Extreme rich condition

[Hib Halverson]

You likely don't need to fuss with taping a pressure gauge to the windshield?at least not yet.

If you tested fuel pressure per the service manual and saw 45-psi peak after key off then the pressure drops. Your pressure is low. It should be 48-55 psi. If pressure drops after the pump shuts off you may have a leak.

A possible leak coupled with black sooty plugs tells me to investigate the possibility of a faulty FPR, faulty injectors, faulty ball check in the pump or anything else which can bleed off fuel pressure.