Okay by “throwing fits”, I’m saying that my little truck runs great normally and it started a slight miss occasionally and sometimes would backfire. Ok it’s progressed now to the point that when I get it to start it misses and chokes down till it dies like it’s running out of gas.

Here’s what I’ve done to it so far within the last two months:
New plugs, wires, distributor cap, air filter, fuel filter, fuel pump, mass air flow sensor, oxygen sensor, timing chain, water pump, oil pump. Cat conv had already been eliminated when I got it.

Yes the timing is right on it before you think it’s related. Paid a guy to do it and he had her 180 out. Killed a month trying to get someone to help me with it I’m a single woman and not bad looking but I know enough about working on vehicles that I’m not gonna be took to the cleaners and I’m not gonna trade myself or “motivational pics” of myself to get something done. This issue has really made me hate the fact that I’m a woman a couple of times! Long story short I decided to do it myself. I know a great Nissan mechanic who isn’t physically able to do things now but he’s a great consultant and he checked my work before I put it back together and he assured me it is in perfect time! It was running great except these occasional fits but last night it just refused to straighten up even after letting it cool off completely. Now she’s setting where she died at a friend’s house and I don’t know what to try first. I really can’t afford to just throw parts at it.

Also, thanks to this club and there wonderful manuals, I’m pretty sure that mine is the California version. Just my luck! It has a grey and a brown sensor located where most online pics, manuals, and the few trucks I’ve looked at personally only have a single sensor.

Welcome aboard.

First order of business: Any check engine light?

Yes but it was giving the MAF sensor (I replaced that) and the other 2 or 3 codes were related to swirling stuff (which totally got me lost). no one ever mentions anything related to that so I haven’t went in that direction.

One other question... does anyone know if or how the extra California emissions stuff can be eliminated or bypassed? Maybe like an egr delete?

Where did you buy the MAF?
Aftermarket MAFs are often bad straight out of the store.
Happened to me twice from one of those chain stores..
Sometimes a junkyard original Nissan MAF is a better choice than a "rebuilt" one from a chain store.

Ok it came from a local advance store. Where the truck is setting broke down at now, the guy that lives there has 2 of these little trucks... I’ll swap one out if he’s cool with it and see if that’s the culprit.
Been reading on some stuff tonight and I’ve learned that the same symptoms could be caused by the egr valve? What is the easiest was to check that?

Update: As it turns out, the guy’s truck is same year and everything as mine and it’s been running just fine! Spent most of the day switching out sensors and relays and eliminating our possibilities, there is an issue with the spark from distributor. So we swapped it with his and she purrs like she should! Turns out that after mine was taken apart we find that it needs the ignition control module and a flat round disc with lines and marks all the way around the outer edge. Is this disc called a breaker plate or fixing plate? I’m struggling to find it’s name. Was hoping to rebuild it but found out the parts store can’t even order the parts. I also read that the distributors on ‘86 and later models cannot be rebuilt? Anyone know if that’s the case? Suggestions for where to buy a good quality replacement distributor? I’m taking a field trip to the junk yards tomorrow with fingers crossed!
I really appreciate this club and spend a lot of time looking at other members issues and their experience with these trucks! It has been super helpful and educational for me personally lol! Thanks in advance for your time, suggestions and any instructions given on resolving my current problem!

I'd consider a Cardone or one of the others in that budget range:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/nis ... butor,7108

Thanks I really appreciate it. I’ve seen those on eBay and they are reasonably priced.
I was able to get one from the junkyard today and so far it’s solved my problems! Never know how long the one I got today will last but I may get a new one and put it on the shelf.

Nicely done.

Glad to see a good outcome!