k... I feel stupid

[74runner]

I know this isn't a muscle car question, but this is really killing me. I have an 84 ramcharger 318/auto. yesterday I started it up and drove it about 100 ft. then it stalled out. it cranks over, but looks like it ain't gettin any spark. It had tree burnt wires so I changed the cap, rotor and wires. and nothing happened. swapped plugs, nothin. it's been stalling at low RPMs lately, and seemed like the timeing was out..... any clue on what to try next...... I HATE electrical:mad:

[auggie56]

Did you check to see the distributor rotates when you crank the engine ?
Next look for and loose or bad connections.

Do you know what a ballast resister is ?
It's that flat white porcelain thing on your firewall. Usually on the driver's side, with a plug on each end with two wires.
Take a test light and with the key on, check to see if there is voltage on all four wires. If not replace it.

That is the most common failure and the easiest to check. If that is OK see if you can find a good used electronic ignition control box and try that. It's about twice the size of a pack of cigarettes, and has a rubber plug with several wires going to it.
I have no Idea how to test it without a specialized tester.

Last would be a pickup unit in the distributor. That can be checked I think with an Ohm meter but I'm not sure how.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.