I was coming home from a local "shine and show" Saturday night about 11 PM in
my daily driver for the last 14+ years mostly stock 57 GMC V8. Cruising at 45
MPH when suddenly .....
Nothing! Engine quit. It was still turning over because the original
Hydra-Matic has a rear pump which many modern trannies don't have. Put it into
neutral, engine quit turning. Got it off the road and tried to start it.
Cranked, but no start. Noticed that the tach (Sun SuperTach 3 refaced to match
the GMC instruments) showed 0 RPM while cranking and every now and then jumped
to 2500+ RPM for a split second.
Most of the modifications I have made to my truck over the years have been to
make it a more reliable and safe daily driver. Alternator, disk brakes, HEI
distributor, etc.
HEI? Well it puts out about twice the spark that the original points type
distributor did. Lets you run wider gaps on your plugs. Increases gas
mileage. Starts on the first turn of the key. Unlike points, does not
deteriorate over time, changing timing and increasing resistance (therefore
decreasing spark voltage). But, when it quits it really quits! Nada! Zip!
Kaput!
$65 tow (I wasn't going to leave it on the road over night, parts stores were
all closed) and a $18 ignition module later (pop the distributor cap and 2 x
1/4" head screws) and I was back running.
Moral of the story is for $18 bucks carry a spare.
I guess I shouldn't complain too much. This is the second time in 14+ years
that my truck has failed to get me home. How many modern vehicles would have a
record like that.
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