The module? 1998 Chevy Silverado Pick-up starting troubles

Hello. My first post (except for the one I submitted two hours ago which never materialized here) I have been through a few related posts.

From Pennsylvania. Know nothing of trucks but what this one has taught me and what little I have read and trust.

My 1998 Chevy 1500 Pick up, three door, extended cab, V-8 Vortec, automatic has intermittent start up troubles rendering it unreliable, though I feel it has much life left. I've let it sit for a winter and summer though take it for a three mile spin to prevent atrophy and blow the boxelder bugs and maple seeds out. Also to get gas as the *gas gauge is broken.

History:
It cut out on me twice one day in mid 2014 whilst driving, but not since.
More common problem is that it ALMOST ALWAYS does not start within an hour and a half of having been running. It ALWAYS starts when it has not been running for at least four hours.
Battery very peppy, it turns and turns just doesn't catch.
Fuel pump works. Can hear it.
Plenty of gas.
Replaced fuel filter at least twice in the last year.
Carburetor gets gas.

Someone recently told me of the module in the distributor, with its specialized grease and what that does to reduce overheating. I am wondering if a bad module might be what I need to replace. Same person told me how to check for spark next time it doesn't start, by using the spark plug wire while someone turns the key. Problem is, I took the thing out for a spin last night (was running for 30 minutes) and it failed to fail when I got home, meaning it surprised me by starting multiple times, right away after I turned the key off and shut it down. It was a bit cooler yesterday here.

Could it be the module? If so, would that be fickle according to temperature fluctuation or something else?

*The truck's gas gauge became faulty, I am sure, on the same day in 2012 that I had the truck overloaded and sagging from too much weight in the bed in 2012.
There has also been a 2013 transmission replaced,
Two bouts with overheating 2013 and 2014, and two respective $40 bottles of Barsleaks.
One Heater core replaced in 2013.

Any comment about the module or perhaps coil, but mostly module, appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian