Expert: Kevin Pilotte - 1/12/2008

Question
IT STARTS THEN ENGINE DIES DESPITE FOOT ON ACCELERATOR.MECHANIC TESTED GROUNDCABLES,STARTER,ALTERNATOR(ALL AOK) STILL STATES ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEW SPARK PLUGS,CHANGED OIL,NEW BATTERY, ETC. STARTS THEN DIES OUT. BLOWBACK NOTED VIA DIPSTICK, WOULD DETONATE. WHAT GIVES? HE STATES NEED OVERHAUL BUT STILL THINKS SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ADVISED CONVERTING TO DISTRIBUTOR WITH POINTS(WHAT TYPE IS MY OEM DISTRIBUTOR? STATES SPARK MODULE, COIL OK. HAS MODIFIED CAM,OFFENHAUSER MANIFOLD,HOLLEY 4 BARREL 390 CFM ELEC CHOKE(RECENTLY WITH NEW KIT REPLACED)AND HEADERS. I HAD THESE MODS SINCE 1977 AND ABOVE PROBLEMS HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR LAST 3 YEARS.HARD STARTING CAUSES FLOODING, AN HOUR LATER, WOULD START,BUT CUTS OUT. RESTART WOULD CAUSE BLOWBACK AND "GURGLING' SOUND IN EXHAUST THEN DETONATES AND STEAM OR SMOKE ESCAPES VIA HOOD SPACES. WOULD OVERHAULING SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR IS THERE ANY OTHER CONCERN AND ADDED COST? HAS FIBERGLASS TUB,FENDERS AND CAB, BUT ORIGINAL GRILL AND HOOD(DONE ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO).WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERT ADVISE AND COMMENT. THANK YOU. SINCERELY, N.J.

Answer
1) Perform compression test or cylinder leakage test.
2) If you have the original ignition, it is Prestolite electronic. They were prone for pick up failure. Also try another igntion module, pick up a cheap one at a parts store.
3) Do you have fuel pressure?
4) Do you have a strong spark?
5) Is the float level adjusted properly?