72 Satellite 318 2bbl Assistance

[72PLYSAT]

I will preface this thread by stating that I am a "garage mechanic" (I can rebuild a carburetor is about the pay grade of my knowledge) so please excuse if the explanation is simplistic, thx

Short Version: Can anyone recommend an honest and reliable wiring person in the San Fernando Valley, LA that has knowledge of 70's Plymouths?

Long Version: About a month ago, at speed on the highway it crapped out and shut off as if running out of gas, but then burped and resumed running. It was a hot day, and crapped out again and wouldn't start at 7-11. Waited for it to cool, it burped and shuddered the mile home. Called a friend who recommended mechanic who diagnosed it as old engine wiring...seemed logical since the entire car is original and I did notice some cracks in the insulation. Full engine harness and $1200 later, still doing same thing, alternator gauge now always bounces, rough idle, can't stomp on it without stalling, and there are numerous wires to nowhere. I brought it back and he gave some excuse about how he didn't know the A/C worked (everything electrically worked when I brought it) that's why there are wires hanging, yada yada...still couldn't give an explanation of the stalling, or why alternator gauge bounces with rough idle, or why the ignition coil is the temperature of the SUN, so I left...

To rule other things out, I have checked/replaced: Alternator, Carburetor, Wires, Plugs, Fuel filter, Cap, Ignition coil, Rotor, Condenser, Fuel Pump...am I looking at a new fuel sending unit? dirty gas tank?...my wallet is getting thin...any advice is appreciated! Thanks, Andy

 

[Glenwood]

Fuel pump could be crapping out. When it died, did you pull the breather to see if there was fuel present?
Otherwise the ignition could have been interrupted by the ballast resistor or ecu if it has elec ignition. The coil can fail intermittently like that.

 

[WP29440SE]

engine and body grounds are paramount . make damn sure you have metal on metal contact without paint or dirt in between. especially the ECU and voltage regulator.... starter relay , etc. you should have battery to body and block, block to firewall. make sure your bulkhead connections are spotless. ECU failures can cause a host of ignition problems, as will a coil , distributor pick-up, a dirty carb , failing fuel pump. voltage regulator, weak battery, it could be so many things. I am one of those guys that has extras of everything.

 

[threewood]

Good advise above.

I'll add that a majority of wiring gremlins can be linked to the bulkhead connections of the hot wires running into the passenger compartment and through the ammeter gauge. Once the connection becomes loose it will create high resistance and start melting stuff including other wiring in contact with it. The engine harness is new but how about the dash wiring that plugs into the backside of the bulkhead connector? It may need to be inspected. Here is a simplified diagram of the two suspect wires...

 

[72PLYSAT]

Thanks, I'll check it out!