My 81 Died and won't start

[Pa Goose]

I picked my 81 up from the shop after work today. They had put a new ECM and mixture solinoid in it. I drove abbout a mile, stopped for gas. It was running beautiful! When I pulled out of the gas station I couldn't resist getting on it, just a little. The rear tires broke traction and suddenly the engine just went dead tach to zero and coasted over to side of the road. Engine turns over but no hint of starting.
Had it towed back to the shop.
At least I got to drive it a mile.

 

[81 Corvette]

did you check to see if it was getting spark and fuel

 

[Pa Goose]

Was too dark to see or check anything under the hood. Trying to push it back off the road I re injurred an old shoulder injury and everyone one passing by thought I was having a heart attack.
Guess I will have to waite to see what the shop says.

 

[Rudzvetz]

Sounds like the power wire fell off of the distributor.


-Justin

 

[Pa Goose]

A previous owner had for some reason shortened the wire harness to the distributor, when I pulled out of the gas station and punched it the engine torqued and pulled it apart. Has a new harness now. Should not have anymore problems. I hope!

 

[Rudzvetz]

That's what I thought. I have seen quite a few in my shop where the little tab that holds the + lead on the distributor is broken off and when the motor is punched that wire pulls out of the cap causing a no go condition.


-Justin