I just bought a 1988 Toyota corolla, manual 5 sp., carburetor (not
fuel injected),  Periodically, with no rhyme or reason, at what seems
to be about a half tank of gas, whether this is relevant I am not
sure, it loses power quickly and stalls. At first we thought maybe the
gas gauge was broken.  Left it sitting for a few hours, put in more
gas, cleaned fuel lines with carb cleaner and replaced fuel filter.
Started and ran great for a few weeks before doing the same thing
again. Has happened three times since...the last time it was
definitely not out of gas,and I was able to keep restarting and go a
bit further over and over until finally home. I also sometimes smell
an odor of gas around the car. It seems that all of my friends  think
they are a mechanics : ), but no one seems to be exactly sure of the
problem...all have conflicting answers. The big question is...what
could it be that causes it to happen intermittently, then run great
for a few weeks? A vacuum leak, bad fuel pump, crud in the tank from
sitting a long time (could it get past filter), carb issue? Any ideas
would be oh so greatly appreciated! Thanks a million! Obviously I am
surely not a mechanic so excuse any odd questions...I do however have
a feeling that after this I will be much more educated in the rigors
of car repair!

Aimee