Well gentlemen, After over a year of frustration i have finally solved the wild sputtering issue.
while charging down Interstate 15 on my way home from Utah, just after passing through Vegas, my engine died out. I pulled over to discover the float bowl completely drained, after pulling the fuel line from my regulator and putting it into a can and cranking the engine, I confirmed that my fuel pump gave out.
Remembering what i've read in the past, regarding the 22r fuel pump I quickly noticed I was missing the 1/4" spacer between the pump and the head. after a $45 fuel pump, a $4 spacer and a pair of longer bolts, I was right back on the road. AND!! with no more sputter!!!! It sounds like the pump was absorbing heat from the head and boiling/ vapor locking my fuel system. Problem solved!! and so much more fun driving off-road now!!!
Thanks again for your suggestions guys, hopefully this cheapo fuel pump doesn't give out too soon!
