Register now to get rid of these ads!

Stalls while driving

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Valley III, Sep 9, 2008.

  1. Valley III
    Joined: Aug 15, 2008
    Posts: 31

    Valley III
    Member

    54 developed a problem today. maybe you guys can help?

    Driving down the highway today, cruisin right along around 50-55, and the truck starts to putter then stalls. I end up coming to a complete stop, then turning it over it, the battery starts draining, no start, I get a jump from someone, 20 minutes later, and it starts right up very strong. Later on the highway again, putters, like its going to die, I tap the accelerator a bunch, downshift, whatever works, I barely made it home.
    runnin a 235/rochester/ 12v with alternator
    I'm sure the carb could use a rebuilding, the coil is pretty old, what do you guys think?
     
  2. vapor lock or a coil that is heating up
     
  3. Saxon
    Joined: Aug 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,155

    Saxon
    Member
    from MN

    Coil most likely.
     
  4. kenymac
    Joined: May 8, 2008
    Posts: 40

    kenymac
    Member

    I have had problems with more than one GM cars of that era similar to what you have and it ended up being the fuel pick up screen in the gas tank being plugged up and would run just fine for awhile and then start starving for fuel until you let it sit for a few minutes then run fine for awhile and then do it again. They had a very fine mesh screen at the tank pick up. If the coil doesn't fix the problem then you might want to check it out.
     
  5. TraderJack
    Joined: Apr 10, 2008
    Posts: 330

    TraderJack
    Member

    If by puttering you mean it started slowing down, losing power, and then stopped, I would look at fuel filter, fuel pump, etc.

    Usually these things more than coils.

    Why, do I say that? In my 70 years of driving I have never had a coil go bad while driving, points, yes, but almost always fuel starvation.

    traderjack
     
  6. BaltoBeater
    Joined: May 30, 2008
    Posts: 74

    BaltoBeater
    Member

    GM one wire I assume? How do you have it hooked up/ wired?
     
  7. Valley III
    Joined: Aug 15, 2008
    Posts: 31

    Valley III
    Member

    Coils an old Delco, looks pretty aged..
    points, wires, and plugs are brand new,
    Fuel pump has the glass perculator filter on top which looks perfectly clean through the glass. But does also have a big ol ac filter mounted to the firewall, I found out were installed most times to prevent vapor lock?
    Has a 2 wire alternator, could be something going on there, maybe I should remove that and have it tested?
     
  8. lowkroozer
    Joined: Jun 1, 2006
    Posts: 601

    lowkroozer
    Member

    If not electrical go to the screen in the fuel tank . Make sure tank is clean and pour some stabile fuel additive in it. Also check and make sure that any part of gas line that is rubber is replaced. Over the years they collapse on the inside and cut off fuel.
     
  9. skwurl
    Joined: Aug 25, 2008
    Posts: 1,620

    skwurl
    Member

    Junk in the carb. Had similar problems with my wife's comet
     
  10. fiftyv8
    Joined: Mar 11, 2007
    Posts: 5,401

    fiftyv8
    Member
    from CO & WA

    Try all the stuff that can block up filters wise 1st fuel line, tank, air filter & carb.
    Also look for loose or wires with exposed copper.
    If this fails, then start swapping things out, start with coil, fuel pump and so on.
    Had a GMC pickup that used to do that too me every time I got in the out side lane doing 70 mph in heavy traffic, it is character building!
     
  11. Robert gilbert
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 927

    Robert gilbert
    Member
    from boston

    Its not getting gas id guess .check the fuel filter ,fuel pump
     
  12. HemiRambler
    Joined: Aug 26, 2005
    Posts: 4,207

    HemiRambler
    Member

  13. slamdpup
    Joined: Apr 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,094

    slamdpup
    Member

    what kind of coil do you have...ive had the same problem with autozone and advance auto coils..my problem was cheap coils geting to hot..
     
  14. gonzo
    Joined: Dec 24, 2003
    Posts: 1,894

    gonzo
    Member

    Fuel tank not venting. Your gas cap vent may not be clear. If it happens again pull over (like you have any other choice) and pull off the cap. If you hear a swoosh coming from the tank you know thats your problem. Good Luck
    John
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.