engine dies when put in reverse

Joel, my first hunch is that someone you know has placed a hex upon you and you need to find out who that is. Do you have any chicken bones handy?

But there is a remote possibility it's the grounding strap that connects the transaxle to the pan. The transaxle could be moving enough when you go from forward gears to reverse to be tweaking a loose or dirty electrical connection in that grounding strap.

Find both ends of the strap (probably near where the tranny mounts), disconnect them, clean to bare metal, and reconnect.

AutoZone is a good place to look, though, if you need chicken bones.

Shorted back up light switch?

Doc--give Kirk Duncan a call at Vintage---he knows these cars like no one else and can help you I am certain.  I hate this for you but I know you will get to the bottom of it.  Let us know what was causing your issue when you fond out.

When you put it in reverse to back up (engine running), what does the back-up light look like?   Nice and bright, or kind-of dull, or not lit?  that might or might not point me towards a ground problem.

If you had a short in the reverse light circuit I would expect ti hear of a blown fuse but that's not the case.

At least now you can put a voltmeter on the + side of the coil to see what happens when you shift into reverse with the key on.  I'm curious to know....

Either the wiring to the reverse lights is grounding out (and the in-line fuse has been bypassed) to create a bad voltage drop at the coil, though I'd expect you to notice the burning wire smell, or you've incorrectly connected the wire for the reverse lights to the negative (-) side of the coil instead of the positive side (+). Either way, sounds like when the reverse light switch is engaged, it's killing power to the ignition.

Something in the backup light (+ side, I think) is wired to the coil. Follow all those wires—on the coil, the light, and the switch on the front of the transaxle, pull them to check, and if nothing is loose or broken, clean the contacts and put it back together. 

I spoke with Kirk at Vintage today as per Jack's suggestion and he told me that there has been similar problems with backup light switches and to just disconnect it for now which I had done this a.m. as per Roy. I may be able to get the car up on a lift on Thursday and will be able to test the switch. Thanks guys for all your replies and I will keep you posted when I know more.

Joel

It's always something, isn't it?

I have multiple ground straps(3) from trans to chassis. Negative battery cable attached directly to chassis at a trans mount bolt.

I'd replace the ground strap. Also, I have a brand new backup switch, I'll bring it to Carlisle, it came 2 in a box.

Yeah, if Joel doesn't need it, I'll take it (mine is weeping).

Danny I'll need the backup switch-I went to get one yesterday but it was out of stock-Thanks-Joel

OK with me - Hey!  Mine only weeps.  Yours is killing your engine!