trying to beat the rain today and didn't have enough time to get to the amaco station so I opted for a mobile. Filled it with 93 and got 5 minutes up the road and the poppin started, this station is in the sticks so I don't think they get much call for 93 octane. probably loaded with water, or they were pulling from a dry tank and I got all the crap from the bottom of the well. Tomorrow I'll try about a gallon of dry gas a little octane booster a match, just kiddin about the match. Pull the filters off and check them. Like I have time to play this game. I feel like just pulling the fuel line off the first filter and letting the electric fuel pump run until the tank is empty, and use the gas for the lawn mower.

Johm, if you do pull the line and let it pump, the first stuff to come out should be water, if that's what it is. Pump some out into a clear container, and let it sit for a couple of hours, and see if it separates.
That just sux a big one
I had a problem like that on my '85 once. Ran like crap, etc...
I took the fuel cap off, and the tank was FULL!!! WATER!!?? I wound up just pulling the line and pumping out 18 gallons.
The problem on that one was the fuel cap location. It sits on top of the tank, just like the Sharks, but all of the water that runs off of the rear glass drains into the fuel area. If the little drain hole there stops up, the water just builds into a big pond, and finds it's way down past the rubber seal on the cap, and into the tank!
I wound up having to replace the fuel pump, too, as well as the filter. I learned to keep that dadgum drain hole clean, and I keep the cover on the car so no tree crap can get in there to start with.

is it wise to pump 18 ? gallons of fuel free at one time with the electric pump ? have seen models with non-cooled electric motors as they only have to pump a litle bit against back-pressure.

I would "hose" the most of it and perhaps use the pump for the last gallon

 Went through this with my 73 a couple of years ago. I opened up the carb and there it was water. I was able to look in the tank and sure enough I saw a pool of water. I was able to pull the water out with a hose. Threw some dry gas in and was ok. The problem was a plugged up drain hose. Have not had this problem again. Keep the drain clean.