my friend has a 85 ram with a 318. i tried to help him tonight. he has said he has had fuel problems, but it ha a new fuel filter and pump. it idles but when you go to gas it it dies, or sometimes sputters. is it a distributer pickup problem? any help thanks

 

It could be any number of things.

Check voltage while running
Check timing
Inspect cap/rotor and plug/wires - make sure the plug wires aren't grounding out.
Check for vacuum leaks
Inspect carb - make sure throttle opens and verify that the squirters are squirting when you push the gas. Make sure the choke is opening.