Backfire then break down.

[haydenlloyd88]

Driving my old chevy down the highway last night, all of a sudden there was like 2 or 3 loud back fire pops out the exhaust and the it died. It won't fire now. It is getting fuel to the carb, I even put some directly into the carb and it still didnt fire. Any ideas?

[Hammerlane]

check for ignition spark, motor rolls over and you have fuel.. all the essentials..
next:
Compression test

[doughchvy1]

sounds to me that the timing jumped

[haydenlloyd88]

check for ignition spark, motor rolls over and you have fuel.. all the essentials..
next:
Compression test

Would an ignition issue make it die while it's already running? And if it needs a compression test then what would that mean is wrong with it
And if the timing jumped would that keep it from firing back up?

[73chevytruck]

Yes if the timing jumped it would stop it from starting. Also take your distribitor cap off and make sure the rotor turns when you crank it over and that the cam shaft didn't break.

[xjs3667]

while you got the cap off and if it all checks out good, bring #1 cylinder to TDC on compression stroke and see if the point on the rotor is pointing to #1 cylinder, if not then timing jumped....

compression test tells the tale of why an engine wont start after checking timing, spark and fuel.  no compression means it aint guna start. and its something internal, whether it be blown rings, bent valve, bent rod, etc.

[haydenlloyd88]

It fire up but sputters then dies, looking like ignition module

[dirtydog]

pick up coil, change the dist. if it back fire an then quits with no more spark chances r the pick up coil and sometimes easier to just chance the dizzy. done it in a parking lot  i was plowing an had to change it in the snow. did it in a truck a buddy bought and got it cheap cuz of that

[Jjay78]

buddy's truck did that comming home on us10, ended up being the i.c.m. under the rotor.. changed that and it fired right back up

[xjs3667]

what year is your truck??? you said older but specify,  it might not even have a ignition control module

[Hammerlane]

check for ignition spark, motor rolls over and you have fuel.. all the essentials..
next:
Compression test

while you got the cap off and if it all checks out good, bring #1 cylinder to TDC on compression stroke and see if the point on the rotor is pointing to #1 cylinder, if not then timing jumped....

compression test tells the tale of why an engine wont start after checking timing, spark and fuel.  no compression means it aint guna start. and its something internal, whether it be blown rings, bent valve, bent rod, etc.

x2, start with spark if you have that, a comp test will ensure you have the 3 basics for the motor to run.. fuel/spark/motion (compression)
from there you are able to work into the next set of "Details" for the motor to run correctly ie.. timing/fuel mix (carb) and electronics (modules, wires, plugs, valve train)
without the first 3 basics in good working order the details mean nothing.
you stated it backfired and quit, if timing jumped this could possibly be foretold in a comp. test (lack of compression buildup due to open valve) it will also tell you if there was a mechanical failure (pistons,valves, head gasket etc..)
compression test takes only 1/2 hr. or less.
when it is determined the 3 basics are in good order then move on to timing as stated above since you will have the spark plug out anyhow.
if say spark is not present you can begin to chase that backwards thru the process, ie.. plugs/wires/cap rotor/module etc..

it's a process of elimination to determine where the fault is. start with the basics and work backwards as you find a fault with them, all of the above posts agree on inspecting the same items, we disagree on the order to check them, I have to assume you are less experienced with engines (that's not meant to be a slam, I just dont know your level of expertice)  with experience you can pass certain steps in the process, ie.. go straight towards certain details.  just trying to educate, good luck and keep us posted on your findings.

[RIP_K52007]

my k5 used to do that bout once a week. Was the ignition module everytime. But could be jumped timing...