Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Buick Century Hard To Start., fuel pressure regulator, buick century

Question
Hi Van,
I have a 1987 Buick Century 4 cyl. carbureted model.Milage:187,600.
This car is very hard to start lately.Sometimes I run the battery down trying to start it.
At times I can get it started.But at first it does not run good...it sputters and dies unless I I keep giving it gas a little while.Then after I take off in it it will at times "cut out"but still manages to run.An hour after I shut it off it does the same thing.
I think I should mention before this problem arose the catalytic converter was plugged and I had it "gutted'.The car ran rich;black soot would come from the exhaust and the spark plugs fouled out.But after I gutted the converter and put in new spark plugs it ran good for a few days until this new problem arose.
I put in a new fuel filter;that seemed to help somewhat.
The carburetor seems rather dry.I can pour a little gas in the carberator and it will start right away but not run good for long.
Is it maybe a bad fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator?Thank you for your assistance.

Answer
Hi James,
A carburetor won't have a fuel pressure regulator.
It does have an automatic choke, which MUST be in proper adjustment.
Also, there is an accelerator pump that can cause the stumble, but shouldn't cause the rich mix. A heavy float would though, so a carb overhaul may be needed.

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