My truck began sputtering like the catilatic (sp) converter was stopped up. I brought it to a muffler shop and had it removed and replaced with a pipe. Immediately after, it backfired and acted like it was flooded. Towed it home and it started right up. The next day I went to start it and it struggled but eventually started. Then it sputtered gurgled, ran rough, made it a block and died. I replaced the roter and distributor cap. Thought that would work, so I started it and before I made it out the driveway it died again. I started it this morning it ran fine for a little while then died again. I read somewhere on this site it might be the coil. Anyone with this particular engine with the possible solution? By the way the fuel pump and fuel filter have been changed recently.

 

Welcome to the site. I will move this thread to the first generation Dakota section,
FF

 

I have had the same problem as you its probly the ignition coil I would change it its a cheap part 20-30$