911 Stalling During Drive

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

I have a '76 911 with a 3.0 engine, and today while I was coming home, driving at 35 mph, the engine stalled. The oil temperature was about 170 degrees (a little below the middle mark) and the car was driving at about 2,500 RPM in third gear. The gauges were all normal, except the RPM's dropped down to zero and the engine stalled (all while driving). I then coasted over, and tried to start the car up. It cranked, but did not start up. When I attempted to start it, the oil and battery light were on in the dashboard. The fuel pump ran, and all of the gauges showed normal levels. I checked the connections to the battery, and eveything was fine. I checked the spark plug/coil wire connections, and they were all tight. After about 5 minutes, and about 3 unsuccesful attempts to start, the car finally started up normally, and I drove home fine.
This same exact situation happened a month ago as well. Could it be the starter solenoid? CDI Box? Did something get too hot and need to cool off?
The alternator was checked a few months ago, and it is in great condition. The fuel pump has been replaced as well in January.

Please help!

Thanks!

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Fuel filter is suspect here. Starved for fuel until the contaminates settle, then starts again. Cheap insurance even it turns out to be something else.

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

Thanks Terry. That's interesting. The fuel filter was replaced about a month ago. The car stalled with the old filter, and now again with the new one, so I don't think it is the filter.
I just took it for another drive about an hour ago, and it stalled again about 2 miles from the house. I waited about 10 minutes, and it started up again. Weird. It doesn't look like I'll be going to the swap meet with the 911 tomorrow

. Does anyone else have any suggestions as to what the problem might be?

Note: the oil is half way full, and the gasoline in the tank is half full as well.

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

Could the fuel lines be causing this problem as well? They do not look like they have been replaced at all.