1980 SC dies after startup or won't start

[redtdi96]

Ok bought car in 2001, only drive june to end of September.

This season, I had engine out ,rebuilt tranny, new clutch, replaced typical oil leaker seals-o-rings. Anyway here's the issue, I have just put on road two weeks ago, maybe drove 20 miles.

1- sometimes car will not start. I put a inductive timing light on distributer and it fires fine. I also measured the fuel pressure at greater than 60 PSI (it was a quick test as my test fuel lines could not handle the pressure).

2- sometimes it starts and runs for 1 minute then backfires and shuts down. Then will not start.

3- sometimes it runs fine, I took it to NJ state inspecton today (passed), drove 43 miles no issues. But this AM it started then it died, I pulled off air cleaner and pushed the operating lever on the throttle body that moves the sensor plate and BOOM it started. I felt confident that this was the problem so I drove to/from inspection.

As I indicated this is the first season that I have had any problems, could the throttle body just be a in need of running for a while? Also my idle sits at 1300 RPMs, then slowly drops down to 1000 in a 15-20 second period. I'm guessing that I need to open engne compartment, and activate the throttle and verify that the cable is not binding.

SO any ideas on the throttle body? I did not touch this during the engine removal.

BTW I'm happy I can shift my tranny after being apart!