Motor shutting off intermittently

[Honda01]

Technical help would be appreciated. While taking my 67 Bronco down the road the 289 motor all the sudden just quit. Radio still on gauges still working but the motor just quits. Pulled over to the side lifted the hood nothing visual was apparent got back in and it started right up. Heading back to the house knowing that something wasn't right it shut off one more time. Now it's in the garage did wiggle test behind the ignition and also alternator area and any wires that I could see that might be a problem, ran like a champ. It does have a MSD ignition and all the wiring is original. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciatedk

 

[half cab]

Fuel line check...fuel filter check?

Mine acted like this twice before and first time was trash in the line(sediment in the tank) second time was bad fuel(water),

 

[savage]

More info on motor, carburetor or fuel injected. stock or modified engine, original motor?

 

[thegreatjustino]

My '68 would do the same thing. I took both lines off of the fuel pump, blew compressed air through the pump, something blew out of one side, hooked everything back up, never did it again. One of the easiest fixes I've ever done on an EB.

 

[Honda01]

Its a clear fuel filter and it didn't look bad but I'll clean it when I get home. And I'll also blow the fuel lines out.

 

[Honda01]

More info on motor, carburetor or fuel injected. stock or modified engine, original motor?

650 Edelbrock carburetor completely gone through a few weeks ago. Ran like a champ until a few days ago. From what I can tell what's a stock 289 motor and original to the Bronco

 

[bigdaddyof4]

Same happened to me and trash in tank was my problem. Dropped tank and cleaned it no more problems

 

[SHX669]

Which MSD ignition do you have? Check for loose/bare wires at ignition switch - coil - and distributor ground wire.

 

[darrell82]

My 72 did that then, it quit running all together. Points were all wore out. I re gapped and so far no issues.

 

[savage]

650 Edelbrock carburetor completely gone through a few weeks ago. Ran like a champ until a few days ago. From what I can tell what's a stock 289 motor and original to the Bronco

[what's a stock 289 motor ]a motor that has not been rebuilt, still in its original condition that it came from the factory. I think it sounds more like electrical, I'm assuming it does not have points? Check the wiring for burned spots and check wire connectors for corrosion.

 

[DirtDonk]

Does the engine die instantly, like you turned off the switch? Or does it die, then maybe think about running again for a second, then die again, like a fuel issue?

Do you have a tachometer? If so, watch it the next time it happens, and if the tach goes to zero instantly while you're still coasting, then it's definitely an ignition issue.

When mine did that, it was a corroded connector in the ignition power feed wire. But anything that disrupts the flow of electricity to the coil will do it.
As was asked, do you have a stock distributor, or is it all MSD stuff? Either way, I would suspect a connector between the old harness and the new ignition stuff.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[bushman]

My mustang did that one day, and I figured out that the coil wire had lost (melted) some insulation in one small spot. That spot was making intermittent contact with the engine block, shorting the signal. My advice is to inspect every centimeter of wire in the ignition system.

ETA: And what DirtDonk said above!!!

 

[f1drivr]

I'm having the same problem with my 1972 bronco, it has a 302 with Mallory Unilite Dist. I've replaced the Coil, Coil to Dist Lead, Voltage Regulator, added an extra GND strap from fender to Block, replaced both Fuel filters(before and after the stock fuel pump) rebuilt the stock 2barrel ford Carb, the Rear tank was replaced about 12months ago. Its does it on both tanks. I ordered a new MSD 605 Module for the Dist and a new ballast resistor hopefully that will fix the problem. Will report my finding in two days.

 

[jrwyant]

My stock 302/Motor craft 2150 carb'ed engine would die sporadically once warmed up... Thought it was ignition since it died so smoothly (ended up replacing ignition parts to no avail.). Then I happened to look down the carb. throat while manually running my electric fuel pump [Carter p4070 with no additional external pressure regulator] and saw fuel dribbling into the venturies: my float and needle were stuck open. Cleaned the needle and no more flooding. I had had trouble associating my symptoms with flooding, as it just seemed to be either ignition or insufficient fuel.

You probably already considered carb. flooding and tested/excluded that, right?

 

[f1drivr]

Yeah, I checked that also. One thing I did notice, when the engine shuts off the fuel in both fuel filters sucks back toward the tanks. As soon as it turns over the fuel filters fill up again. Im still running the stock fuel pump.

Looks like my Module will be here on 29Oct. Hopefully that fixes it.

 

[Honda01]

Does the engine die instantly, like you turned off the switch? Or does it die, then maybe think about running again for a second, then die again, like a fuel issue?

Do you have a tachometer? If so, watch it the next time it happens, and if the tach goes to zero instantly while you're still coasting, then it's definitely an ignition issue.

When mine did that, it was a corroded connector in the ignition power feed wire. But anything that disrupts the flow of electricity to the coil will do it.
As was asked, do you have a stock distributor, or is it all MSD stuff? Either way, I would suspect a connector between the old harness and the new ignition stuff.

Good luck.

Paul

It does die instantly like the switch is turned off but the radio is still on. I ordered a new ignition switch and key tumbler. When I replace that I will inspect more wires for corrosion and connections.

 

[Honda01]

My stock 302/Motor craft 2150 carb'ed engine would die sporadically once warmed up... Thought it was ignition since it died so smoothly (ended up replacing ignition parts to no avail.). Then I happened to look down the carb. throat while manually running my electric fuel pump [Carter p4070 with no additional external pressure regulator] and saw fuel dribbling into the venturies: my float and needle were stuck open. Cleaned the needle and no more flooding. I had had trouble associating my symptoms with flooding, as it just seemed to be either ignition or insufficient fuel.

You probably already considered carb. flooding and tested/excluded that, right?

Clean fuel lines carburetors in tip top shape and runs like a champ other than that shutting off. Took it around the block Sunday and everything was just fine.

 

[Honda01]

I want to let everybody know how much I appreciate their help and input. I'm not able to work on it every night but bits and pieces here and there. After I replace the ignition switch I will post results

 

[56f100bbw]

Mine did the same thing today had to get towed home by a neighbor with a old Nissan pick up I will check out my ing in the morning thanks for the tip

 

[f1drivr]

I'm having the same problem with my 1972 bronco, it has a 302 with Mallory Unilite Dist. I've replaced the Coil, Coil to Dist Lead, Voltage Regulator, added an extra GND strap from fender to Block, replaced both Fuel filters(before and after the stock fuel pump) rebuilt the stock 2barrel ford Carb, the Rear tank was replaced about 12months ago. Its does it on both tanks. I ordered a new MSD 605 Module for the Dist and a new ballast resistor hopefully that will fix the problem. Will report my finding in two days.

Replaced the Module and new Resistor the problem is still there! Guess ill pull the fuel lines.