The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop "55 series 2, runs then dies

Given what you have told us, I think Drew is barking up the right tree. If your truck can start and idle all day long then it dies while driving, it is either fuel or timing. Timing is the more common for a runnin truck.

Instead of your wife towing, have her rev the engine while you watch the distributer. When reved, it should turn to the left a little, then be able to return to the original position when it returns to idle. That may be the issue, the vacuum advance may work, but could be binding on the dizzy so it does not return to idle vacuum quick enough causing the engine to stall.