OK JohnnyB - I've got a hand vac system (Sears) that I purchased to bleed brakes, clutch, and so on, but have never used it to check vac advance. Can you talk me through it or point me to where it might already be posted?

Question: Could the Ignition Reluctor (rotor piece that turns in front of the Dizzy) go bad? I'm just trying to figure out if all my problem is with the distributor or just the ECU (ignition portion) since they told me I had caps that were bleeding and oozed on the ECU board?

The problem only displays itself when driving and accelerating (doesn't cutout at all when idling).

Thanks again for all your help with this thing!!

I hate electrical problems, but when this is done, hopefully I can test out my new LSD that I've never tested since installing because the transmission blew after I installed it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

From what I can understand of this set-up, you could completely remove that ECU and leave it on the fireplace mantle and it would still run. It simply isn't being used by the truck any more.

As the the vacuum test for the advance, all I could tell you is to apply some vacuum to the vac advance port on the distributor and make sure it's adjusting physically, and make sure it doesn't lose vacuum. Someone who knows (anything) should be able to pipe in with a procedure or settings to tell you what you should be seeing.

I believe the reluctor could in fact go bad. How? What? I don't know. It's a black science in there to me.

I'd still have a look at the running engine in the dark. I've had bad spark plug wires right out of the box that were shorting before, and it showed up that way - nice blue arcs in the dark.

Good luck, my friend.

John B.

Its been said but you seem to have missed it. THE ECU IS NOT USED. You had it rebuilt for nothing, sorry to say. The only thing it is there for is the STOCK carburetor which had an O2 sensor and a mixture solenoid- you aren't using those at all. The ECU does NOTHING for you. It doesn't control the ignition at all.

I sometimes feel like Diogenes, except I don't want an honest man, I just want one who listens...

Ok, it's running bad. Pull a plug wire, hold it 1/4" from ground, and crank the motor. See the pretty spark? If so, forget dizzy, plugs, wires, coil, reluctor, ignitor, battery, etc.

Then change the fuel filter and see if it helps...

Wow that's great to hear. I was misinformed then and really appreciate the correction. I needed to hear this so I can look else where. THANK YOU VERY MUCH GEOCRASHER!!!

The biggest BLESSING about blogging with you guys is sharing all this knowledge.

Just learning exactly what the ECU manages is more than its weight in GOLD. If I would have known this early, I would have saved $320.... AND now you saved me another $190 for another rebuild...

I think your information should be SAVED in the TECH area!!!

Thank you again.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Will do... Yes I'm really listening... Just really baffled and confused about these symptoms...

Thank you very much (again) and sorry about sounding like I'm hard headed or not listening....