tractor11

I have a 1977 280 that was given to me after being flooded by a huricane last year. Got it running but it will die soon afer it starts. So i decided to remove the air flow meter . It now stays running but idles a little ruff like it is running rich . When i plug the air flow meter in the idle smoothes out for a second and then the engine dies almost as if you turned the key off. Is there a procedure to test the air flow meter to see if it is bad . Thought i would just find a new one but what if that isnt the real problem . Can i test the one i have to see if it is bad . Can it be repaired or is it just a throw away and buy a new one type thing.Any help or advice would be greatly apreiciated . Because i know absolutly nothing about fuell injection and lees about a 280z .

help i have a 77 280z that was given to me . Got it running it will run decent when you first strart it but after 5 or 10 minutes the engine starts to sputter and backfire then it will die . when you try to re start it the engine barely will turn over almost like the starter is trying to overcome exaust blockage. any help or advice any one can offer would be most helpfull