Since your radiator water wasn't hot after the long drive, perhaps the water is not circulating and the engine is cutting out because it's overheating.

Pulling the choke in this over-hot condition will really pour fuel into the cylinders, essentially causing the hot motor to diesel and continue running.

1960 GMC Panel w/ 305 V6, 4 Speed TV Repair Van "The Monitor Lizard"
1961 Chevy Apache 20 283, 4 Speed, Hydrovac
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