The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 cutting out while driving

the truck runs fine at idle and drives fine but when I'm in 2nd or 3rd the engine starts to chug like its out of fuel and just shuts off. I checked my fuel filters and they were dirty but I cleaned them out and the problem continues. I also went to the gas station and the truck has plenty of fuel. Does anyone have a clue what's going on. runs fine for about a half a mile and then the problem starts all over again.

I had the same problem about 2 years ago. I rebuilt the carb and changed the fuel filters and the problem continued. It ended up being the distributor. I bought another one from NAPA and problem solved. The weird thing is that while sitting at idle no problems. 1st gear, no problem. But under load in 2nd and 3rd is where it acted up. I could have sworn it was a fuel problem but it wasn't.....

Good to know.

Check vac advance. Does ur heat riser work? Can you see the carb squirting gas when you work the throttle? Do you have a manual or auto choke? Vac leaks?

I don't know since I have a hood on it. I plugged the vac. line from the manifold to the wipers. I don't know of any other vac. lines I have a manual choke but my cable broke and It's been running fine without using it. I just let it warm up and its fine.

you have a hood on it? is that what you meant to say?

Have you cleaned the gas tank?

There is. Vac advance line running from carb to the vacuum advance next to the distributor. Try starting your engine and then lift the hood and stand on passenger side, look down at fistributer and then move the throttle with your hand. Does the distributed spin at all? It should a 1/8 of a turn or so, every time u work throttle. Do you have a fuel filter you can see?

for a quick try you might changed the condenser..

Could also be a short in the ignition wire going to the coil. Try bypassing it.

I have checked the tank and it looked pretty clean. I have two fuel filters and one of the filters was dirty but I cleaned it out. After cleaning it still has the problem.

my truck ran flawlessly for 25 years, then all of a sudden one day gas just started pouring out the carburetor, I checked the float levels and needle valve, it worked fine one day, then it wouldn't work fine the next, I put another carburetor on it it did the same thing, , redid the original carb, but this time I actually took measurements of the float position in relation to the bowl, it was sticking to the bottom when the gas dried out (the first one I still can't figure out.) Then it just ran very poorly, so I replaced plugs wires, rotor, coil, everything. I ran brand new fuel line all the way from the tank to the carb with 2 filters, I tried pertronix, I even tried one of my brand new webers, nothing worked, then one day it just started purring, I have not a clue....

might be a small crack in a gas line or a vaccum leak some where
I still think it is electrical but...

I'm with you Joker. I think it might be electrical as well. Your problem bert sounds just like the problem I had that I mentioned in my first post above. I would take a good look at your distributor, coil, condensor, etc.