86 g63b issues

[Gunsmoke]

Hey guys , I inherited a 86 colt vista g63b SOHC carb manual trans 4x4 ( I know not a sweet little pickup ) but having a hard time finding info on on replacement parts . Thought you guys may have some insight on these motors . Not many people out there restoring vistas lol. Sat for 10 + yrs with bad head gasket . 33k original miles . I Replaced gaskets, machined head , new timing belt , water pump , tensioners . Rebuilt carb flushed tank and replaced fuel lines . All vacuum lines checked and replaced if needed . Got it all timed/tuned up and running good . The problem - runs great then looses spark once warm / hot . After cool down restarts/ runs good until heat returns. It dies like running out of fuel but fuel pressures all check out . When it is in a no start/ hot state I have no signal coming from distributor to condenser ? On the coil . Tested with test light cranking over Motor w clutch in . Icm in distributor ? Local parts stores can’t find replacement distributor and replacement icm is 208 bucks( and it doesn’t look right compared to the one in my distributor) . Any ideas where to get good aftermarket distributor ? Am I completely confused as to what’s going on with this thing ? I feel like I’m close but still missing something. Never been to savy with electric systems. Thanks

[geezer101]

Ok as a general rule of thumb - look at the coil and/or the ballast resistor for problems. It's exhibiting classic symptoms of a dead coil pack or the ballast resistor ceramic body has cracked. It'll start fine when cold and run ok - until it heats up (and the ballast resistor will get HOT if it's failed - a quick touch by hand when the engine has died will tell you straight up) Won't start for 10 -15 minutes. Then rinse and repeat. A coil really should be replaced every 10 - 15 years max and I'd buy a replacement with the ballast resistor integrated into it as to kill 2 birds with one stone so to speak.

[Gunsmoke]

Thx geez I’ll go check it out

[Gunsmoke]

Ok , replaced coil and ballast resistor . Ran smoother and longer than before but still same symptoms. Started to sputter out in third gear pulling a pretty good hill . Not lugged but at the top of gear in pretty good rpm ? Any more ideas??? Thanks

[Gunsmoke]

K , changed coil , ballast resistor . Ran smoother and longer than normal ... but same symptoms are still present . Started to sputter out on a pretty good pull in third gear at hi rpm . Died and would not start for 10 min . Limped her home and back to square one . Any more insight ¿¿ thanks

[geezer101]

Hmm. Fuel pressure checks ok. Carb rebuilt. Still think it's an ignition problem though due to the other related symptoms. The ICM should be readily available on ebay and at a reasonable price. Complete reman'd distributors can be had for $70ish USD. Look up the equivalent part # for the ICM on ebay and I guarantee it'll be a heap cheaper than the price you've been quoted.

[Gunsmoke]

Sorry for the late response, holidays over and back to the vista . Think I’m going with a new / reman distributor. Any brands known to be good or junk ?

[samram]

so any news? It's been since 2019.