I bought a brand new distributor a couple weeks ago. It worked great until a couple days ago when my truck stalled on my wife. It started right back up and didn't experience the problem again until today. I was on the freeway in traffic, coasting in 3rd and I felt one slight buck. I didn't even realize I wasn't under power as I was going down hill and it is a 3 speed standard, so the transmission was forcing the engine to turn. When I stepped on the gas nothing because it was dead in the water. So, of course I pulled to the side, sat there and tried it every few minutes while my wife went on ahead in her car and called AAA (kids were using the cell phone earlier to call their friends and didn't leave it in mommy's purse... oops). I get it towed home and of course as soon as the driver drops me, I try it again and it starts on the key. http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/frown.gif

Sounds to me like the module can't handle the heat or something? Anyone ever run into this? Maybe it is some cheap POS module?

Sounds like the module is getting too hot, or is faulty to begin with. I've purchased "brand new" distributors with bad modules in the past, so definitely check that out. It got so bad one time I started carrying a couple spares in the glove compartment!

You could also check for loose wires, make sure the power wire is solid.

Does your truck have a tachometer? Next time this happens unplug it and see if it starts. If you have a tach and it's on the way out, that can cause the distributor to ground out and die. Good luck!

Heat sink grease?

Last year I had a "flaky" coil in an HEI and it did almost exactly what you describe, too.

They agreed to replace the whole unit. I just have to send it back to them.

I had a 72 that would start sometimes, not start others. If I lifted the car with a jack, it would start. Level, it wouldn't. I chased that DANG problem for 4 months. Then, found the power lead wire was broken under the sheath. When tilted just enough, it made contact and started. If level, there was a break in the wire. MAN, that was the most aggravating $.50 cent improvement I've ever had!

I had a similar problem with an '87 GMC 454TBI. When I looked at the module I noticed it was some aftermarket piece, but the grease wasn't fully smeared on the back. So, I smeared the heat-sink grease a little more and tightened the module down fully and never had another problem with it.

That's a common coil overheating issue. When the HEI module goes bad/dies, you'll not be starting that engine again. I had that problem when I first got my Camaro. I couldn't run the car for more than half an hour before it would stall. It would then start back up a half hour later. I put a new coil on it and didn't have a problem till I blew up the trans about 5 years later.