I'll check the resistor tonight, and I am getting 12 volts using a voltmeter.

 

Well, I was just informed that we haven't checked the ignition coil. So we did and found that when the key is in the on position, it reads between 0 and 1 volts. Only in run did it jump to 11-12 and then when the key is released, right back down to 0-1. Couldn't find the resistor.

 

Hotwire the coil and see if it runs. Just a wire directly to the coil from the battery. The black wire with a white stripe should be 12 volts coming out of the ignition switch in run position.

 

Well, it worked. I just touched the wire from the battery to the positive on the coil. It sparked the engine tried to start, so I broke contact. On a hunch I started it and it ran. Drove alright too. It's started perfectly so far, about 4 starts. Is it fixed or should I get a new coil or what?

 

It is running pretty sluggish though, even compared to how it used to. I plan on getting some fuel system cleaner, what else can I do. I heard that in old trucks it pays to run premium with octane booster, but I don't know. Any help on more power would be great.

 

You can't leave the wire hooked up to the coil with it parked. It's ok while it's running but you would have to get out and unhook it when you shut it off or hook up a toggle switch. It's a simple circuit and probably just the ignition switch contacts are bad.
Run Seafoam or Techron in the gas tank for a couple tanks.It should clean it up.

 

If It is the original coil i would replace it. I usually replace them every 100k miles and that one is 20 years old,they are pretty cheap.

 

Should the fuel pump run all the time? I can hear it when parked with the engine running. Not when it's off though. And, I didn't really hotwire the coil. I just touched it to the positive on the coil, it sparked and the engine tried to start. I took the wire all the way off, turned the key, and it started like nothin. Weird.

 

It should run with the engine running yes. I would find that resistor. It should be mounted on the coil or beside it. There is really nothing else in that circuit but the ignition switch and that resistor.