Ok..

Let'* got a little further. How is the coolant level? Any white smoke coming out the exhaust when it runs?

Here is a link to what I am thinking is a remote possibility at this point. Although there are many other things that can cause the issue.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

We also need you to get a fuel pressure test. While you do hear the pump running.. GM pumps are known to be loud and a running pump doesn't mean it'* running with the proper amount of pressure.

Started the car this morning. It ran great. Drove it a bit with no problem. Shut it off and tried to start it about 1/2 hour later. It started coughing and sputtering, blowing out black smoke, and when I give it gas it dies.

I'll be getting a fuel pressure gauge. I found one at our local Napa auto parts store but it is $130. AutoZone and Advanced Auto has them for $30 but does not carry the correct one for this car.

Correct one? I bought the Actron one for $30 and it works great. There are a couple different fittings for it.

Black smoke would usually mean rich or full of fuel. Any other symptoms before it acted completely bad on you?

Maybe an egg smell or something else?

I'll have my husband check on the Actron.

The car was running great when all of a sudden it died as I was driving it to town. In fact I thought it had run out of gas when it died. But it had 1/2 tank. No smells-nothing. It just died.

While the fuel pressure is being checked, check it with the vacuum line pulled off from the fuel pressure regulator and see if the pressure rises. After shutting the car off, check for any fuel or fuel smell in that vacuum line.

Besides that, with the symptoms that you have, I'd be leaning toward what was suggested above...a bad MAF. The diagnostic steps say to do as you have and disconnect it and check how it runs. My experience has been that it was not a useful check. However, as it is not an inexpensive part, make sure other things are ruled lout first.

Also check your EGR...that can cause the vehicle to run the way it is if it'* bad

Yea, I'm not sure what that test is supposed to show... when I had a bad MAF, it ran worse with it off... I tried to eliminate all other possibilities before changing the MAF. Sometimes it left an engine code, sometimes it didn't... very elusive bugger it is...

Where did you get this? Autozone said the one they have for $30 only is good for cars 1996 or before.

From experience I would pull the EGR and clean real well.........otherwise the fuel regulator is another great choice