Confused, 2 Condensers? 230 6cyl dies

[Old65C10]

I recently resurrected this 1965 C10 with a 230 6cyl. It had been sitting a long time. I did al the normal stuff, fluids, brakes, etc.
I replaced the spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor and the condenser in the distributor. This got it running and it was running good for several weeks.
It was running good, but now it will just die. Like you shut if off. Wait a few minutes and it will start again, run for 5 minutes or so and die.
So, I figured it must be the coil. I saw that there is what I assumed a condenser on the coil, so I got a coil and condenser and installed them.
I think it is worse now. No power, want to die, etc.
What is that thing that looks like a condenser attached to the coil? I'm going to guess it is not the condenser I replaced it with.
At this point I am very temped to just put an HEI distributor in it. If you have any suggestions, or where to get a decent drop in HEI, I would be very thankful.

[franken]

The one on the coil is probably an RF filter for the radio. It isn't vital.
You could be losing power to the coil. Maybe try temporarily powering it directly and/or tracing it back to see if there's a loose connection. I think the resistor wire runs to the other terminal on the solenoid.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Old65C10

I recently resurrected this 1965 C10 with a 230 6cyl. It had been sitting a long time. I did al the normal stuff, fluids, brakes, etc.
I replaced the spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor and the condenser in the distributor. This got it running and it was running good for several weeks.
It was running good, but now it will just die. Like you shut if off. Wait a few minutes and it will start again, run for 5 minutes or so and die.
So, I figured it must be the coil. I saw that there is what I assumed a condenser on the coil, so I got a coil and condenser and installed them.
I think it is worse now. No power, want to die, etc.
What is that thing that looks like a condenser attached to the coil? I'm going to guess it is not the condenser I replaced it with.
At this point I am very temped to just put an HEI distributor in it. If you have any suggestions, or where to get a decent drop in HEI, I would be very thankful.

That looks like a heat-related problem with the ignition system. I'd personally go through the wiring and clean up all the connections, including the bulkhead connector. Are there any stray wires going to weird places? When I got my truck, the CB radio was long gone, but there were #12 power wires going to nowhere, under the seat carpet. I'd suggest looking carefully at all the wiring, and making sure that it goes where it is supposed to go. This is one tedious job, believe me! But on a truck this age, there can't be that many wires.

Like Franken said, that capacitor on the side of the coil is for RF noise suppression. If you suspect that it is a problem, just take it off, as it only affects the AM radio. Probably not the problem though, since it didn't change the stalling issue.

[Old65C10]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

That looks like a heat-related problem with the ignition system. I'd personally go through the wiring and clean up all the connections, including the bulkhead connector. Are there any stray wires going to weird places? When I got my truck, the CB radio was long gone, but there were #12 power wires going to nowhere, under the seat carpet. I'd suggest looking carefully at all the wiring, and making sure that it goes where it is supposed to go. This is one tedious job, believe me! But on a truck this age, there can't be that many wires.

Like Franken said, that capacitor on the side of the coil is for RF noise suppression. If you suspect that it is a problem, just take it off, as it only affects the AM radio. Probably not the problem though, since it didn't change the stalling issue.

Thanks. One of the reasons I was so excited to get this truck is how original and unmolested it is. This truck is bone stock down to the original AM radio. No extra wires, no mods, nothing. It is also a base model. Small window, no trim, 6 cyl 3 speed column shift, etc. So, tracking unwanted/unneeded wires will be easy, there are no extra wires.
I will have to pull the bulkhead connector and check it, I suppose it could be loose, dirty, etc.
I did clean all the wires going to the coil and distributor. I mistakenly installed the condenser I got on the coil, I will remove it and just leave it off, the old one is gone anyway. (the radio still works, but the speaker is shot and no AM stations around)
As franken suggested, I will try straight power to the coil and see if that fixes it, it will narrow down where the issue might be.

[AcampoDave]

Did you check the fuel tank pick up tube? It has a finger screen on it that can get plugged up from nasty old gasoline and such.

[Old65C10]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

Did you check the fuel tank pick up tube? It has a finger screen on it that can get plugged up from nasty old gasoline and such.

I will check it. However, it feels like ignition as it does not sputter or loose power, it shuts off like you just turned off the key.
The fuel gauge does not work, so I need to pull it out anyway. (tank was full when these problems happen)

[Wrenchbender Ret]

You didn't mention the points. If the rubbing block on the points is worn down to a point were they barely open they can be effected by heat. I would not put a jumper wire to the coil without using a resister. If the points are ok now they won't be when you do that.
The HEI from any engine in that era, 196-230-250-292 will fit that. 1975 up. The 75-77 models had an external coil but is still a good system. 1978 to early 80's had the coil in cap. From about mid 80's they were computer controlled. You don't want that one.

George