GM-GMC: small block 350 idling problems, coolant temperature sensor, engine coolant temperature sensor

Question
I have an 1988 chevy truck throttle body 350. It won't stay running unless you keep tapping the gas every two seconds or so. If you keep it running for a while it smells rich. Also if you give it a lot of gas it just dies. The things I have done to it to try to fix this problem are plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, distributor, oxygen sensor, and timing chain. thanks

Answer
Have you looked at the engine coolant temperature sensor?  If you are getting a very rich run, smell like fuel, black smoke etc it is possible that your ECT is sending the wrong reading to your PCM.  You could try installing a scanner and displaying the coolant temperature after it has sat overnight, coolant should be close to the air temp.
Hope this helps