78 244 DL Starts, Runs, Dies, Repeats

[Gumcrew2]

I'm helping a friend with a 78 244 DL:
Wasn't getting fuel, replaced the frame-rail pump, no dice. Went ahead and replaced the intank pump. And got fuel pressure checked at the filter under the hood.

When we changed the intank pump, the tank was DRY, bone dry, nothing, and the pickup filter was missing NOT floating around in the tank, yup, and of course the pump was clogged with crap. Additionally the 2 fuel lines to the pump had the clamps already loosened and slid-back as if just taken off, interesting.

Tossed 2 gallons in it, cranked it a good 30 times and finally got enough fuel to run. Drove it around the block. Accelerated extremely poorly, as if not getting fuel.

Now it will crank-start- idle for 0.5-1.5seconds, die.
Turn the key to the run position and can watc fuel gush out of the filter if I loosen a fitting at all.
When it dies I can hear electrical (maybe fuel pump still going, maybe a relay ?) sounds for a second or two.

Air in the fuel lines? Still not enough fuel in the tank? Some crap sucked up and cloggin a fuel line?

Found the distributor cap to be half-on properly, so the contacts are somewhat scarred, but I've seen much worse still run fine.

The vehicle is kinda ghetto under the hood: butt-splices on O2 sensor, Cam sensor (sensor inside distributor), ignition coil, etc. Looks like someone had a field day under the hood of it.

Open to suggestions ! Whats your thoughts?
Saul

[FCPEURO]

Sounds like a crackhead was working on that car. I would go over everything. If the fuel pressure is ok and flowing well through the injectors (K-Jet car I assume), check to make sure the place is aligned correctly. If that is all set then you need to make sure you are getting good spark to all of the cylinders.

Check all of that and let us know what you find.