Alright, so we replaced the water pump and did a tune up.
the truck didn't run right to begin with.
It was missing all over the place and wouldn't idle.
After the tune up, the missing stopped. One problem solved
the issue now is it is smoking and won't idle. it just dies off.
We drove it around the block some and got parked back in the drive way, it idled for like 45 seconds and then died. Thats as good as it got. When you give it gas, it smokes.
you can hold the pedal down just a touch and hold the RPMs steady at where idle should be and its smooth. doesn't sound like it is missing at all. actually sounds healthy considering the age and miles. But once you give it more gas, it smokes.
the little bit of history we have on the truck is that the problem got worse and worse until finally it wouldn't start without help from the throttle and wouldn't stay running without help.

anybody have any ideas?

thanks

-Phil