Hey guys. My 86' Trooper w/ 2.3 carb engine started acting up about two days ago and I cannot seem to find the problem. When it first started to have problems I was sitting in a drive-thru and it just shut-off for no reason. At that time it started right up and ran fine. The second time it did something odd was about two days later when it started and ran fine all day until I stopped by my fathers restoration shop. I turned it off, went inside for about 30 mins. and when I came back out it tried to start on the first turn of the key but then stalled. It needed me to keep on the gas to keep it running. If I let off the gas it would stall. I popped the hood, checked for any loose gound strapes cuz I've had simular problems and it be a loose ground. I found nothing so I shut the hood and turned the key and it started up with no problem. That evening it did not have a problem starting but it was week going up hills. The following morning it would not start unless I was giving it gas and it would stall at every stop I made and it would chug as you drove it.

This is what I have done so far to try to repair the problem;

I changed spark plugs
I changed the fuel filter
I replaced the fuel pump
I sprayed carb cleaner down the carb.
I checked for any loose connections that would control the fuel or carb.
I cleaned all ground connections
I checked to make sure that the carb and intake manifold was tight

Today I was thinking of doing a head gasket test and a leak down test.

What do you think???

If you haven't found the problem, you might check for vacuum leaks, as well as your cap, rotor, & wires.