hi i'm new to this. but i'm having problems with my truck, its a 79 ford half ton with a 460 engine. the problem is that it just shuts down while driving it. at first i thought it was vapor lock. but i don't think so anymore since its gettin cold outside. i've replaced the coil, the ignition module, and the thermostat. and still. i can drive it around. but sooner or later it will just shut down. like you turned the truck off

 

Does it loose spark when it quits/stalls? Does it restart after a short cooling period or sit time? If so,, and if you haven't replaced the ignition 'pick up coil' inside the distributor it would be suspect for spark loss, more soif the module is new as well as the coil...

 

Also, sometimes you can take a heat gun or high watt hair drier and with the engine idling at normal operating temp heat the distributor body as much a possible.. If the engine stalls the pick up coil is failing under heated conditions.. They have a history of failing hot, and after some cooling time the engine generally will restart..

 

yes thats exactly wut it does. and i'll try that and see if thats my problem. thanks for the help.

 

You can also ohm test the stator assembly. It should be a three wire plug, with 300-800 ohms between the two opposing contacts and continuity to ground from the center contact to the distributor. You might check the ground screw just inside the bowl of the distributor to make sure that it is not corroded.

 

A hair drier will also help to detect and eliminate moisture condensate from a fracture to the inside of the distributor cap.

 

(which obviously could make things tricky - so try looking for moisture in the cap or electrical component corrosion or rust first). If you don't cover the basics you're looking to waste time and money.