Car ran well then stalled...

[Greg Spreeman]

I had the car on the highway yesterday, doing 75-80 mph. Ran really well. Got off the Interstate to take the local road home. Slowing up for a red light at around 2K or so, the engine just stalled. I sat there for a minute pumping the gas pedal, gave it break for a few seconds, tried it again and she fired right up. Went another mile and the same thing happened. No lights came on, on the gauges. Got home, kept the car idling, popped the rear lid, nothing of note. What do we think, float level in the carbs?

[David Jones]

Sudden switch off without any warning sounds more like ignition. Check all the electrical connections especially under the dash as you have been working on stuff with your oil temp issues.

[Ron LaDow]

Also, take a look at the power lead at the coil; you were fiddling around back there too.
I had exactly that issue and everything looked fine, but when I pulled on that lead to 'make sure', it slipped right off. It was kept in place by the heat shrink and the connector was no longer in contact with the blade.
Tightened the female connector with a pair of pliers, put it back on and went on my way.

[Mike Wilson]

How hot was it yesterday? Maybe vapor lock?

Mike

[Greg Spreeman]

Temp yesterday was maybe 75 degrees. Engine was at about 180 degrees.

[David Aronson]

This has happened to me before....I found my condenser was the problem. I started with a new coil, then refreshed all the connections. It stalled again and then did not re-ignite. had to load the car on a dolly and get it back to the shop.
I replaced the condenser and all went well.....There are just so many variables aren't there. So far I think retracing what has been done recently and making sure something isn't loose is prudent advise. What fun we have with these regularly mystifying machines.

[Larry Brooks]

No lights came on dash - I would check ignition switch/wiring and the battery connection, including ground.

[Greg Spreeman]

Hi Larry, by that, I meant that none of the gauges threw up any red flags. Everything in the dash was functioning just fine.

[Mike Wilson]

Basically the advise is check the ignition circuit from switch to distributor including coil connection. Becuase you have two C models, I'm guessing you have electric tachs. Check the connection to/from that as well. Echoing Ron's post, I had the same problem.

Mike

[Larry Brooks]

Hi Larry, by that, I meant that none of the gauges threw up any red flags. Everything in the dash was functioning just fine.

OK,
I read it as the red Generator and green oil pressure lights didn't come on. Obviously they should come on if the engine isn't running and the ignition switch is still in the on position. And I'm not sure what else the gauges would show as red flags except maybe the temp gauge reading high.

[Jon Schmid]

This has happened to me before....I found my condenser was the problem. I started with a new coil, then refreshed all the connections. It stalled again and then did not re-ignite. had to load the car on a dolly and get it back to the shop.
I replaced the condenser and all went well.....There are just so many variables aren't there. So far I think retracing what has been done recently and making sure something isn't loose is prudent advise. What fun we have with these regularly mystifying machines.

Gee, sounds somewhat familiar... 8)

[David Aronson]

OK Greg, what was it.....

[Craig Richter]

I'm betting on LaDow. I'd be almost rich if someone gave me a $ for every time one of my 356 or VW stopped because of that wire...

[Ken Tuvman]

Sounds like electrical short

[Matthew Devereux]

Points closed