I just bought an 88 formula and it starts hard when it is cold or if I let it sit for a little bit. I am not sure what the problem is.

 

Might be the fuel pump going out--very common problem!

 

How can I check if it is the fuel pump?

 

Is it a tpi or tbi car?
you could check for fuel pressure too.

 

It is a 350tpi. Someone told me it could also be something called the cold start injector?

 

Does it throw a code? It's possible on the 9th injector tho.

 

Could be injector leak down, bad chip, or dying fuel pump.

 

How can I tell if the fuel pump is going? Could I check the leak down of the injectors with a fuel pressure guage? I have a Haynes manual and it is worthless. It does not show you how to trouble shoot anything.

 

A fuel pressure gauge would help ALOT!! That would be the best place to start. Just put the ign in the run position to prime the pump and see what the pressure is--don't start it--and see if the pressure drops--then go from there.

 

I put a fuel pressure guage on it and it read about 48 psi I fired it up and the pressure did not drop. I shut the engine off and the pressure did not drop. How do I test the ninth injector?

 

It gives a little puff of smoke out the exhaust when it starts and it smells like gas. Almost like it floods or something.