79 engine died when running--now won't start--help!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: PA USA
79 engine died when running--now won't start--help!
First problem with my 1979 
I was going up a steep hill in 2nd gear when the engine bucked like it had bad gas. Continued for a few hunred yards to the top, then shifted to drive, a few feet later the engine dies and I coasted off the road. My gas was from last year, but had a perservative in it and was hi test. I had driven 70 miles and refueled several days before and had drived about 50 more miles. I was going about 20 - 25 mph whwn it bucked and continued that speed or a little slower till the top of the hill and took my foot off the gas and it stalled after shfting to drive on the level. It now turns over, but won't start. I was running, so I don't think its the starter. Any help out there!!!!
I was going up a steep hill in 2nd gear when the engine bucked like it had bad gas. Continued for a few hunred yards to the top, then shifted to drive, a few feet later the engine dies and I coasted off the road. My gas was from last year, but had a perservative in it and was hi test. I had driven 70 miles and refueled several days before and had drived about 50 more miles. I was going about 20 - 25 mph whwn it bucked and continued that speed or a little slower till the top of the hill and took my foot off the gas and it stalled after shfting to drive on the level. It now turns over, but won't start. I was running, so I don't think its the starter. Any help out there!!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: PA USA
High mileage answer, plus one more thing.
It has 36935 mile. Know the car since 1980. Actual miles.
Truly feel this is electrical, have all power in the car working,ie. windows,clock, rdio,etc. Had a Datsun one time that would act a little like this. It would shut off even at 65 mph on the highway and wouldn't start then, but after varying times would start and run fine. Nothing ever showed at the garage, but found by accident. It turned out to be a plug on the firewall got dirty and I cleaned with a toothbrush--never had the problem again till I quit running it. This happened with about 125,000 miles on it and it lasted another 100,000 plus. The only diference between the two was my Vette still won't start. Could it be in the distributor? Thanx 4 ur help!! Please think some more. I misss my vette.
Truly feel this is electrical, have all power in the car working,ie. windows,clock, rdio,etc. Had a Datsun one time that would act a little like this. It would shut off even at 65 mph on the highway and wouldn't start then, but after varying times would start and run fine. Nothing ever showed at the garage, but found by accident. It turned out to be a plug on the firewall got dirty and I cleaned with a toothbrush--never had the problem again till I quit running it. This happened with about 125,000 miles on it and it lasted another 100,000 plus. The only diference between the two was my Vette still won't start. Could it be in the distributor? Thanx 4 ur help!! Please think some more. I misss my vette.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Like stated before start with the basics, fuel then spark. Try starter fluid to see if it fires if not then it most likely is spark, check for fire from the plugs, if no fire start with the ign module.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Fevre
Like stated before start with the basics, fuel then spark. Try starter fluid to see if it fires if not then it most likely is spark, check for fire from the plugs, if no fire start with the ign module.
especially if it's a lower mileage car. 40K miles ain't much for a small block timing chain so my first post can/should be disregarded. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Check fuel, then spark. If no spark, do yourself a favor and use a service manual and multi-meter to track down the problem, don't just start replacing likely parts. I had to do it that way on a recent road trip (no tools / manual). $300: new module, distributor, coil, cap and rotor. In the end, I think it may have been a stripped out screw hole on the cap that was not grounding the coil. God bless, Sensei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Also-Check the disti HEI middle contact that fits up in the disti cap. This wears and will get too short and then suddenly no spark.
I would replace the cap and rotor if in doubt.
Brent.....
I would replace the cap and rotor if in doubt.
Brent.....
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