I'm having a little problem that i wish someone could give me alittle feedback on.Sometimes when i decelerate fast,my car gets a real choppy idle and acts like it wants to stall.I thought i just got alittle bad gas or something,but after running another tank of fuel,it still does it.This car has been gone through with a fine tooth comb,and everything i can think of that could cause this problem has been checked or is new.I rebuilt the carb, the choke is set right ,filters are new ,the timing is set right ,the egr is working,the pvc valve is new.I imagine something in the carb could be hung up,but this thing ran great for 3000 miles since i've rebuilt it.I did notice that when i rebuilt the distributor, the wires in there were looking brittle and in some spots the insulation was cracked.Could this be part of the problem?I've driven on some days and it works perfect,and on somedays it will run great for awhile and do it at a stop sign all of a sudden.Sorry for the book,but i wanted to give as much info as possible so you guy's get the idea whats going on.thanks in advance.

 

Yes! May be time for a new pickup coil...

 

Thanks for the reply.Not to sound like a dumba$$,but what part in there is the pickup coil?Is it the coil that lies under the grease shield (round,plastic piece in center)with wires running to the module?I've been in side HEI many times,but have never had any trouble with the electrical end of them,except for the odd module here and there.

 

That would be it...are those the wires that are frayed? its pretty common on high mile motor.. You have to remove the distributor form the motor....have you ever done that? The distributor comes apart real easy. There is a roller pin at the bottom of the shaft, you remove this pin. and the housing will come away from the sshaft. Do you have a Haynes Manual or a chiltons ? Good time to get one. The chiltons shows you how to do it ,Pretty clearly...Once you get it out of the motor and the roll pin out , it all comes apart pretty easy. just put it back together the oposite of taking it apart.....A few to do,s...Be sure and mark the distributor at the base on the intake, so you can put it back where it was....mark the distributor where the rotor was pointing..so you dont mess up the firing order.... Mself I leave the plug wires on the cap and just pull it out of the way. Do all this BEFORE removing the distibutor. Do not turn the motor over r is out, or ya have to time your car , no big deal but easily avoided.
I'm sure I left some stuff out....hopefully someone will chime in if I did.
Oh, you may want to disconnect the battery before ya start...dont want to short anything out......No gaurantees this is your problem, but getting those wires taken care of surely wont hurt anything...I think you will find your pickup in about 4 fried pieces...I couldnt believe mine would run at all after I got it out...

Let me know if ya need more help....If ya cant get the manual, let me know and ill try to scan the page for ya

 

I really appreciate all the help.Yes, i've had my distributor apart before and know exactly what your describing.When i rebuilt my motor,i took the shaft out out of the distributor and replenished the grease wells , reset the advance curve and replaced the vacuum advance can with an adjustable one.I wasn't real thrilled putting it back together with the wires like that,but i didn't have a replacement for it and i really wanted to get my car running.HEI's(non-computer) aren't as plentiful in the salvageyard as they once were.I got digging through my garage and found the head that i cut off the HEI i modified into a engine pressure oiler.All the electrical stuff is there and looks in great shape.I think it's alittle newer than the one on my car because there's a plastic cover over some of the wires that mine doesn't have.It should still be compatible if i switch all the parts over,right?I kind of had a feeling the problem was in the ignition somewhere because of it's intermittant nature,but it sure is nice to hear someone give a second opinion before i spend an afternoon diving in.i'll let you know how i make out.Thanks again bud!