It's an 81 EC without computer. It may run a week or a few hours and just quit and won't crank. This happened 5 times over the past month. Good battery. New starter. Good battery cables. Most times I can get it restarted by removing the ignition wire from the starter and reconnect it. When I do get it started I wiggle the ignition switch and also the shift lever hopping it's either one but it has no effect. I traced the wire back to the bulkhead and it appears okay. I don't see a ballast resistor (did this year have them)? Any ideas or recommendations? Thanks

Ignition switch?

I think I found the problem. After I got it running I jiggled the bunch of wires going to the bulkhead fuse block. The engine stopped. Found 1 wire hidden behind the distributor that had been spliced with crimp on connector. It looked to be in bad shape and replaced it. She started about 50 times in a row. Still can't be sure 100% if that was problem. If not probably replace ignition switch.

Grounds are a weak link in Chevys. The goofy negative jumper, from battery terminal to fender can be troublesome. I run the ground right to block, and use a Ford Starter cable to
ground frame to block. Add jumper ground from frame to firewall, and fender. Your delicate electronics will last longer, a poor ground is tough on them. As a bonus, you should get brighter lights, and a louder horn.

AW80 has the right idea. Bonding all major parts together saves a lot of head aches, and some times a a lot of un-needed parts!

going straight to the block or alternator bracket with your battery cable is a good idea. a good ground strap from the block to frame and frame to body is a good idea as well.

theres no such thing as too many grounds. :nanawrench:

but i feel your pain on the crimp on connectors. im still running through wiring on my truck. the previous owner loved them and didnt seem to know the right way to crimp them. i think every electrical system on the truck has atleast a couple crimp connections.

if you should decide to use them, the best thing you can do is solder them after you crimp them. it makes for alot better connection and they will handle more power soldered.