500 Sel Hesitation

[MERCEDESTECH]

I have this '84 500 SEL. After a complete paint job, the body shop managed to get water inside my gas tank. Well, after a new fuel pump, filter, accumilator, 8 spark plugs and a good used fuel distributor, I am still having problems. If I leave the c/o level slightly high, cars starts up like a champ. I mean it starts right up and is smooth all until you try to accelerate. Then it starts to back fire and pop for about a minute or two. I live in South Florida so temp. here is never really that cold. The car feels as it it is starving for gas. I've got good fuel pressure, all the filters are clear. Timing is set, no vacuum leaks, just cant figure out why it takes long to warm up. What am i missing?

Now if I lean the car a little bit it takes for ever to start, but seems to warm up a bit quicker. I am a little confused on what elso to look at. Does anybody have any ideas that I can't think of.?

Thanx in advance .