Last tune up was I don't even remember how long ago. I put a new set of points in about 3 years ago (I think).

Would a problem with the points cause the symptoms, ie. working fine until it warms up?

Quote from: Howley on June 08, 2008, 12:48:59 AM
Would a problem with the points cause the symptoms, ie. working fine until it warms up?

I'd start with some simple stuff.

points and condenser is as good a place to start as any.

Quote from: ducpainter on June 08, 2008, 03:41:58 AM
I'd start with some simple stuff.

points and condenser is as good a place to start as any.

yeah, don't even need to buy new ones just to check... sand off the connections on the current ones and see if there is corrosion or a bad connector or moisture in there.

Points are not likely to cause your problem, nor is the condenser.  Time to change them anyway.  Now that we know how basic your van is, bring someone with you.  When the problem happens, just pull a plug wire, insert a screwdriver, hold near ground and have your assistant try to start your engine.  Good spark?  Fuel problem.  No spark?  Test coil as I described before.  Or even just go to the store and buy one, conventional coils are cheap.

Quote from: howie on June 08, 2008, 06:10:22 AM
Points are not likely to cause your problem, nor is the condenser.  Time to change them anyway.  Now that we know how basic your van is, bring someone with you.  When the problem happens, just pull a plug wire, insert a screwdriver, hold near ground and have your assistant try to start your engine.  Good spark?  Fuel problem.  No spark?  Test coil as I described before.  Or even just go to the store and buy one, conventional coils are cheap.

I've seen condensers do some strange things Howie...

I wouldn't rule it out.

I've also seen points short at the pivot and wires to the points chafe and ground when hot...

of course it's been a long time since I've seen a set of points.

Quote from: ducpainter on June 08, 2008, 08:48:12 AM
of course it's been a long time since I've seen a set of points.

you're welcome..

Quote from: ducpainter on June 08, 2008, 08:48:12 AM
I've seen condensers do some strange things Howie...

I wouldn't rule it out.

I've also seen points short at the pivot and wires to the points chafe and ground when hot...

of course it's been a long time since I've seen a set of points.

Condensers will indeed do strange things.  Most of the bad condensers I ran across were new out of the box though.  They don't wear  My '79 BMW had the original condenser for over 100K miles.  Finally the pig tale gave out, the condenser itself was just fine.

Ducpainter is correct about the point and condenser wires causing problems, not just from chafing but also constant breaker plate movement.  The wire will fracture inside the insulation.  Insulation warms up and expands, open circuit.

Like I said, change the points and condenser anyway, they are overdue.  Besides erosion, rubbing blocks wear and spring tension can weaken.  While you are at it, check the ground wire from the breaker plate.

*UPDATE*

I took the coil to the auto leccy and it checked fine. I opened up the distributor and noticed the posts were badly corroded, so I replaced the cap, rotor and points. I took it for a few laps, and was freaking out as I got to the spots where it crapped out before, but it didn't happen! I ended up doing maybe 10 laps with no problems, so I guess it's fixed! Thanks to all you guys for your help, that's why I love this place.

i wonder if there was some spot on the advance plate or a bad spring in the distributor -- did it have a vacuum advance or just mechanical?

Not sure, probably mechanical.

Quote from: Howley on July 06, 2008, 02:05:55 AM
Not sure, probably mechanical.

Does a vacuum hose go to it? That would sort of narrow it down 

Quote from: someguy on July 06, 2008, 09:35:30 AM
Does a vacuum hose go to it? That would sort of narrow it down 

vacuum hose and a drum with an armature going into the dist.

vac is usually supplementary to mechanical tho, usually not just vac.