86 b2000 turns over but wont start

Hi, first post here

Recently (2 months ago) got an 86 b2000 with some clutch problems but it was running great when I got it. Its been sputtering and dieing lately and now wont even start. I changed the fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs and fuel pump, no change in behavior after all that. If you spray carb cleaner or pour gas directly into the carburetor you can get it to start and run for a bit as long as you are pouring stuff in. Once that runs out it dies immediately. I did a search before posting but no problems exactly like mine so I've done everything I know how and I am stuck, any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: before someone asks... yes, it has gas in it

Either the needle valve in the carb is stuck closed, or dirty float bowl...
Do you get a shot of gas from the accelerator pump when you open the throttle?

I believe I am getting gas when I pull the throttle, I can't see it but I can hear it squirting in. Doing so kills the engine though. If I get it to start with carb cleaner/gas in the carb, then either pushing the pedal or physically pulling the throttle instantly kills the engine. If it makes a difference, it's easier to keep running while its still cold.

Water in the gas? Did you maybe run the vehicle low on fuel just prior to this problem starting to show up? What did the old fuel filter look like; did you cut it open to check for contamination?

You might need to replace this fuel filter with a new unit if it's got water in it.

And if the carb has water in it, you are going to have to clean that out as well. The fuel filter is supposed to catch that but that doesn't always work 100%

Hope this helps.

I did check the old filter, it looks pretty normal. I used the gas in there to run through the carb to keep it running even. I think there is very little chance for water to contaminate things. I live in a really hot and dry area and we are in a drought at the moment. The only water that could get in there would be from the cooling system and that seems pretty unlikely.

Water in the gas tank can get in from condensation. Not that that is your issue. It happens though.

The only other thing I recall is these trucks use an idle stop solenoid that is run off a fuse on the fuse panel. If that fuse is blown then the solenoid stays open and leans everything out to where the truck won't run. I think it is labeled "engine." It is worth looking at.

The front of the carb has an inspection window which should show gas half way up the glass. Maybe dirt has caused the float to stick in the shut off position. Try tapping the carb to verify fuel in the bowl and is getting pumped in

Unless someone has sugared your gas or the pump isn't working the stock carb is pretty bulletproof

Well I managed to get the carb off and inspected it, sorta. The window on the front shows the fuel near the bottom, not half way up. I got to the float and it seems to be functioning properly, but I'm not sure what would cause it to be low like that. A few have suggested the needle valves are stuck or damaged. I don't know where that is or how to check though.

EDIT: here are some pics of what I am seeing, the one of the window is hard to see, but the level is very low. It is lower now that I have removed the bowl and poked around but before that it was at about 1/5th of the way up.

I dunno how it turned out for everyone else but when I attached those pictures they were all the same size and now looking at them one is huge and the other 2 are small... anyway the huge one I think is the most helpful.

I know you said you replaced the fuel pump but have you taken off the line and verified that it is pumping a good amount of fuel into a container? Maybe the gas line is clogged from the gas tank.

Yeah I verified that the fuel pump is pumping fuel, sprayed gas everywhere... ug. There could be a clog in the actual fixture on the carburetor I suppose.