Sounds like something with the front tank. Probably the pump, but I'm sure you check the fuel for water etc.....

 

96 5.0 w/P0385. You say possibly build up of crud on it? Do you need to remove part to clean crud off, or is it an external surface thing? My truck is running like the timing is off really bad. I have no timing light. I can adjust the timing manually with engine off, set to right marks, #1 piston up, rotor pointing at #1 terminal, intake and exhaust valves closed. Can I test the CPS while it is removed? I can't get the leads to the terminals to test while it is mounted. Book says to test while engine running though. What to do?

 

You gotta pull pull the spout connector to check the timing.

 

You need a timing light to properly set the timing.

 

Yeah, I found that one out. Oh well. Thanks. I got my truck figured out. It started running bad, like it was missing. So, I knew it had been far too long since a proper tune up. I got the tune up done, and still ran crappy. Found code for the crank pos sensor. took it off, cleaned it up (was pretty cruddy) and put it back on. Truck still ran cruddy, but code was gone. In doing tune up, I wired the plugs according to my faithful Chilton manual. Turns out, my Chilton manual was released in 97, and they had some updated versions since then to correct some things... like the firing order on post-94 5.0's... I got the backfire/misfire issue solved. runs great when warm now, a bit rough on cold start, but good once warm. I'll get a timing light and d/c the spout, to set timing true. Thanks.