This is my first time posting and I'm not a mechanic so I apologize if I sound dumb!!

I own an 82 pickup that my Dad rebuilt the motor and got it up and running for me!! He was an actual mechanic!! He died a month and a half ago so I don't have anyone to help me with this.

anyway..... it first started not firing off when you'd park. If I waited 4-5 minutes it would fire off and run fine!!!

it slowly got worse and now it won't fire off at all!!!
I was out today tearing out the old carpet and turned it over and it fired!! It ran for maybe 4 seconds and died even though i gave it some throttle...

I've used starter fluid and it won't fire off!!!

any ideas?!?! I know what I'm saying is vague but is this a carb problem?!

 

I hope the fuel pump pictured is installed? Take one of the spark plug boots off of a spark plug, remove spark plug, put boot back on, lay spark plug down with the metal part touching metal or ground from the vehicle. Spin engine over and look for a spark at the gap on the plug. That will tell you if you have ignition spark.

 

these are pretty simple engines .. air , spark and fuel , if these systems are working , it'll run