The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 that stops running

I HAVE A 54 235 TRUCK ENG THAT HAS A HABIT OF DYING WHEN RUNNING ABOUT 35, MOST OF THE TIME IT HAS TO COME TO A COMPLET STOP TO RESTART, IT IS A 4 SPEED BUT RE CLUTCH IT DOES NO GOOD, TRUCK WILL RESTART AFTER A MIN OR SO. OTHER WISE RUNS GOOD, STARTS GOOD, BUT JUST DIES WHEN EVER IT WANTS TO.
IT DOES HAVE 12VOLT SYSTEM,MALLARY ELECTRONIC DIST AND COIL. I first thought that it was a fuel problem, have replaced fuel pump, and carb single barrel rochest has been rebuilt. can not figure it out unless it may be in the Ing key, how could I check this, guess this may be a little long but
I am new and have not learn to be short, any help
would be appreciate. Fred

Did you check your fuel lines and tank for flow? Disconnect the fuel line at the pump and see if you get a good flow or a trickle? It could be the shutoff valve or even debris in the tank.

Fred, thanks but I have done that and every thing seems to be fine, gas filter and air filter have also been replaced, truck also has the floor starter but I see no problem with it, have checked for loose wires cables that might be shorting out, found nothing, a friend told me to just replace the coil with a cheap one, I told him I did not think the coil was the trouble but being that one does not cost that much I might try

Did the mallory coil and distributor paperwork say anything about using a ballast resistor? It could be the coil or electronics overheating, loose/old wires, carb vapor lock, etc. Is your heat riser in the exhaust manifold working or stuck?

good luck

chip

Chip,thanks for your response, I have own the truck for over 5yrs, the mallory electronic dist was already in it, I have not thought about checking the ballast, also it has fenton headers so I am not sure about the heat riser, I havent paid that much attention to the exhaust,I have driven the truck as a daily driver for 5 yrs and never had any problem until recently. thanks for
your help, Fred/redryder52

Look really hard at the module/ transistor in that dist. sounds like it is failing you. Also make sure all grounds are clean and tight.

As soon as it dies and does not re-start, immediately go and pull the distributor cap.With the key in the on position check to see if it has fire at the points.
One more thing,like chiphead said, it could possibly be is the fuel line is getting hot and evaporating the fuel befoe it gets to the carb. Try the clothes-pin trick on the fuel line.Put about 6 or 7 of them spaced apart .they will act as a heat-sink and prevent the fuel from getting too hot.

My 50 did the same thing....my alternator was shot...

chip, being that you gave me the tip on checking the ballast, which I did and thought that I only had a loose connection ended up being that the ballast on both ends, one to the pos of coil and the other to the Ing were broken, would you or any one else explain how this thing works and the funciton, I guess that it is some sort of volt reducer,etc I replaced this thing,looks like a spring aroung a plastice casting and the truck now runs great,the carb was rebuilt by recarbo in Calif and it runs great, just bolted back on and that was it,I don't think that was my problem though. tried to e mail you(chip) but would not take on stovebolt e mail they had. thanks for any response, Fred in TX