The fuel pick up screen was clear but there is only one at the bottom not at the top on mine. IF you hold it up to the light you can see cleaR all the way to the 90 degree. It does haVe a Q-jet which i just replace the filter with a new one in the beginning of the season. I have a mechcanical fuel pressure gauage that is installed and run up to the dash which is what all readingS were taken on. I do know for a fact that the pump is NOT lower then the fuel pick up, I don't know if I can get it lower but I'm sure as hell going to try ., and it think this is where the problem lies . stevel good idea on the aux 5 gallon tank I might try this first. thanks guys for all the advice sooner or later I'M do to figure it out and I'll keep you posted

I agree with the guy who suggested you run from a portable fuel source to see if the problem is in the tank/pickup. I had a similar problem a few years ago. The tank had an ani-reverse valve where the fitting went on top of the pickup which was malfunctioning. I replaced it with a plain angle and the problem went away.