The 88 300TE parts car had a no start condition. It didn't have to run for the parts I needed, but I wanted it to. It would crank, fire, then die. Lots of fuel at the distributor then none. Pumps would run when key on. Finally just took the strainer out of the tank, cleaned it, added fuel and almost instant start. Unfortunately that's when I learned it had a broken rod
Anyway, don't overlook the obvious. For $4-500 you can't go wrong if you do your own work. Mess with it, get it running and enjoy it, or say screw it and part it out.