I'm inclined to believe it has something to do with the dist. Like Fixite says when the advance goes in it moves the pickup coil. It is opening the continuity or shorting it.
I believe Cardone is "reman" stuff. It is a good brand but you never can tell about "reman" parts. I'd unplug the pickup coil from the module & hook a VOM or self powered test light & move wires & the advance. Test for the coil wires to ground. If it is a "reman" they may not have replaced the pickup coil.
A small vacuum leak like the 3/16 hose to the advance will not cause an engine to die.
George


They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing.
1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne Super
In the Gallery Forum