C Anderson

88 Taurus 3.8L off the road for 6 years. Prepped and got it running. Promptly drove it to gas station for a fill with complete fill with fresh gas. Drove about 2 miles. Got it home and it died in the drive. Turns out to be a fuel problem. Replaced the filter, but the old one showed no blockage.

Can start it after about 10 tries on the key, idles or revs OK for about 15 seconds and then starts to stumble and finally dies. While running, pressure at the schraeder valve is only about 15~19 lbs (should be closer to 40). When running, too smooth to be a handful of injectors, and one stuck shouldn't drop the pressure down that low anyway. Regulator is a PITA to remove as it's mounted upside down -- requires getting to fuel rail which itself is the PITA (have to pull air intake system & etc first). Don't see how to (briefly) deadhead the return easily.

How to isolate whether it's the regulator or fuel pump??? Too many metal lines with special fittings...