Whatcha tink?

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Help!

I haven't done a thing to it since buying it. I was driving it the other week and for several days and miles with no problems. Then it just died on me while driving. I coasted into a vacant farm field and it wouldn't start. It just shut off while driving. I went back a couple of hours later and it fired right up and I got it back home. It wasn't too hot and I hadn't been in any stop and go traffic. I was thinking vapor lock? But I have never experienced it and unsure if that's the problem. I bought a new set of points, cap, rotor, and fuel filter. It had a new coil on it when I bought it. I haven't cleaned the carb or anything. Does it sound like vapor lock or something else?

Thanks.

Possible causes

Slightly clogged fuel filter ( carb inlet filter ) You may have used the fuel that was able to fill the bowl. It could also be a piece of debris on the fuel pickup too

Coil ( doesn't matter if it's new )

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

Possible causes

Slightly clogged fuel filter ( carb inlet filter ) You may have used the fuel that was able to fill the bowl. It could also be a piece of debris on the fuel pickup too

Coil ( doesn't matter if it's new )

I should drop the tank and check/clean the inside. I'm sure the same with the carb. Vapor lock just struck me for some odd reason...it fired right up after sitting an hour or so. I didn't have any starting fluid with me when it happened.

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

I should drop the tank and check/clean the inside. I'm sure the same with the carb. Vapor lock just struck me for some odd reason...it fired right up after sitting an hour or so. I didn't have any starting fluid with me when it happened.

Starting fluid would determine either fuel or spark when it quit.

[markids77]

I was thinking that by 1974 there would be a HEI distributor, not points? If not, I would source one soonest and forget the past as you drive millions of trouble free, spark filled miles.

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by markids77

I was thinking that by 1974 there would be a HEI distributor, not points? If not, I would source one soonest and forget the past as you drive millions of trouble free, spark filled miles.

Still points. I think '75 went with the HEI. I installed one of the electronic converters on my old Corvette's when I had them. But you had to pull the entire dist. and shim it to a closer tolerance. Is that the same deal with HEI?

[Sea Six]

Dirty sock in the fuel tank.

[86RAG]

HEI is pretty much just plug and play, but you should run a larger gauge wire from ignition switch to the distributor. I think 10 gauge is what is required. Oh, and you will need a new plug wire set Real simple swap, and HEI distributors for a SBC are easily and cheaply found

[Grey Ghost]

Dropped the tank. What a PITA. Just wanted piece of mind about it's condition, etc...clean as a whistle. Even the Adidas crew top sock inside.

I still wonder about vapor lock...it's just stuck in my brain for some reason. I read there's and old trick about using wood clothes pins as a heat sink on the fuel line to prevent it....

[RedLS1GTO]

Nice truck. Congrats! Looks to be the same yellow color as my dad's old 77 Blazer.

[Grey Ghost]

Decided to paint the bed...it was looking too shabby even for me. Ever wonder why a paint job cost so much? $150 just for the liquids in the photo. Just enough for the bed and tail gate.

[Sea Six]

[86RAG]

Have fun! I've been doing body work off and on for close to thirty years. People always freak when you tell them how much paint is gonna cost. $150 for what you have there is fairly inexpensive. Price the premium lines of paint and you'll be shocked, and happy you only paid $150!

[Jeff '79]

Are you going to sand blast it first?

[StaticCling]

‘74 Chevy was running a return line from the fuel pump to the tank, you may have a 2 inlet fuel pump instead of a stock style, and if you do it can (and will) cause a vapor lock issue most likely. Look at the fuel pump. Stock style will have 3 ports with a small hose connecting the return line to the fuel pump. If it’s an aftermarket pump, check to see if that steel return line along the frame rail was plugged properly...I believe there may be an inlet or outlet on the sending unit for the return line as well...Can't remember.

Also, if somebody monkeyed with all that shit, run a vented gas cap...

Lastly, it could be a clogged carb inlet fuel filter, or the sending unit sock as previously mentioned, both cheap and easy fixes. 74 model year, the sending unit should be on the bottom of the tank...you can buy a special 'wrench' to remove it, or just use a couple of screwdrivers. Simple job...New sending units are like 20 bucks on eBay. I know on 75 or 76 Vette's, they moved the sending unit to the top of the tank, requiring removal of the fuel tank to swap sending units...I'm just ASSuming engineering geometry is similar between models. Good Luck

[VatorMan]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Are you going to sand blast it first?

pffffft. Sanding before painting is for pussies.

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by 86RAG

Have fun! I've been doing body work off and on for close to thirty years. People always freak when you tell them how much paint is gonna cost. $150 for what you have there is fairly inexpensive. Price the premium lines of paint and you'll be shocked, and happy you only paid $150!

Yep, me too, at a hobby level. I've painted several cars and color sanded them. I've always used PPG products. I'm lucky to have a supplier in my town. I went with their cheaper 'shop line' just for the bed. The good stuff would have been crazy and even depending on the color.

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Are you going to sand blast it first?

I'll knock it down with 400 grit on a sander. Then a couple of sealer coats and then a single stage color coat.

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by chinaski

‘74 Chevy was running a return line from the fuel pump to the tank, you may have a 2 inlet fuel pump instead of a stock style, and if you do it can (and will) cause a vapor lock issue most likely. Look at the fuel pump. Stock style will have 3 ports with a small hose connecting the return line to the fuel pump. If it’s an aftermarket pump, check to see if that steel return line along the frame rail was plugged properly...I believe there may be an inlet or outlet on the sending unit for the return line as well...Can't remember.

Also, if somebody monkeyed with all that shit, run a vented gas cap...

Lastly, it could be a clogged carb inlet fuel filter, or the sending unit sock as previously mentioned, both cheap and easy fixes. 74 model year, the sending unit should be on the bottom of the tank...you can buy a special 'wrench' to remove it, or just use a couple of screwdrivers. Simple job...New sending units are like 20 bucks on eBay. I know on 75 or 76 Vette's, they moved the sending unit to the top of the tank, requiring removal of the fuel tank to swap sending units...I'm just ASSuming engineering geometry is similar between models. Good Luck

Thanks! I didn't know about the fuel pump. I'll check it out. I did drop the tank to check the sock and for debris. It was amazingly clean inside and the sock was good.

One thing I think that may be causing a problem is the choke.

Do you know how it works or should work on this truck? I'm not sure if it has the old style heat riser valve, etc...

Thanks.

[markids77]

That tailgate is gnarly. Please show a timeline on what you choose to do with the giant pimple back there.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

I'll knock it down with 400 grit on a sander. Then a couple of sealer coats and then a single stage color coat.

*****.... !!!