Engine stalling

mtpockets · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2006, 07:37 PM

Here's the scoop. Car stalled out this afternoon in traffic. This is my first time in traffic and it was a bit warm. Engine temp reached 95-100c and would not start back up. Let it sit for 10 minutes, started right up. Ran on the freeway back to the house no problems. Got back into town, sat a light for two cycles and died again. Same thing. Let it sit for 10 minutes started right up. Here's the package. 302 with Edlebrock head and intake, Holley 600, MSD ignition. Pretty straight forward, I need help narrowing it down. Anyone have a similar problem in the past? Fuel, overheating the carb and vapor lock? Electrical, ingnition module expanding and causing the shutdown? Still working some minor bugs out. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

rblong · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2006, 07:59 PM

Next time it stalls check for spark and or fuel, That would be a start.

terry251 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2006, 09:29 PM

We had quite a discussion about this last year when the weather started warming up. Many areas of the country require a "winter" formulation for gasoline to cut down on emissions. Usually this means more ethanol which seems to be more prone to vapor locking in warmer weather. In my case, as soon as the winter gas went away (April) the problem disappeared. During the winter, I worked around it by using a quarter tank of Sunoco GT 100 each time I filled up.

Hope this helps!

Terry

TonyMadrid · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2006, 10:20 AM

I had a similar problem last summer, engine didn't stalll, but after shutting it off it wouldn't start until I let it cool down a bit.

It was getting fuel so I suspected an ignition problem, possibly an overheating coil. Changed the coil but problem still existed.

Went onto MSD's site and got some tech help from them. The problem was the module inside the distributor. Bought a new one for about $17.00 and problem was solved.

Tony

Frank Messina · #5 (**permalink**) 03-02-2006, 04:21 PM

Mt,
I went through this exact same drill when I first finished my car. I'd be driving along and it would just quit. Not a real confidence builder. I'll spare you all the gory details and get right to the punchline. Next time it stops running, pull over, turn the key off immediately, remove the air cleaner and move the throttle a bit to see if you have gas in the bowls. If you do you have a faulty ignition. That's what mine turned out to be. Pulled out the HI-6 box and coil and sent it back to Crane and after testing it out they sent me a new unit. Problem solved. Good Luck.
Frank