Instant shut down. Please help!!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Instant shut down. Please help!!!
Please help. I just took my 71 454 out of storage yesterday,( I used "Stabil"). The engine started up just fine. Ran just fine. Took it around the block to test brakes, ETC. before a good test drive, everything was normal. Took it for a bit longer test drive, (all was normal), turned it off, tried to start it again 10 miutes later. Would catch when cranked, than instantly shut off on its own. As though I shut it off! Not sputter, an die like a fuel issue, but cut out like an electrical issue. Tried again this A.M. Same thing, will catch for 1 second, that cut out! Can anyone assist? Switched over to HEI. New fuel filter last year, jus FYI.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
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Shows lil over 8 when cranking to the distributor. I put the HEI in some years ago, an have not changed anything since this problem arose. Do these cars still have the ballast resistor? I an unsure where the power wire to the distributor originates, as it dumps in to the wiring harness, an a mass of electrical tape. Thanx for your assistance!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Shows lil over 8 when cranking to the distributor. I put the HEI in some years ago, an have not changed anything since this problem arose. Do these cars still have the ballast resistor? I an unsure where the power wire to the distributor originates, as it dumps in to the wiring harness, an a mass of electrical tape. Thanx for your assistance!!!
the wire is resistance.
should have went to a full 12v wire for hei.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
NO ballast for a HEI...it takes 12 volts to the cap.
Check and see if you have spark at one or more of your spark plugs. If no spark...it will be internal distributor issue. Pick-up coil or cap/rotor...or ignition coil. If you have spark..then it could be fuel related or still timing issue...that is if the distributor is loose.
If your HEI has a vacuum advance...you could have an issue with it where the advance weight area of the distributor is stuck and will not "pop" back. You should be able to rotate by hand the weight plate and release it and it goes back into un-sprung position. If you do not understand this....put a clean hose on the end of your vacuum advance pod...suck on the clean end of the hose and watch the advance weights and plate rotate...and you will have to use your tongue to close off the end of the hose so you can get enough vacuum by mouth to get it to pull shut. Then let your tongue off the hose and it should pop back. OR...if you have a vacuum pump...use it.
DUB
Check and see if you have spark at one or more of your spark plugs. If no spark...it will be internal distributor issue. Pick-up coil or cap/rotor...or ignition coil. If you have spark..then it could be fuel related or still timing issue...that is if the distributor is loose.
If your HEI has a vacuum advance...you could have an issue with it where the advance weight area of the distributor is stuck and will not "pop" back. You should be able to rotate by hand the weight plate and release it and it goes back into un-sprung position. If you do not understand this....put a clean hose on the end of your vacuum advance pod...suck on the clean end of the hose and watch the advance weights and plate rotate...and you will have to use your tongue to close off the end of the hose so you can get enough vacuum by mouth to get it to pull shut. Then let your tongue off the hose and it should pop back. OR...if you have a vacuum pump...use it.
DUB
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
DUB
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
First off let me shout out a great big thank you to everyone for their assistance. Next, I will run my own 10 gauge wire from the keyed side of the fuse block. Do you think I should run an inline voltage spike filter on the distributor?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
You need to be careful...IF you plan on pulling a wire off of your fuse panel that is going to be attached or inserted to the IGN port in your fuse panel. REMEMBER this port is FUSED. SO the fuse beside it gives it power. And if that fuse blows...you have NO IGNITION.
I have never seen a spike filter from GM for power going into the distributor.
I usually get my 12 switched power off of the wiring going to your ignition switch mounted on top of your steering column. Pain in the backside....but I have never had a problem in the many I have done.
DUB
I have never seen a spike filter from GM for power going into the distributor.
I usually get my 12 switched power off of the wiring going to your ignition switch mounted on top of your steering column. Pain in the backside....but I have never had a problem in the many I have done.
DUB