Hey guy and gals!

I'm new to this site so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place.
I mess with old muscle cars and have built many cars and trucks over the years, so I know my way around cars / trucks very well. I even have a 12,000 drive on lift at my house.

Anyway, I'm having an issue with my 1997 S10 Blazer 4.3L 4 door 4x4 not starting without the assistance of carb cleaner. I always maintain the truck and in the last year, have driven it coast to coast 2 times. 177,000 miles with no issues to complain about.
After researching this problem online and on this site, I have yet to see a solution to the problem, which seems to occur quite often.
Starting with the obvious, it has excellent spark, good fuel pressure readings when key on, when cranking, and when running ( all right within specs). I swapped out the fuel pressure regulator and fuel filter.
After I get it running with a quick shot of 2+2, it runs excellent under all conditions and under a load with no check engine lights on or anything. It does seem to be running rich as it's smoking a little out the exhaust, but theres no fuel mixed with the oil. Battery / charging system are in specs, as is oil pressure since I know the fuel system is tied in. Fuel pump primes as it should.
I'm kind of at a loss and dont want to start guessing and throwing parts at it. Seems to be a common issue with the second gen trucks but I'll be damned if i can find out why the injectors are not shotting in fuel for the initial start up.
Can the experts on this site point me in the right direction? Has anyone reading this had a similar problem and can tell me what the solution is? Replacing the fuel pump out with an AC Delco pump seems like the obvious answer, but theres no evidence that it's not working just as it should.
I'm really stummped and could use some help!
Thanks in advance and I look forward to being a long time member here!
Joe

 

I think I got it figured out!

 

Glad you got it fixed. What was it?