Last week my 89 pickup (22RE) died on the road. In the couple weeks prior to this, it had been running almost as if it were missing, sort of studdering, while under constant throttle. Under load it seemed to be less noticeable but still there. Idle seemed normal though.

At this point, the truck will start fairly strong, run for 5-10 seconds as it slowly starts to chug and sputter then quit. I can barely keep it going sometimes by feathering the gas pedal, but pressing the pedal much at all just makes it stall.

I've been troubleshooting the fuel system, and while I haven't been able to actually test pressure yet, the pump seems to be working fine and the filter is new. I pulled the return line off the pressure regulator and jumpered the fuel pump test pins and I don't get any fuel coming out of the return of the pressure regulator - not a drop. I loosened the banjo bolt on the cold start injector and there seems to be good pressure there so I think the rail is getting good pressure.

Now there should be fuel running through the regulator and back to the tank, correct? If the pressure regulator is blocked or not working, would that keep the engine from running altogether?

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions.
- Chuck