Okay,
Voltmeter attached to positive post of the coil and a good ground. During idle, readings varied between 24 and 28, almost cyclically.
On steady fuel at an estimated 1800-2000 rpm, engine stalled as before and this was accompanied by a rapid drop on the volts down to 8 then 4 then 2. Restarted fine.
I monkeyed with the timing a bit because I had cleaned the points and regapped them. Probably idling at 500 rpm, a little rough, but did not stall. It ran the entire 30 minutes or so of me messing with the timing and rotating the distributor.
Got back in a revved to a steady 2000 or so for a long time. No stall and same 24-28 readings on the meter.
Took it up the hill. 6 or so times. No stalling and no voltage drop. I rigged the meter so I could see it in the cab.
However, on the downhill of the driveway, in first gear under steady (light) fuel, it dropped to 2 volts and died. Restarted and repeated the test a few more times. Two more stalls going downhill, but not on every roll. Does not seem to matter if I apply foot pressure or not.
So, almost opposite symptoms as before. I am starting to look for the Candid Camera crew…
I went out and bought a new coil today. Is the consensus to go ahead and install it and repeat the tests? I recognize that it is impossible to cover every little quirk of this truck here and I am sure there is something simple at the root of all this. I am currently trying to get repeatable results that may guide my investigation.
Thanks again,
Jim
