Ok guys I have an update for you! I feel like such an idiot but....I replaced his fuel filter with a brand new one about an hour ago and it seems we are 99% there! Currently the car idles smoothly and there is no stalling, lurching, or "dead spots" (lack of power) both with regular driving and also when "punching it". That's in town. The big test was when we took it out on the freeway. No problems accelerating up to full speed from 0 to-65 mph and also when punching it for passing. Unbelievable! Of course I'll feel better about it after he's driven to work for about a week to see how it does. He has about a 10-15 min. commute via the freeway every day so it'll be a good test. The only reason I say we are 99% of the way there is because it still takes at least 2 cranks (turning the key off and then on again) to start the car. Once running though it idles nice.

Per some suggestions by others we are going to: Put in a new set of spark plugs this weekend and also pull the vacuum tree off and make sure it's good and clean inside. I think I'll try taking the fuel pressure regulator off so I can get to the vacuum line that has been mentioned and see if any fuel is leaking from there. I guess neither of the 2 black rubber hose/lines that I can see just looking at it (while still attached under the fuel rail) is NOT the vacuum line, correct? it must be coming off the bottom/backside (facing directly towards the manifold) which is why I'll have to take it off. Lastly, I may even get bold and see if I can remove the entire throttle assembly if it's not to hard and make sure it's good and clean inside to be sure nothing is gummed up and preventing it from opening/closing properly. Good idea or no?

Thanks again for all the help thus far. If you have any more suggestions/input I'm all ears. I'll report back with any new updates/changes and let you know how it all turns out.

Regards
Bryan