1986 C10 Stalling - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68longhorn · 10-07-2018, 09:36 PM

I have a 1986 C10, it still has the original 305 with a qjet but the original esc distributor is gone. I was driving today and the truck surged a little bit then stalled. I pulled over and it cranked but wouldn't start. I had no tools so I took off the air cleaner and looked down the carb while pushing the throttle linkage and there is fuel spraying. I then hit the key and it fired up. I drove a few miles and it did the same thing. Again it wouldn't start, tried pumping the gas pedal with no luck. I popped the hood and pressed what i believe is the accelerator pump directly and it squirted fuel and the truck fired right up. I repeated that process the rest of the way home. What should I be checking? It feels fuel related but the carb has fuel so I am lost

geezer#99 · 10-07-2018, 10:21 PM

Maybe the module in the distributor.
They act like that.

68longhorn · 10-07-2018, 10:39 PM

I sure hope not, the whole distributor is about 2 months old.

Would it restart less than 30 seconds after stalling if its a module issue? Most time don't ignition faults just die and not sputter first?

Bandit130 · 10-07-2018, 10:47 PM

What type of distributor is in it now?

geezer#99 · 10-07-2018, 10:48 PM

Sometimes they act like that. A quick cool and fire up again.
You should have a spare anyway.
I used to carry a complete spare distributor. Just in case!

68longhorn · 10-07-2018, 11:14 PM

I put in a MSD Streetfire recently after my original distributor had the pickup coil fail. I've been driving sbc motors daily for 15 years and never had a module fail, is it that common?

geezer#99 · 10-07-2018, 11:22 PM

Seems to be getting more common.
You do know that MSD reliability has gone down hill.

68longhorn · 10-07-2018, 11:27 PM

I've heard that. Put the same unit in my brothers truck a couple years ago and its been trouble free for 20k miles.

Is there a way to test this theory or just swap parts?

andyh1956 · 10-07-2018, 11:40 PM

Since you stated that the acc pump works then the fuel pump must be working.
You also state that pumping the throttle (Which manipulates the acc pump) keeps the engine running & you did that all the way home.
These symptoms would suggest to me that main metering is clogged up in the carb.
Pop the top offa that baby & have a look inside!

geezer#99 · 10-07-2018, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68longhorn

I've heard that. Put the same unit in my brothers truck a couple years ago and its been trouble free for 20k miles.

Is there a way to test this theory or just swap parts?

You can get the module tested but I’ve heard they’ll pass and still act up.
You might need to throw some parts at it.
You can buy a complete hei on eBay for not much more than a module costs.

68longhorn · 10-08-2018, 05:53 AM

Andy pumping the throttle doesn't keep it running. It still stalls, pump the gas pedal and won't start. Pop the hood, push on the accelerator pump 3 times and it fires up instantly until the next episode

68longhorn · 10-08-2018, 05:55 AM

Geezer thats why i replaced the whole distributor when the pickup coil failed.

I will pickup a inline spark tester today, that way i can see if it is sparking when it first dies

andyh1956 · 10-08-2018, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68longhorn

Andy pumping the throttle doesn't keep it running. It still stalls, pump the gas pedal and won't start. Pop the hood, push on the accelerator pump 3 times and it fires up instantly until the next episode

Oh OK I mis-understood your symptom analysis! Silly Me!

I thought as long as you were pumping the throttle it would stay running.
That's a chainsaw of a different color!

68longhorn · 10-08-2018, 10:31 PM

Update...

I replaced the fuel filter, and no fuel dripped out during removal, and installed an inline spark tester. I drove it around and it stalls on heavy acceleration only but starts right up immediately after stalling. So i haven't figured it out yet

geezer#99 · 10-09-2018, 12:24 AM

Have you checked your timing?

Dead Parrot · 10-09-2018, 07:05 AM

Double check all the rubber suction lines between the tank(s) and the fuel pump. A small air leak in one can cause intermittent running issues. If they are original, they are end of life anyway. An accel pump will work even if the fuel level in the carb is low.

Might double check the power to the HEI. Corrosion or a size mis-match between the power wire end and dizzy terminal can cause an problem. I wouldn't trust the newer China stuff to have the proper terminal size or coating to resist corrosion.

68longhorn · 10-10-2018, 09:54 PM

I replaced the fuel pump this evening. The truck fired up faster than it had in a while and ran great with no problems.

setandreel · 10-14-2018, 01:52 PM

mines doing just about the same thing except you have to wait 20 or 30 min. and she starts right up, I replaced the ign mod didn't help.

10-07-2018, 09:36 PM	#1
68longhorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,123	1986 C10 Stalling I have a 1986 C10, it still has the original 305 with a qjet but the original esc distributor is gone. I was driving today and the truck surged a little bit then stalled. I pulled over and it cranked but wouldn't start. I had no tools so I took off the air cleaner and looked down the carb while pushing the throttle linkage and there is fuel spraying. I then hit the key and it fired up. I drove a few miles and it did the same thing. Again it wouldn't start, tried pumping the gas pedal with no luck. I popped the hood and pressed what i believe is the accelerator pump directly and it squirted fuel and the truck fired right up. I repeated that process the rest of the way home. What should I be checking? It feels fuel related but the carb has fuel so I am lost __________________ 1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project Last edited by 68longhorn; 10-07-2018 at 11:35 PM.

10-07-2018, 10:21 PM	#2
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,736	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Maybe the module in the distributor. They act like that.

10-07-2018, 10:39 PM	#3
68longhorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling I sure hope not, the whole distributor is about 2 months old. Would it restart less than 30 seconds after stalling if its a module issue? Most time don't ignition faults just die and not sputter first? __________________ 1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project

10-07-2018, 10:47 PM	#4
Bandit130 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Euless, Texas Posts: 520	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling What type of distributor is in it now? __________________ 1974 Cheyenne 10 LWB Stock 350 W/HEI /TH350/AC/4 BBL Quadrajet Mopar by Birth Chevy by Choice

10-07-2018, 10:48 PM	#5
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,736	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Sometimes they act like that. A quick cool and fire up again. You should have a spare anyway. I used to carry a complete spare distributor. Just in case!

10-07-2018, 11:14 PM	#6
68longhorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling I put in a MSD Streetfire recently after my original distributor had the pickup coil fail. I've been driving sbc motors daily for 15 years and never had a module fail, is it that common? __________________ 1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project

10-07-2018, 11:22 PM	#7
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,736	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Seems to be getting more common. You do know that MSD reliability has gone down hill.

10-07-2018, 11:27 PM	#8
68longhorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling I've heard that. Put the same unit in my brothers truck a couple years ago and its been trouble free for 20k miles. Is there a way to test this theory or just swap parts? __________________ 1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project

10-07-2018, 11:40 PM	#9
andyh1956 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: thomastown mississippi Posts: 1,261	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Since you stated that the acc pump works then the fuel pump must be working. You also state that pumping the throttle (Which manipulates the acc pump) keeps the engine running & you did that all the way home. These symptoms would suggest to me that main metering is clogged up in the carb. Pop the top offa that baby & have a look inside!

10-08-2018, 05:53 AM	#11
68longhorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Andy pumping the throttle doesn't keep it running. It still stalls, pump the gas pedal and won't start. Pop the hood, push on the accelerator pump 3 times and it fires up instantly until the next episode __________________ 1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project

10-08-2018, 05:55 AM	#12
68longhorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Geezer thats why i replaced the whole distributor when the pickup coil failed. I will pickup a inline spark tester today, that way i can see if it is sparking when it first dies __________________ 1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project

10-08-2018, 10:31 PM	#14
68longhorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Update... I replaced the fuel filter, and no fuel dripped out during removal, and installed an inline spark tester. I drove it around and it stalls on heavy acceleration only but starts right up immediately after stalling. So i haven't figured it out yet __________________ 1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project

10-09-2018, 12:24 AM	#15
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,736	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Have you checked your timing?

10-09-2018, 07:05 AM	#16
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,620	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling Double check all the rubber suction lines between the tank(s) and the fuel pump. A small air leak in one can cause intermittent running issues. If they are original, they are end of life anyway. An accel pump will work even if the fuel level in the carb is low. Might double check the power to the HEI. Corrosion or a size mis-match between the power wire end and dizzy terminal can cause an problem. I wouldn't trust the newer China stuff to have the proper terminal size or coating to resist corrosion.

10-10-2018, 09:54 PM	#17
68longhorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,123	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling I replaced the fuel pump this evening. The truck fired up faster than it had in a while and ran great with no problems. __________________ 1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project



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10-14-2018, 01:52 PM	#18
setandreel Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Concord N.C. Posts: 115	Re: 1986 C10 Stalling mines doing just about the same thing except you have to wait 20 or 30 min. and she starts right up, I replaced the ign mod didn't help.

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