It seems like the fuel pump or maybe even the lines could have been the main issue all along? Aren't my symptoms tell tale signs of a bad fuel pump? That could explain why the engine idles with no problem at all and then when the RPM's are anything over idle it will "chug" as if being fuel starved. The fuel pump on my car is mechanical correct?

If your mechanical fuel pump was in failure mode, it would run OK until you were moving, then it would stall. It will do this a few times before simply quitting altogether.

If your mechanical fuel pump was in failure mode, it would run OK until you were moving, then it would stall. It will do this a few times before simply quitting altogether.

Ok so thats what its doing except without the stalling part so i'm assuming its on the brink of total failure. It idles jsut fine like you said, and then when you step on the gas it hesitates. When your going about 15mph the RPM's will sort of go down and then you have to step on the gas almost 3/4 of the way to get going.

That could be two separate things other than the fuel pump. It could be a 25 year old carburetor in need of a rebuild, such as I stated in an earlier thread, or you could be stuck with a cam that has one or more lobes wiped.

Suspect the latter if it has a speed "spot" where it feels laggy. Could be accompanied by backfiring. If that's the case, it's new cam and lifter time as it will only get worse. If you go the cam/lifter route - ONLY use lifters made by one of two companies - AC/Delco or COMP - no other choices. They cost more, but are not guaranteed to wipe out within the first few thousand miles if you follow the break-in procedure by the book.

That could be two separate things other than the fuel pump. It could be a 25 year old carburetor in need of a rebuild, such as I stated in an earlier thread, or you could be stuck with a cam that has one or more lobes wiped.

Suspect the latter if it has a speed "spot" where it feels laggy. Could be accompanied by backfiring. If that's the case, it's new cam and lifter time as it will only get worse. If you go the cam/lifter route - ONLY use lifters made by one of two companies - AC/Delco or COMP - no other choices. They cost more, but are not guaranteed to wipe out within the first few thousand miles if you follow the break-in procedure by the book.

I don't think it could be a cam issue "i hope", i mean this car only has 49,000 miles. Could such a thing happen to a car that hasn't been "used or abused"? I'm going to replace the fuel pump first, then rebuild the carb, and if that doesn't fix it then i'll probably replace the cam. If i do get a new "better" cam, what else do i have to replace along with it?

So Crane is out of the question?

So Crane is out of the question?

Why would Crane be out of the question? Lifters you mean?

If you're using a flat tappet cam, COMP and GM (AC/Delco) manufacture their lifters here in the States using tried and true processes with the proper alloys of steel.

Others, I believe Crane included, use import lifters and many of these are from China and very substandard in performance and durability. There was an article on this in I beleive Hot Rod magazine about a year and a half ago.

Crane cams, on the other hand, are very good and I run one in my car.