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carburator runs at idle but when you put it in first or reverse, it stalls out. what do I need to do to keep it running? what can I do to get it running smooth? Does anyone have any site references for parts for a chevy luv.

Sounds like some crud in the jets or a fuel delivery problem Can you rev it up in neutral though? Your description is a little confusing, sounds like it runs great until you put it in gear. If just sticking it in gear (with the clutch in) kills it, then something would have to pretty wrong in the wiring to the carb and/or transmission.

Cleaning the carb out is a matter of careful disassembly, cleaning, and then careful reassembly. My weber carb had this same sort of problem intermittantly when I first started using it. It had sat for a number of years and had dried up gas varnish all over in it. Every once in a while, a chunk of that would get loose, clog up the jets, and I would barely be able to do more than idle.

You should also check to make sure the bowl is getting gas in it, with the truck running the round window in the front of the carb should show the level of gas right in the middle. If not, then it could just be the needle valve on the float. Unbolt the tubes where the fuel line comes in, clean out the screen and the valve and try it again.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

i'd check the bowl level first,, mine would idle great but as soon as i tried the move it, it would die or run terrible. swapped in a good float and adjusted it and problem solved

It stays on in neutral but when I put it in first it stays on, only when I try to go somewhere it cuts off. I just now went out and tried to start it and it backfired. Smoke came out of the exhaust and it smelt like someone fired off a shotgun. What could cause that problem and would that cause it to not go anywhere.

That sounds like it could be the points. Check the gap on them, and if in doubt replace them. My 76 used to behave just about like that when the points went bad. Once you've confirmed they are ok and gapped right, check the timing too. If that does not get it, pull the inlet off the carb like I talked about in my prior post and clean out the screen and such. It really could be either a fuel or spark issue.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

where are the points and what do you mean by them? How do I know if the points and timing are off? How do you adjust them?

Seriously dude, there is no greater value to a vehicle owner than a good technical manual.

You can find one cheap for your year of Chevy Luv (about $15.00 US) at your nearest friendly neighborhood auto parts store, order one online, or get one off of Ebay.

I recommend a Haynes if you can find one, but if not...a Chilton's will do.

In there you will find all the information you need on step-by-step repair instructions (complete with pictures), regularily scheduled necessary maintenance, technical specifications, tools and/or equipment required, etc. - plus a handy trouble-shooting section for diagnosing problems.

Plus they are written on a very user-friendly level with a minimum of technical jargon...and always include a glossary for those terms that most people aren't familiar with.

If you then run into a problem that your manual doesn't cover (as we all do from time to time), by all means...ask away.

But without some basic understanding of what you are dealing with, it would take anyone here months to explain it all to you....and you would probably just get more confused in the process.

...Just my $.02 worth and I mean no harm - I'm just trying to dispense a little sound advice here.

I hope that helped you.

TAZ is completely right. Back in the day, I used to teach electrical systems in the Air Force. Ignition systems have a lot going on and the points are just a small part of it. Google How Stuff Works and search for auto points ignition systems.