Have you tried changing the fuel filter? My '87 raider was acting similarly recently. When I installed a new filter the problem went away. The old filter looked like it was full of mud. Just my two cents...

I did try that but it did not matter. When it 1st happened I had a 2nd filter my dad had left in the glove box but it was used and I was stuck. He had changed it a year B4 even though it was not necessary needed. I put that one on because the one I removed had a little orangish color that came out when I dumped it along with a milkish color at the very bottom. The fuel was clear until I got to the liquid at the bottom of the filter.

I bought a new filter yesterday and plan to install it.

Have you thought about changing out the carb to a Weber?

Funny you mention that. Actually I have but I 1st would want to know what it takes to do it and how does it affect power and mileage etc?

I see a few people who have said they did so but at the time I never asked how it affected performance and mileage and what alterations were required.

Water in the fuel? Milky stuff in the bottom of the filter? Pull the drain plug on the tank for a few glugs and see what comes out, or pull the fuel line off the carb and pump about 10sec of cranking time into a glass jar.

How long did this truck sit, and how long ago? Does the fuel smell like varnish?

It's easier to rebuild the stock carb than to install a weber, and it's easy to rebuild.

The truck sat for 2 years.

Did not realize the fuel tank had a plug on it to drain it.

Does it really?

I will run it down to an 1/8 tank again and drain it out then. Maybe a bunch of gunk will come out.

By the way I have noticed on 3 occasions that the air breather casing around the carb has had some balled up drops of water around in in a few places. The 1st time it was happened was the day I drove the truck home from TN to MI their was a lot of water but after I changed the air filter and cleaned everything up the water has not reappeared except for the few little water drops I mentioned on two or 3 other occasions.

How the hell is that water getting in there? Every thing is sealed up. Could few water drops dropping in the carb or on top of it cause a serious carb issue?

I have never rebuilt a carb like this one. It has a lot of pieces on it. How long does it take to rebuild one and where is the best place to order the kit from? What does the rebuild kit come with?

The water is condesation. Won't hurt anything.

The carb kit has a needle and seat and accel pump diaphragm. The main benefit is the opportunity to blow out all the passages well. and readjust the float level and inspect the secondary actuator diaphragm. The kit may also have a couple of other bits in it, but not much. Ebay or dealer for the carb kit - pretty cheap. It's easy to rebuild except for getting the choke linkage loose from the top cover. Not all that tough, just finicky and little parts.

Sweet. The 1st time I had issues I opened the carb cover and there was a lot of water under the filter. About 3 tablespoons. I had to soak it up with a paper towel. This was when I 1st started having issues. Its likely just coincidence but thought I would mention it.