Just want to make sure you're not over thinking this too much ...

Do you have all the belts on? In particular the alternator belt. The reason I ask is because if the alternator isn't charging, then the engine will only run for a few seconds then die. What it is, is that the fuel pump runs off of the battery during cranking. Then once the engine starts, a diode inside the alternator energizes a relay and the fuel pump runs off the alternator once the engine is running. So, if you don't either have the alternator belt on, or the alternator is defective, then it'll never kick the fuel pump over to alternator power and die because you've run out of fuel. If you do have the alternator on, you might want to check the electrical connections for it, and/or get it bench tested at the auto parts store.

Just a suggestion.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />