[M_R_Q]

Thanks for all of the input.

I do have a timing light, I just havent been able to successfully "read the blinks". I havent tried it more than a time or two though and not on this truck

The fuel pump does work, but there is always a chance its a bit weak. Ive never had a failing fuel pump with these symptoms, though. It also runs rough with a fully primed carb the second it fires, so it doesnt act like a starvation issue.

I have sprayed carb cleaner all over the place to see if I could detect a vacuum leak but I didnt notice anything, but that could be lack of experience.

I think my grandfather had the engine rebuilt some time in the 80s or early 90s, so perhaps at that point they put on a plastic gear. It really hasnt had much for mileage on it since then though. Id say 20,000 tops, which seems a short time for a gear to strip out, I would think.

I have read from a few people that have managed to do the gear swap without pulling the engine by heating the gear, cooling the shaft and tapping it on with a dead blow. Not ideal Im sure, but Ive read it from enough sources that Its likely doable.

I switched the coil and plug wires with my 250s, and the old ones check out. No change.

I can blow through the fuel filter with ease, but I havent replaced it.

It reads as being at tdc. The rotor points at #1 and the timing marks line up. I havent pulled a plug and actually checked to see if the piston is where it should be, though.

Plugs would be the cheapest and easiest change. I feel annoyed at myself for not changing them out already. I just needed to have someone tell me that its a possible cause before spending any more money (even if its a small amount) on getting a truck that cant be driven running. Especially when my non dice playing gut has been saying they arent the problem.

Thanks again.