Searching for My Dad's 1979 Chevy Suburban

[TheHoundsman]

So, thank you all for your advice and guidance throughout this process. When I returned yesterday, all the parts I had ordered had already arrived. As recommended, I ordered and replaced the Ignition Coil, Ignition Module, Distributor Cap, and Rotor. I messed up the Radio Capacitor during the replacement, so I bought and replaced that as well. I put it all back together and took it for a test drive. It was a perfect run for the first 15 to 20 minutes, which seemed better than ever. I was pulling into the store, and it stalled again. I got it going, and when I pulled onto the highway, it stalled again. I popped the clutch and got it going again, and this happened two more times. Long story short, I got it home, but something is clearly wrong. As you all may remember, I have a new fuel pump, but I didn’t install it since we didn’t think that would be the issue. So I can replace that, and I think I might. (Trying to carpet bomb this thing.) Other than that I truly am at a loss. Any additional advice would be greatly appriciated. I am thinking at this point I might just need to put an EFI system in. Thanks as always. I’ll attach some pics of the work I did today.

 

[TheHoundsman]

Additional pics

 

[TheHoundsman]

Last set

 

[CountKrunk]

Hold off the parts cannon for now id say.

So what are the symptoms? It gets to temp then stalls out randomly? Is it starving for fuel? That would be the first thing i check.

 

[TheHoundsman]

Hold off the parts cannon for now id say.

So what are the symptoms? It gets to temp then stalls out randomly? Is it starving for fuel? That would be the first thing i check.

So it definitely gets to temp. I was driving it for 15 to 20 minutes today before the first stall. It then staled 3 more time in the next 5 minutes. So does that sound like fuel pump. I just don’t know

 

[edgephoto]

When does it stall?

Coming to a stop?
Driving along?
When shifting?
Does it run poorly for a few seconds before stalling?

Have you tested that vacuum advance?
Is the advance working?

Wasting money on EFI is just adding to your problems not helping them.

 

[TheHoundsman]

When does it stall?

Coming to a stop?
Driving along?
When shifting?
Does it run poorly for a few seconds before stalling?

Have you tested that vacuum advance?
Is the advance working?

Wasting money on EFI is just adding to your problems not helping them.

Coming to a stop? Today, it stalled the first time when I was slowing down to pull into the parking lot.

Driving along? After that, it stalled as I was getting on the highway, but I would say it was probably slowing down or at least coasting. I had not noticed when I was giving it gas and keeping the RMPs up, but after the first time, all stalls were when I was driving.

When SHifting? - It could have been when shifting, but to be fair, I did not pay attention to that. I can take it out again tomorrow and check that.

Does it run poorly before stalling? No, it just kind of stalls out of nowhere.

Tested the Vacuum advance? - No, I have not, but I will research that tonight, and I can try to do that

Is the advance working? - I honestly don’t know how to check that, but I will let you know.

EFI—It's good to know I won't be considering that further until I figure out this current issue.

Thanks,

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Coming to a stop? Today, it stalled the first time when I was slowing down to pull into the parking lot.

Driving along? After that, it stalled as I was getting on the highway, but I would say it was probably slowing down or at least coasting. I had not noticed when I was giving it gas and keeping the RMPs up, but after the first time, all stalls were when I was driving.

When SHifting? - It could have been when shifting, but to be fair, I did not pay attention to that. I can take it out again tomorrow and check that.

Does it run poorly before stalling? No, it just kind of stalls out of nowhere.

Tested the Vacuum advance? - No, I have not, but I will research that tonight, and I can try to do that

Is the advance working? - I honestly don’t know how to check that, but I will let you know.

EFI—It's good to know I won't be considering that further until I figure out this current issue.

Thanks,

Did you put the heat resistant grease (stuff in the little clear package) on the metal base of the new module? Also, that vacuum advance looks awful crusty; I would see if it works or not.

 

[TheHoundsman]

Did you put the heat resistant grease (stuff in the little clear package) on the metal base of the new module? Also, that vacuum advance looks awful crusty; I would see if it works or not.

I will definitely replace that tomorrow looks like it is only a $25.00 part

 

[TheHoundsman]

Did you put the heat resistant grease (stuff in the little clear package) on the metal base of the new module? Also, that vacuum advance looks awful crusty; I would see if it works or not.

Sorry also forgot to answer Yes I definetly used the grease packet on the back of the module.

 

[edgephoto]

The vacuum advance is easy to check. While it is idling connect and reconnect vacuum. You should hear the engine change. My guess is the vacuum advance is toast. Not necessarily your stalling issue but you should always fix what you find then move on to the next item.

If it was fuel it would not just shut off without some sort of sign prior. Fuel injected yes but not carb engine.

The mechanical advance is easy to check. Just see if the weights move when you touch them. Did you not check them while inside your distributor?

Somebody mentioned the heat sink paste on the ignition module. Did you replace the module? The usual symptom for a bad module is when the engine is hot ignition shutting off and the vehicle won't restart until the module cools off.

Do you have the idle speed, choke, etc. all set properly. If not, start with making sure they are set properly. This issue could be as simple as the vehicle needs everything functioning and adjusted properly.

 

[TheHoundsman]

Thank you for the advice. I am now going to research how to check Idle Speed and Choke lol. I do appriciate it.

 

[squaredeal91]

I think it's the pickup coil in distributor. It can cause this and it hasn't been replaced yet. Your distributor looks a bit crusty and so is your pickup coil I'm betting.

 

[edgephoto]

I think it's the pickup coil in distributor. It can cause this and it hasn't been replaced yet. Your distributor looks a bit crusty and so is your pickup coil I'm betting.

This is why I asked exactly when it happens. If it was the pickup it would most likely do it at random times but I would not rule it out. If it happens when shifting, coming to a stop or letting off the throttle I would look more towards carburetor adjustment first.

You can buy a whole distributor for $100, brand new.

 

[TheHoundsman]

Well it happened again this morning and it is currently sitting on the side of the road hoepfully “cooling down” enough for me to start it and drive it the 1 mile home. I will absoltly plan on replacing the while distrubutor next. I think at this point I do need to figure out “top dead center” correct