Got a story for ya'll

[Kevkev1411]

So I've got an old 87 D21 with the 5 speed. I am terrible at driving stick because of the 8 months I've had it, I've only been able to drive it for three weeks roughly. Anyway since the weather was finally nice enough to get it out, I drove it out to a shop that I've trusted for a very long time. It's an hour drive on a highway (not the interstate) with several stops. Easing into first gear with no bed on it is really starting to take a toll on my ear drums. As we got about three fourths of the way, the truck just dies. No warning, I didn't do anything, it just croaks. When you fire the truck up it would lurch and lunge and do all of these crazy things. It was a mess. I finally gave up and called a tow to bring it the rest of the way.

I'm thinking clogged fuel-filter. Seemed starved for fuel. Any other opinions?

[Rogue One]

Your first guess of a clogged fuel filter sounds likely. What about a clogged fuel line?

[Kevkev1411]

I wouldn't rule it out, but I had replaced the fuel line when I got it. I've replaced most of the hoses on the tank.

[Kevkev1411]

I Talked to the mechanic today and he said that he replaced the fuel filter, fixed the brake lights, and strung up the vacuum hoses that had been kinda flopping everywhere. Now all I need is to run new spark plugs, wires, and check the distributor. If it isn't running great after that, I'm not sure what the problem would be. Mechanic said it isn't anything with the engine or trans, and that they are in surprisingly good shape.

[Rogue One]

You've probably thought about this too, but what about the fuel pump? Could it be on it's way out?

[Kevkev1411]

It turns out that the hose connected into the bottom of the fuel filter had three holes in it. You'd think either me or the mechanic would've spotted them. But anyway we threw new hoses there, and also on the gas tank, and fired it up. Last week I replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, distributor rotor, and the fuel filter. This week we threw new hoses in it and I'm putting mufflers on it tomorrow. Fired it up today and it stumbled a little at first from not being started in a while, but when it settled in, it was like a new truck.