Hey guys/gals. I have what I posted in the subject line and need some help. My dad and I bought the car together back in 2001 as a project car. We have not done anything to her since only because the money wasnt there then I lost my job and things just didnt fall in place. Now things are starting to get back to normal. Anyway Ive been doing some work to this car the last 4 weeks and I managed to get the car back on the road. Im a happy camper just for that. But befor that happened I had to replace the water pump, carburator, and battery.

Now that the car is running again, yes the fuel in the tank is 5 years old but theres less then an eigth tank left and im gonna be putting fresh fuel in the tank tomorrow. She sputters when i rev up the engine. Okay i adjusted the timing by ear, no its not the right way to do this but it helped alot. Tomorrow Im gonna be doing the timing on her the proper way with a gun but I have no clue to what the firing order is on the 318. I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota and the #1 cylinder is on the driver side front....I dont know if dodge used that as their firing order for all models or not.  So this leads to my 1st question:

Whats the #1 cylinder on a 71 318 2bbl with Auto Choke?

Now right now the engine revs up and takes off from the line pretty strong until she warms up. Then the engine will sputter and sometimes stall off the line.

Could this be the Carb Auto Choke Spring?? How can I tell if this is the problem?? How much is this part?

And my last question:

How can I trace a problem with my temp gauge as its not operating very good. Most of the time theres no reading when the car is running. If i just turn on the car to the on position the needle will move to the 2nd line where the normal temp starts. The last time the needle worked is when the car over heated and pegged the needle to the far right of the gauge. Thats when i figured out the water pump impellers werent working.

Im sorry to have such a long 1st post but I hope to have entertained you guys. Thank you for any future helpful anwsers.  

fill the tank with new gas that old gas is definitly a problem. Replace yor fuel filter.Small block firing order is 18436572 and #1 is the drivers side front cylinder.Put new plugs wires and rotor button on.Adjust the timing using a vacuum gage and play with it. your harmonic balance has probably spun over the years and the marks are probably a few degrees off an dim sure yor timing chain has stretched a little.Spray the moving parts of the choke with gumout and make sure it is not sticking and after the engine heats up to operating temp take the breather off and see if the choke is wide open if it isnt it is eiter sticking your diaphragm isnt working or it neeeds adjusting.Replace the temp gage with an after market gage.