Ive been chasing problem after problem on my 72 b200. lately its been sputtering and running rough, sputtering, backfiring. i replaced the vacuum lines and did points, condenser a few months back and adjusted the carb about a month ago, and just checked the timing. its very inconsistent some days it will run alright some days great and some days terrible which leads me to today. On my way to pick up my son it just died, basically acted like it ran out of gas, but there's at least 5 gallons in there. Anyone have any ideas or know anyone in the Pittsburgh area thats good with ye olde slant six?

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'72 Dodge B200

This problem could be a lot of things; you'll need to do basic diagnosis. Have you checked for spark and fuel when it stalls?

You would be very much happier with an electronic ignition.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

how do i go about swapping in an electronic ignition?

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'72 Dodge B200

in your opinion, would i be better off going with the kit or pulling it from a yard

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'72 Dodge B200

My preference is for the HEI upgrade. However, if that's outside your level of skill and/or available time and money, and how worn(-out) your present distributor is or isn't, you may want to put a Pertronix kit in the existing distributor instead.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I dont mind the wiring, but I think im going to go with the pertronix kit just to stay as close to stock as possible. My distributor is in good shape but my last question is whether to get the 1361A or 91361A ( ignitor kit or ignitor II kit). Thanks for the advice by the way this has been a huge help.

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'72 Dodge B200

I second the HEI upgrade. However, if you are going the Pertronix route, I believe you want Pertronix 91361A.

Dan is right. Your symptoms could be caused by numerous things. Before I spent the money and effort to install a Pertronix kit, I would do a through tune up and do some basic old-car maintenance checks. Check the condition of your plugs, plug wires, and coil. Check for timing chain stretch and for vibration dampener outer pulley slippage. Replace all filters (oil, air, fuel). Check that your fuel lines aren't disintegrating internally due to modern fuel blends. Check that the fuel sending unit pickup isn't clogged in the tank. Check for an internally failed muffler clogging the exhaust. Check for vacuum leaks and carburetor wear.

I did plugs, wires, coil, and dist cap last september, adjusted the carb about a month or so ago, i did the all the fuel lines + new tank february of 11, as well as the exhaust from headers back. I'm going to look further into vacuum leaks because the line i just replaced ( fuel tank to canister) helped. I havent checked for timing chain stretch but the motor only has 40k on it, it just sat for almost as long as ive been alive lol. the alternator is to be replaced in a day or so when it comes in because the one on it is a dud, but i dont believe that can really be connected to my engine issues could it?

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'72 Dodge B200

If so, you've got strange problems. Even if that line were absent or had holes or cracks in it, it would not cause a vacuum leak that would affect how the engine runs. I suspect the vacuum hose hookup on your vehicle is foozled.
Check anyhow.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

If the alternator died and the van was running off the battery, and if the battery voltage got so low that it could no longer fire the coil properly, then it IS possible for a dead alternator to cause rough running and dying. However, if your battery still has a charge, then it likely isn't a dead alternator causing your rough running problems. I would verify the other potential causes before I blamed the poor running on a dead alternator.

If you don't yet have the three books described in this thread, get 'em as soon as you can.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

UPDATE. heading to the library in the morning, they carry both the stockel and petersen books. but two more quick questions A) could slowly replacing these different parts cause the ignition to need retimed and B) when i took it to my mechanic to do the fuel and brake lines, he installed an electric fuel pump, could it possibly not be pumping enough fuel?

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'72 Dodge B200

The ignition timing must be set after the points are replaced, yes.
Why did your mechanic install an electric fuel pump?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Not really sure he suggested it and at the time i wasnt too familiar with the engine, figured he knew better than i.

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'72 Dodge B200

I do not share your confidence in his knowledge vs. yours. An electric fuel pump on a vehicle such as yours is best reserved as a last-resort/get-by measure to work around one specific problem (camshaft fuel pump eccentric worn out, usually only with very high miles and/or a serious lubrication problem). Unless that specific problem exists, putting an electric fuel pump on a vehicle like yours has the potential to cause a lot more problems, including serious safety problems, than it has the potential to solve. Go ask him specifically why he said you should put in an electric pump.

And depending on how he selected the pump and hooked it up, it may or may not be contributing to your poor running.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.