Sputters or dies after running a while.

[NWMO]

A little “smoke” wouldn’t bother me. Mine would sizzle/boil when poured in. I still think it sounds like fuel starvation

Chris

[Mogordo]

Thanks. I'm still not figuring it out. I won't be working on it this weekend but maybe by next.

[Paul]

You might have a couple issues to sort out... maybe fuel and ignition. Does it run OK when the engine is cold?
My first wagon had a similar problem that turned out to be ignition. It would run fine until warmed up, then sputter out and not restart until it cooled off. I swapped distributors and all was good, but maybe your 83 distributor is failing. I would check for spark again when it's hot and not starting.

[Mogordo]

It does have spark even when it's hot and not starting. But it is only stalling if it's been running a while. Distrubutor was my thought prior to swapping it and having the same issue with a diffferent disributor in it.

[Mogordo]

I want to take a look inside the fuel tank and from what I guess I just take out the five screws that were here (I'm including an image) and take the plate off. The plate feels pretty secure so I just want to find out if I am right that it should come off once the screws are out. Is that all that is fastening it? It may be rusty and a little stuck but I don't want to put too much pressure on it until I know if I am doing the correct thing.

[Nordical25]

This can be related to anything. Do you have an RPM gauge in your car? Does it move when it is hot and not starting?

Second question is, are the spark plugs wet when it is hot and not starting?

[Mogordo]

Hmm... Both good questions I don't know the answers to. I haven't messed with it running in weeks either so details aren't fresh in my mind. The last time I tried so I could check something my dad suggested I could not get it to quit running. There I was just wanting my car to stop running already and it just wouldn't. And it had been pretty reliable in dying up until then.
As far as the RPM gauge to you mean moves a lot or a little? I am thinking that it does not move when the car is done running because the engine isn't doing any revolutions. I don't know if I ever checked the spark plugs after it quit running so even if I did I'd have to again to know.

[Nordical25]

You will notice very small movement of RPM gauge if your ignition system works as planned. Therefore that is a very good gauge to monitor state of your ignition system. It if works well, then you will take a closer look of fuel system.

[Mogordo]

Thanks for that information.