What's Wrong with my Ride? Please Help
 

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRemy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsoht ml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> Hello readers,
<o:p> </o:p>
I have a problem with my Chevelle and I am running on empty with ideas of what to do. Hopefully I can get some help or ideas from posting. Thanks in advance.
<o:p> </o:p>
What I have:
1972 Chevelle
350 ci small block chevy
Modified QuadraJet Carb.
Mallory HEI distributor
Mallory Hyfire 6a CDI Igntion Box
Newly installed generic electric fuel pump
Holly fuel regulator.
700R4 trans.
<o:p> </o:p>
The problem I have:
<o:p> </o:p>
The car, for a long time, has been running smoothly without issue. But last Friday something happened suddenly. I should note that on this day it was raining and hailing, though just cloudy when I started it up to leave work. I drive maybe 100 feet and it stutters then stalls. I was low on gas so I figured I just neglected to put enough fuel in, gauge said I had a little but I put more in anyway, no change. It cranks just fine, but that is about all it does. If I let the car sit then try again occasionally I would get a single sputter of the motor then nothing.
<o:p> </o:p>
I looking around for other possible issues and here is what I have done so far. I aired out and dried the distributor, inside the cap and in all the boots. I rebuilt the carburetor. Checked all my electrical connections and tested my ignition box. I wasn't getting any signals out of the box so I replaced it. After replacing the box I got it to sputter a few times and had it running a few seconds. It ran very rough and with low rpm. I gave it a little gas and it back fired then died. I have been able to get it to sputter a few times since but not running and it mostly just cranks.
<o:p> </o:p>
I am unsure of what this issue could be right now. I could really use any help and insight you may be able to provide, I would be happy to hear anything you have to say or ask.
<o:p> </o:p>
Thanks a lot for reading.

Hi thecoolllama,

Welcome to the Chevy Forums.

The HEI has an ECM inside it, under the vacuum cover plate, below the pickup coil and stator. That's the first place I always used to look for trouble. The ECM has a little metal plate on the bottom which has dielectric grease on it. This grease tends to dry out after awhile, and the ECM chip burns out. Assuming your ignition box doesn't bypass it. Also check your rotor, cap and other distributor parts very carefully.

They used to cost a fortune, but you can get one for about 10$ at most parts stores, last time I checked. Don't forget to get the grease packet for the bottom plate.:cool:

i agree.. or you can put a stock GM distributor in and it will fire right up.. some of those after market systems are prone to failure.

good luck, i hope you work it out..