My '87 is having a problem when I go to start it in the morning's/first time of the day. It will start fine, no hesitation or excessive cranking. But when it does, it will idle normally and then choke out (die). Then, once I have restarted it, it will stay running but at a higher than normal RPM, around 1500 or so. But then after it has been driven for a second, everything is fine and it will perform beautifully for the remainder of the day. Any suggestions or if anyone knows... please help. I have looked in a ton of formus and exstensively through this one, but have not been able to find anyone with the same issue. thanks guys.

 

I'm goning to assume from your username that the engine is a TPI 350. Any mods we should know about? I'd try fuel injecotor cleaner first, see if that helps.

 

it is a stoke 305, i put the injector cleaner in today and filled up before doing so. I'll see if that helps. I was thinking fuel pump perhaps. but i don't i'm not sure./

 

sorry i meant to say that is stock 305.

 

it could easily be an O2 sensor if it's been a while since you've replaced it. it doesnt sound like a fuel pump to me, cuz it runs fine after you get it going. it sounds like something that's starting to soot over with age. an o2 sensor won't throw a code if it's just old and dirty.

 

ok cool, i'll check that out. thank you.

 

So i was looking under my hood today and noticed that there was a little bit of smoke (it wasn't white) that really just looked like steam from a stove or something, and it was coming from only the left side of the block. The steam/smoke didn't smell or anything. Do you think it could be that I need to tighten something down? or does it sound more serious?

 

It could be anything from fluid dripping out of a tranny cooler line to the exhaust to condensattion off the evap canister. You're gonna have to take a closer look
and find out where it's coming from.