i got the truck a few years ago, and after the transmition failed it set for a year before i got a new trani and replaced it. after i got it working again in ran fine for a month or so. but then suddenly started having issues starting (i kept having to give it gas to keep it runnig right after i started it). then one day while driving, i used the motor to slow down( manual trans) and it died, and hasnt started sence. i checked the ignition system and all works fine, put some starting fluid in and it blew flame out the carburetor/intake so the electrical works, the fuel pump also turns on when i try to start it, and obv the motor turns over no problem. what part of the system would be bad? what would have those symtoms when failing? (dies after ignition, had to give it gas to get it to idle)

 

EDIT: BTW, Welcome to FTE!!!!

It takes compression, fuel, air & spark to make em run, so whats going missing????

Does this puppy really have a carb, or is it throttle body fuel injection????

Have you checked fuel pressure & volume delivery over time???? If either is low, when last was the fuel filter changed????

Did you have fuel stabilizer in the system while it was setting????

Have you checked compression????

Have you checked the air intake & air filter box, critters like to build nests in there, everything from pack rats to mud dobbers!!!!

 

If it has a carb, it should be a 2.0, 2.3s were injected, pull the small round plastic disk in the timing belt cover and see how much slack the timing belt has, it may have broke, or stretched and slipped.

 

If you follow f5's directions, you can check further by rotating the engine to TDC on the timing marks, and check that the triangle on the cam sprocket is at the pointer under the black plastic button. If not, rotate the engine 360 deg, and check again. If still not, replace the timing belt.
If a 2.0 with carb, did you pull the carb top off and check for crud in the float bowl? If a 2.3 with EFI, did you check pressure and volume flow at the injector rail?
tom

 

Pull your distributor cap and crank it, does it turn? My guess is, that as mentioned, the cam and distributor are not in the correct time.

Has your timing belt ever been changed? Was it changed about 40K ago...my guess that if so, that the person that did it didn't torque the crank nut.

 

my bad, its the throtle body, no carb. the fuel that was in it was changed out. im not sure about the timing belt. as for the air, all that has been cleared out, no more nest of things in that. it jsut seems to be nothing inside to burn. ill check the fuel filter first, i dont think its ever be changed. and about the rail, ill have to get my dad to help that, idk how to check that lol, im learning as i go

 

From the sounds of how it broke, it seems trans related. Or clutch related. Not too sure on the year, but check the clutch and slave cylinder. I know I got air in my line one time on my mustang and it would not let it start for this reason.