help! truck backfired & stalled

[andys70c10]

See if you mechanics could help me here, I was driving home tonight, the truck was running fine well I'm almost home & the truck starts slowing down so I pushed the gas pedal & the truck backfired about 2 times, luckily I was almost home & it coasted in the driveway, now it just turns over & every once in awhile acts like it wants to crank. The truck has a 350 crate motor with a 2bbl. it has also been converted to hei. Any thougts & how do I check for spark etc?

[berencam]

you can buy a spark checker at any parts store, sounds kinda like a stuck float on the carb to me...

[cdowns]

to check for spark take a plug out put it on exhaust or intake manifold and turn motor over// how old is the timing chain?

[andys70c10]

motor probably only has about 20,000 miles on it, my dad thinks its the ignition module in the distributor? I'm about to check for spark now

[andys70c10]

ok i pulled a plug & grounded it to the motor & I see no spark, so it probably is the module right? my dad says its a pita because you have to pull the distributor, how about some help here guys. at least give me more responses than somebody wanting to know about a ford 352.

[89 crew]

You don't have to pull the distributer for a module. You do have to pull it for the pickup coil. I would start with the module. take it to an auto parts store and have it tested.

[andys70c10]

ok dumb ? where is the module & how do I get to it? also a pic would help. Thanks

[cdowns]

before taking out module check that the supply wire to it is a live 12volts because it wont work with no power to it

[89 crew]

The module is located under the distributer cap. It looks like the one in this link. http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip,.../selectZip.htm

While you have the cap open, check the rotor ( be sure to check the bottom side for arching to the center shaft), cap, and the button under the coil.

[70c10]

Originally Posted by cdowns

before taking out module check that the supply wire to it is a live 12volts because it wont work with no power to it

This might be the problem! On the drivers side of the HEI (along the bottom edge of the housing) you have a tach terminal and a Bat terminal. Make sure your connector for the bat didn't pop off or come loose!

[andys70c10]

I am going to check my power wire, but I believe instead of changing parts in th dist. I am going to buy me one of those $45 distributors off ebay & replace the whole thing.

[89 crew]

There is no guarantee that the distributer is the problem. That is the reason I was reccomending testing parts. By the original description it could be a fuel problem and the plug just wasn't grounding when you tested for spark. I hate to throw parts at a truck cause I don't know what the problem is. I don't mind testing parts to verify a problem.

[andys70c10]

Originally Posted by 89 crew

There is no guarantee that the distributer is the problem. That is the reason I was reccomending testing parts. By the original description it could be a fuel problem and the plug just wasn't grounding when you tested for spark. I hate to throw parts at a truck cause I don't know what the problem is. I don't mind testing parts to verify a problem.

well I pulled the plug out & grounded it, but then the haynes manual said to just pull a wire off & hold it about 1/4'' off something metal & it would spark, I tried that to & nothing. I also checked & have 12v going to the dist. & had my old module tested & it tested ok. The inside of my old dist. looks a little iffy, there is actually some frayed wiring going to the module plug, so I,m pretty sure thats it but even if not it can't hurt.

[68gmsee]

My old 69 Chevy had a problem HEI distributor that did the same. It would act up and I never found out what the problem was. I went to a junkyard and got one for $20. That was about 10 yrs ago. Still doing good.

Good luck and let us know what you find..

[89 crew]

Where the module is good I am going to guess those frayed wires you saw go to the pickup coil. There is a procedure to test a pickup coil, Don't remember the ohm range for good and bad right now. but if it is bad it can cause all sorts of problems including no start. You have to pull the distributer to work on it.

[andys70c10]

Originally Posted by 89 crew

Where the module is good I am going to guess those frayed wires you saw go to the pickup coil. There is a procedure to test a pickup coil, Don't remember the ohm range for good and bad right now. but if it is bad it can cause all sorts of problems including no start. You have to pull the distributer to work on it.

yes the haynes manual tells you how, I also tested my coil & it is good also, like i said if I'm going to pull the dist. anyway & mine looks kinda raggedy in there, i am ordering 1 from skip white on ebay. Thanks for everybodys help