Engine problems...again...

Hey guys.. well this old sbc 350 is giving me more problems It was running great, minus a little blowback. I took it to the shop at the end of the street the other day to have some cooper stt's put on and parked it back in the driveway. Well today I changed my transmission fluid, and then started her up to put some "no smoke" in the engine to help with the blowback. Problem is, I didn't get a chance to put the "no smoke" in, because the engine died as soon as it warmed up. No sputtering, no nothing, just died. It ran fine for about 2 minutes. The old girl wouldn't start again until the engine cooled down. Next time it bogged down a little before it died. Any ideas? I've searched the web high and low, and couldn't come up with any answers. I've recently put in a new cs130 alternator, new fuel pump, and new carburetor (Qjet). There is fuel getting to the carb. It was running fine up until today. I'm guessing maybe it's a worn out thermostat? I have a new radiator waiting to be installed, so I'll be able to take care of that with the install. I'd like to get a head start on this issue, just in case it isn't the thermostat. I don't really have any reason to believe it is the Tstat, other than an uneducated guess. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

Is it getting spark?

HEI ignition?

 

I don't know how to check if it's getting spark. I just found a post on the internet saying that the symptoms of a bad ignition module would be that it runs fine cold, and dies when heating up. So I'd bet you're right. Is that something I can replace in the distributor, or would I just buy a whole new distributor? I bought this jeep so I could learn how to work on cars. It's perfect for me because everything needs fixing!

 

Have a friend (must be one who doesn't know much about cars) come over and carefully place each of the plug wires over 8 of his fingers, then tell him to stand still and see if the engine moves when you turn the key...

 

Pull a sparkplug and reconnect the plugwire. Ground said plug to the block by putting it against the block and turn over the motor. You should see a blue spark. Oh yeah do this wearing leather gloves or you might find out personally how many volts your coil puts out.

 

Sounds very much like an ignition module or coil pickup in the distributor if you have HEI. Could also be an ignition coil.

 

You could always ground it to your tongue as well..... surefire way to tell if you are getting a spark

 

Agreed it would. Best place to perform this test is the parking lot of your local Emergency Room, BTW.

 

You should also check and make sure your carburetor choke is opening all the way once warm.

 

and NEVER be friends with THIS guy......

 

R)