My 1972 350 shuts off randomly going down the road. After a few mins it will start up again and run fine....then do it again.

485

Asked by mlo714 Sep 01, 2014 at 10:44 AM about the 1972 Chevrolet C/K 10

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I just had the carb redone, new fuel lines and a inline filter. It has a HEI distributor for over a year now.

15 Answers

485

That's the second time I've heard that. I try that sometime this afternoon and repost. Thank you

18 people found this helpful.
485

Would the Voltage regulator do that? Or would it just stop working completely?

24 people found this helpful.
7,010

Along with Js answer, an often overlooked problem is the Ignition Starter Switch located on the steering column inside the cab, under the dash. The 12v to the distributor coil is supplied directly (not fused) by the "RUN" position on this switch and out on the pink (pinkish purple) wire. The key controls this switch mechanically with a push rod. The contact inside the switch can go bad or if the switch is misaligned or loose and the detentes are worn (the whole thing is made of plastic) the contact may act "flaky". If it breaks contact, 12v is interrupted to the distributor and the engine dies. Start your engine and wiggle your key. If it causes the engine to hesitate or die then this is a sure thing. I would replace the switch because the contact problem may only be intermittent and the "key wiggle test" may not show any problem.

24 people found this helpful.
575

my car does the same thing.. Its a 69 camaro.. But my does it at a low idle.. no warning just shuts off like somebody turn off the key. Ill be siiting at a stop sign, getting ready to go and Bam!! shuts off, pulling in the garage making sure im in the right spot... Every time.. it just turns off. Never when Im driving it.. just whens its barely rolling.. Need to figure this out! Its making me nuts

26 people found this helpful.
180

I have a 89 Chevy Caprice Classic I have changed the distributor cap The rotor Ignition module Fuel pump Fuel filter Fuel injector Carburetor And it still starts up And shuts off Within 20 to 30 minutes

18 people found this helpful.
575

no,, im upgrading i think. im installing a whole new MSD ig wire and coil this thursday. Everything will be new.. Im hoping it takes care of the problem. Some pretty weird stuff has happened, weird symptoms. But these cars are always a work in progress. Ive replaced everything.. I just feel like im missing something or looking right at it

8 people found this helpful.
575

vacuum advance.. Its the MSD billet drop in distributer

3 people found this helpful.
575

I hope so.. at this point, there is nothing on the car that is not new except the distributor. My car is just a weekend driver. No high Rpm. I just really want reliability... and a little bit of speed.. you cant have these cars and not pounce on them every once in a while

9 people found this helpful.
180

my 62 chevy c10 is doing the same thing. dies after 10 minutes of driving, soon as i hit the freeWAY AND GOT TO ABOUT 50 it bogs and dies. will fire back up but gradually gets worse until it wont start. i got a msd vacuum drop in distributor and a edelbrock 600 on a 350. it breaks down on me EVERY DAMN TIME.just cost me $400 getting it towed off the freeway/tow away zone today. runs strong. great even. but after 10 minutes, sometimes 3 minutes it just loses power and dies. i thought i knew these old chevys really well. but this 62 is wooping my ass fellas...

15 people found this helpful.
70

had same problem with HEI conversion on 72 camaro the older cars couldn't handle the voltage draw ran a heavier wire and switch solved my problem

7 people found this helpful.
100

I have a 84 cutlass wit a 350 small block it's run gud but it just sit there it will cut off can someone tell me wit it is today it cut off on me y I was bout to pull off

10 people found this helpful.
70

If you put electronic distributor in and didn't replace the resistor wire going to the coil that's your problem

7 people found this helpful.
130

Same thing is happening to me... Truck was starts perfectly and runs but after 15 mins it stalls when I'm decelerating. I start it back up (sometimes in neutral as it stalls in traffic) and it runs until I slow down again and it dies. It was so bad once that when I started it up and put it into drive, it stalled immediately and even pushes forward abruptly. got it towed to the house and the next morning it ran fine again until about 10 or 15 minutes into driving. Full tune up, radiator flush, everything... can't figure it out!!!! 1970 C10

13 people found this helpful.
80

For the sudden shut down or no start you might check the module connectors. Having the same problem and I came to discover someone had been testing the connectors with a probe and spread one of the contacts, a slight tweak and problem solved.

8 people found this helpful.
10

My 73 nova had this same problem and it happened again after i fixed it the 1st time but the 1st time I can confirm is the wire that is connect to the ignition switch and apparently its really easy for this problem to happen. ill let you know of any other causes once i fix this issue again

1 people found this helpful.

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