OK..  While I work on this I thought I would throw it out to the people that are much smarter than I..

1981 350, completely stock and original.  I put about 1000 miles on it after I bought it and now I am having a small problem with the engine.  I replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor and distributor electonics.  Today, I take it for a run to the AutoZone, about 13 miles away.  On the way there it purrs.   I stop, get my stuff, come out and start the car.  I get a "check engine" light and it has a rough idle.  I head for home and I have reduced power, although it was able to get up to freeway speed.  It wants to die at lights.  I did get one small backfire when I tried to accelerate hard.  Made it home..  There are no "abnormal" noises coming from the engine.  Check Engine light is on continuously while I am driving.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance! - Carl

....I replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor and distributor electonics......
That's where I would start!! If you replaced the module, you may have gotten the wrong one, or a defective one. The same for the coil, either could be the problem. If you let it sit and completely cool down, does it run OK again until it gets hot? If so, I would go for the module and/or the coil. Pull the codes and see what the car is telling you. Bet you get an "EST"(electronic spark timming) code, or similar.

 

EST is a code 42, a good possibility.  But it may also be a lean condition from a vacuum leak,  low fuel pressure due to a pump, filter, or line problem.

Jumper pins A and B, then watch the flashing check engine light.  It will blink once, then twice.  This is a code 12.  It will pause a bit longer, and repeat it for a total of three times.  It will then display any more codes 3 times each.  When done, it will start over with the code 12 again.

If you do have a code let us know what it is, and I can help you track it down.

kstyer38494.8714351852

I looked at the codes and there were trouble codes for the M/C solenoid and running lean from the O2 sensor.  I'm going to rebuild the carb and see if that clears up the problem. 

Do any of you know what the pin-out signals are for the 5 pin ALDL connector?  I have the service manual but I can't seem to find the information. 

Thanks!  Carl

They are the same.  Just jumper the A to B.

I would look at other things before rebuilding the carb.  The solenoid ususally does not fail.  It can but not normally.  The lean code is a result, not a cause.  It is probably something done in the previous work causing the problem.  It's very unlikely the O2 sensor or MC solenoid failed directly after the other work.  You may have a  bad plug, crossed wire, or similar problem.

The computer is stupid.  It assumes that everything else is okay, and bases code on that.  If the rest of the engine, ignition, fuel, is not okay, all codes are a result of those problems, and not what the codes indicate.  Look for problems that could cause the conditions for the codes to set.