fuel pump maybe?

[texas03042]

a bit over a year ago my 95 ranger w/ 2.3 and automatic started stalling out like it was out of fuel. let it sit for 5 minutes and it would start up-usually- and drive on. sometimes it would take a lot of cranking to get it going.. finally changed the fuel pump and the relay.
4 months ago it started doing it again. sputtered home. found the hose from the vapor canister was knackered so I changed it and the problem was solved...I thought.
yesterday it started again. seems to mostly die out when I change speeds, as in decelerating. if I even ease up a fraction on the gas, it will die. I can keep it going by keeping the rpms up as I am braking- driving with both feet at once. sometimes it will pop in the exhaust pipe as I am cranking it.
between these episodes of tow-truckanoia the vehicle runs fine. no codes or check engine lights come on.
any way to pin point the problem? I am due for a new timing belt but I cant see that the belt would be the issue here.

 

[Earl43P]

I replaced a fuel pump on a 93 years ago, then sold the truck (bought it to fix and flip).

New owner reported back to me that the short section of fuel pump hose (that came with the new fuel pump) had been chemically attacked and failed. He used good high pressure fuel tubing and fixed it right.

Could be your problem as well. A fuel pressure gage will show the drop in pressure, just hook it to the fuel rail schraeder fitting. Most auto parts stores will rent you that gage.