Hello all, this is my first post. I don't have a whole lot of engine knowledge, but any input would help. I have an 86' cube van that I use maybe once a week for raing. Usually sits in winter. Been driving for 2 years with no problems... About a month ago I replaced the batteries because I left my rear aux. lights on in the rear (big work lamp installed). Well then things seemed fine. Last weekend took it up north and about 2 hours into the drive it lost power and felt like i let my foot off the feed, burped a few times, and hesitated, then let out a huge backfire, I thought it died because I coasted to a stop, but it was still running. Took off again and drove about 15 miles, burped and hesitated, but then was fine. Next day took off, 40 minutes into the drive while slowing down it just dies, wouldnt start, waited 15 minutes, drove it 30 more miles and dies again. Took it to a shop and left it, they said vapor locking (it was like 95 degrees plus all weekend). So last Thursday went and got it, started great and ran awesome all the way home(3 hours), not a single problem. Well now this past weekend, drove it 2 hours, burped one time going down the road, but fine. It sat during the night, and this morning...Went to start it, wouldnt start, after holding the choke we got it running, ran fine for a few minutes then goes into about a 500 rpm rough rough idle for a minute or two then it just kicks back into normal idle mode like the swith of a light. pump the gas and it kinda bogs.. Tried to drive it down the road, seemed ok, then it goes into that rough idle. it died. got it going again and got it back to my unlces. got it back and it wouldnt start, let sit for 30 minutes and it started up again with the use of messing with the choke, same thing...idles fine, then rough, then fine. Engine i think is a 351W, checked fuel filter, seemed ok, 2 new batteries, newer alternater, brain box is a year old or so, This is about all the info I have. Oh and one more thing sometimes when it does start it is when you are holding the key on like normal and a soon as you let off the key like to just give up, it then fires up. Any starters where to look first would be appriciated grately.

 

I would check your fuel pump and your ignition system (cap, rotor, wires). Is this carburated or EFI. I am thinking that its carburated and there could be a fuel delivery problem associated with the carb.

 

It's got a carb. The cap and rotor look pretty wore along with the coil (its rusty). I just get stressed out thinking I might be chasing the problem like a lot of others are. I think its something simple, but who knows. I'll work on it this weekend. Getting new cap, rotor, coil, fuel filter. Can I have my ignition module tested at like a NAPA? Also my cousin thinks it might be the pick up coil under the dis. Could he be right? Thanks.