5KCSTQ: runnability problems - Please Help!

[Randall Paquette <qpilot@netscape.net>]

Folks,
I'm having a problem with my 86 5KCSTQ (168,000miles).  Its a rough idle,
stumbling problem that has progressivly gotten worse over the past few weeks. 
I'll describe the symptomology, relate what I've done, and express my plans if
noone has any suggestions.
It starts hard.  Only starts easy if its been less than 10 minutes or longer
than 4 days.  In those circumstances, it fires right up.  Otherwise crancks
for 20 seconds or so.  Lately, though, the idle has started dropping,
requiring me to blip the throttle to keep from stalling - if stalled, have to
pull off the road and it can take 10 minutes to pry it back to life.  It
sometimes idles ok, sometimes won't hold the idle.  Sometimes develops full
boost and sometimes stumbles.  It also seems to be running rich, smells rich
and during my recent examinations, has spewed gas out the tail pipe on the
driveway.
What I've done:  ran the diagnostics, no problems detected and all things that
are supposed to run (valves, fuel pump, etc) do.  Used the dreaded propane
vacuum leak test - to no avail.  Idle stabilizer cleaned and tested.  Throttle
idle/full throttle switch tested.  Recent new OXS installed.
What I'm planning on doing: Remove cat converter - if plugged, what can I use
to coerce the inards to break up and fall out?  I'd like to adjust the
mixture.  I don't have a long enough 3mm tool to reach (any suggestions?) nor
do I have a duty cycle meter (have old dwell meter if that helps).
Probably have more than one problem, but I can live with the hard starting for
a while - been that way for a year.  But I can't drive it the way it is.
As I live over 100 miles from a dealership, any help would be greatly
appreciated!!!!!  Please reply direct to me as I'm still using temporart
e-mail accounts.  Thank you all.
Regards,
Randy Paquette
QPILOT@NETSCAPE.NET

____________________________________________________________________
More than just email--Get your FREE Netscape WebMail account today at http://home.netscape.com/netcenter/mail