My Truck Left Me Stranded

[jgrote]

For the first time in a long time, my truck decided to shut off at a traffic light. It just died. I rolled it down a hill (backwards) to safety, and got it towed home. Long story short, no spark. Apparently the $57 HEI distributer that the PO put in it wasn't up to the task. So... I ordered a $65 HEI distributer to replace it. However, I also bought this as backup. Let the fun begin.

[67 twins]

An LS swap over a bad ignition? Now I've heard everything

[jumpsoffrock]

I have an old Ford daily driver that uses it's original points setup. I read topics from every make and model and quite a few people say they wanna switch to electric ignition for reliability and durability.

I don't know what they're talking about.

My setup has never failed me; 60k miles on the same points that I installed when the truck first got on the road in 2010, never reset the gap/dwell.



BTW, what was wrong with the HEI dist? It wasn't a simple module or specific part you could replace instead of the whole unit?

[jgrote]

When it gets hot, it just turns off. No spark. I'm not sure if it's the coil or the module, but I would guess the module. It's cheap crap. I'd be mote likely to spend some time figuring out which failed, but there was oil under the cap when I pulled it. I'll throw another dizzy in it for now. I won't be ready to start the swap until fall at the earliest. I still have a lot of parts to gather, an engine to freshen up, and a lot to learn. Since it's such a common. Swap, all the I fo is readily available. I just need to go find it. I think I've now decided to go with an unlocked OEM ECU, and an aftermarket harness. I've stripped a harness for a merge once before. It was no fun. Besides, decent harnesses are $150 or so. I'm not spending a week to learn how, and a weekend pulling a harness apart, just to save $150.

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by jgrote

When it gets hot, it just turns off. No spark. I'm not sure if it's the coil or the module, but I would guess the module. It's cheap crap. I'd be mote likely to spend some time figuring out which failed, but there was oil under the cap when I pulled it. I'll throw another dizzy in it for now. I won't be ready to start the swap until fall at the earliest. I still have a lot of parts to gather, an engine to freshen up, and a lot to learn. Since it's such a common. Swap, all the I fo is readily available. I just need to go find it. I think I've now decided to go with an unlocked OEM ECU, and an aftermarket harness. I've stripped a harness for a merge once before. It was no fun. Besides, decent harnesses are $150 or so. I'm not spending a week to learn how, and a weekend pulling a harness apart, just to save $150.

Yeah no reason to save $150 when you are already going to spend thousands to get rid of a junk distributor.

[jgrote]

Originally Posted by 67 twins

Yeah no reason to save $150 when you are already going to spend thousands to get rid of a junk distributor.

LOL. I don't drive a 72 C10 because it makes sense. It's a fun truck, and a fun hobby. The engine in it currently runs great, but it runs like an old truck. Also, nothing about my driverrain belongs to the truck originally. It has a 75 350, a TH350 out of a car, and a rear end out of another C10. It has an Eddy 4bbl carb that is way too much for it, but I've got that pretty well tuned now. The PS leaks, the rear main seal drips a little bit, and it creaks and groans over bumps. And I love it for all these things.

However, I have a wife. I love this wife dearly. She supports my stupid ideas. But, she's used to a certain amount of comfort in her life. She drives a new Acura. She has nice handbags. She likes to be comfortable. She doesn't find being broken down in the middle of the road super comfortable. She doesn't think our garage smelling like gas is super comfortable either. She likes the idea of an old truck that runs like a new truck. (And really, I do too. I just use her as an excuse to make poor financial decisions.)

[notsolo]

I was dead set against LS swap, but I had too many issues with carb and fuel pump etc. I finally got on board and it is excellent, it fires every time in 2 seconds or less even if it's been sitting for 3 weeks. I did minimum, shallow oil pan, valley gaskets and knock sensors, intake and valve cover gaskets, headers, o2 sensors wiring harness.

[Willie Makeit]

Originally Posted by jgrote

LOL. I don't drive a 72 C10 because it makes sense. It's a fun truck, and a fun hobby. The engine in it currently runs great, but it runs like an old truck. Also, nothing about my driverrain belongs to the truck originally. It has a 75 350, a TH350 out of a car, and a rear end out of another C10. It has an Eddy 4bbl carb that is way too much for it, but I've got that pretty well tuned now. The PS leaks, the rear main seal drips a little bit, and it creaks and groans over bumps. And I love it for all these things.

However, I have a wife. I love this wife dearly. She supports my stupid ideas. But, she's used to a certain amount of comfort in her life. She drives a new Acura. She has nice handbags. She likes to be comfortable. She doesn't find being broken down in the middle of the road super comfortable. She doesn't think our garage smelling like gas is super comfortable either. She likes the idea of an old truck that runs like a new truck. (And really, I do too. I just use her as an excuse to make poor financial decisions.)

don't sweat the negativity because there's always a few of "those folks" in every crowd. they've done it all, seen it all, know it all and if you don't believe it just ask them.

your truck, your rules.

[mm1077]

[QUOTE=jgrote;9201078]LOL. I don't drive a 72 C10 because it makes sense. It's a fun truck, and a fun hobby. The engine in it currently runs great, but it runs like an old truck. Also, nothing about my driverrain belongs to the truck originally. It has a 75 350, a TH350 out of a car, and a rear end out of another C10. It has an Eddy 4bbl carb that is way too much for it, but I've got that pretty well tuned now. The PS leaks, the rear main seal drips a little bit, and it creaks and groans over bumps. And I love it for all these things.

However, I have a wife. I love this wife dearly. She supports my stupid ideas. But, she's used to a certain amount of comfort in her life. She drives a new Acura. She has nice handbags. She likes to be comfortable. She doesn't find being broken down in the middle of the road super comfortable. She doesn't think our garage smelling like gas is super comfortable either. She likes the idea of an old truck that runs like a new truck. (And really, I do too. I just use her as an excuse to make poor financial decisions.)[/QUOTE

Lol I actually read this post to my wife…Sounds like a mirror image of our life!. She loves the nice rides we see at the cars shows, hates the smell of gas coming from our attached garage (even if I pull it slightly outside sometimes lol). She’s lost patience with my ‘but it’s an investment ‘ and ‘it’s almost done’ lines : ). But overall she supports my stupid ideas. Glad I’m not the only one in this situation lol
Posted via Mobile Device

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by jgrote

However, I have a wife. I love this wife dearly. She supports my stupid ideas. But, she's used to a certain amount of comfort in her life. She drives a new Acura. She has nice handbags. She likes to be comfortable. She doesn't find being broken down in the middle of the road super comfortable. She doesn't think our garage smelling like gas is super comfortable either. She likes the idea of an old truck that runs like a new truck. (And really, I do too. I just use her as an excuse to make poor financial decisions.)

Got a big grin when I read this. My wife drives a fancy Jeep. She has a couple of Dooney purses (apparently the Snap-On of purses). She supports all my ideas whether stupid or not. Heck, she helped me remove the hood the other day on the 70 without a scratch.
But jgrote I've got to ask this question, does your wife get a big ol grin like this when she mashes the throttle on the Acura?

[1970 CST Short Wide]

I got lucky when I did my swap. A buddy had this 5.7 with 6 speed from a 02 Firebird , 40,000 miles. Sold it to me for $2500 with flashed computer
Fit like a dream. I Love it. Check my signature for all other upgrades

[jumpsoffrock]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

I got lucky when I did my swap. A buddy had this 5.7 with 6 speed from a 02 Firebird , 40,000 miles. Sold it to me for $2500 with flashed computer
Fit like a dream. I Love it. Check my signature for all other upgrades

On one hand it's sad that the Firebird met its demise; on the other hand it's nice that in a funny way, it lives again. And it doesn't hurt that you seem to be happy.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Originally Posted by jumpsoffrock

On one hand it's sad that the Firebird met its demise; on the other hand it's nice that in a funny way, it lives again. And it doesn't hurt that you seem to be happy.

Very Happy, next project I’m wanting is up the HP to 500+. Time will tell