Engine problem**got her home, new brake question

[dfl701]

so i was driving to lowes tonight and everything was fine, but on the way out of the parking lot my truck started sputtering and died. i thought it was gas, but i but some in and nothing, tried starting fluid on the carb, nothing. so im stuck. it will turnover, so i know its not the starter or battery. but what could it be? i know this is a long shot but any thoughts?
anything would be great, shes sitting in lowes parking lot and i dont want anyone to mess with her

 

[NewUser]

depending on year id say either coil or ignition module

 

[dfl701]

its a 83 k5 with the 350

 

[4X4HIGH]

Check for spark, if none then i would change the ignition module. GM's are notorious for the modules going bad, i keep a spare in my box. Easy to change on the side of the road with a screw driver (to remove distributor cap) and a small socket (to remove module).

 

[dfl701]

i guess ill do that first thing. i hate it something told me to take the other truck tonight. ha

 

[4X4HIGH]

Well the good thing is the module is pretty cheap and very easy to change.

 

[dfl701]

yea i hope thats all it could be.i guess good thing is nobody can really try to steal the truck since it wont crank

 

[GNERGY]

I had a problem with my 81 burb, it would run for 20 min. then act like it ran out of gas. Let it sit for a while and it would start and run fine for another 15 to 20 min and die. So after changing fuel pump, ignition module, new fuel lines, dropping the tank to find it clean and sock still good, new coil. Finally changed the pick up coil in the distributor and it was good to go. A $16. part after all that work.
Tarey

 

[dfl701]

i figure its either in the ignition somewhere or something to do with not getting gas. but im leaning towards the ignition, i hope its only a 16 dollar part

 

[4X4HIGH]

The module will cost you between $30.00-40.00. Since you said you can pour gas down the carb and it still won't start that means it should be a no spark issue.

 

[dfl701]

yea im glad you said that cuz im really thinking that may be it now. it tries to start just fine, just wont start

 

[4X4HIGH]

Aside from any bad wiring there are three basic items that could fail and cause a no spark issue. In the most probable order is, ignition module, pick-up coil, ignition coil. Rarely does an ignition coil go bad but the module is the first to go with the pick-up coil trailing behind it. I always like to replace the module and pick-up coil at the same time just to be safe. The pick-up coil however isn't as easy to change since the distributor has to come out and ALL THE WAY apart in order to change it.

 

[dfl701]

well i bought the truck a couple of months ago so i wanted to do a tune up anyway, so in a sense that would work out IF thats the problem. i just went to lowes and locked her down though, hopefully tomorrow i can tear into her after work

 

[RedBrute]

One other thing I have found on HEI trucks is if the rotor is a cheap replacement the coil lead in the center can short thru the rotor to the distributor shaft. I've had this happen twice to me on 2 different vehicles over the years. Simple to replace.

 

[NewUser]

The pick-up coil however isn't as easy to change since the distributor has to come out and ALL THE WAY apart in order to change it.

mine didnt....heres how i changed my pickup coil step by step


1) raise hood
2)removed distributor
3)walk from back door of Oreilly's to front counter
4)remove new distributor from box on shelf


reassembly is reverse of disassembly

 

[dfl701]

ok got an update. found out insurance covers towing so i went ahead and got them to bring it home, got there and she fired right up! but i know something is still wrong so tomorrow i gotta look at it.
however, when i was getting her off the tow truck, looks like one of the brake cylinders in the rear left drum went out! brake fluid every where!so another question, who has done the rear disk conversion and what would the cost be? i saw one company, i wanna say DIY4X, used a 76 Cadillac caliber and such, any thoughts?