I recently purchased a 1988 sami, it is completely stock. The person I bought it from said it ran when parked and they let it sit for 2-3 years and had it running 3-4 months ago but it died and never started again. I put a battery on it and it turned over good, I found a fuel line missing; replaced it and it fired right up and ran very rough, which was expected. I then added some fresh gas and it fires right up but dies just as quick. If i look into the carb it looks dry. Some helpful hints will be appreciated

 Suzuki Samurais had a factory recall for something that might be your very problem. The catalytic convertor.
 There is a relatively simple test you can do to test this out. Unbolt your Exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold and try starting it with the pipe not hooked to it. If it starts you know what the issue is.
 Your local Suzuki dealership can look up your vehicle recall information and see if you are a candidate for a free down pipe with cat. Many vehicles were covered. 86, 87, and part of 88 were all covered years.
 They will replace it free of charge, even if you aren't the original owner. I havce taken care of many through the local dealership here. Made many people happy that way.

Thanks, I will check that out

Another thing to check is your fuel.  Mine acted similar when the fuel pump went out, and a plugged fuel filter will do the same thing.  Especially if it has been sitting for a few years.

Pull the fuel line off of the carb and have someone crank over the engine.  This way you can tell if your getting any fuel up to the carb.

Yea I am getting fuel up to the carb and when I first turn it over it fires right up and will repond to the accelerator for a second or two and then it dies. I then wait 15-30 secs. and it does the same again. But if I try it immediately after it dies it won't fire back up. So how would a bad cat. converter cause it to die.

Sounds like your carb is plugged up.

 THANKS.  I should get home at a decent hour this evening and will have a chance to check that out

Ok, the carb just needed cleaning. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good high mileage oil or oil for older engine. the radiator also has a bad leak and will need replacing any ideas of where I can get a good radiator

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good high mileage oil or oil for older engine.

You're about to go on a very, very peculiar journey...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

I wouldn't put any synthetics in.  They have a way of cleaning your engine when they go through, to the point that it gets rid of all of the old oil that was keeping your engine from leaking like a seave. 

i don't use synthetic due to price.
lately i've been using 20W50 in my very worn 1.3L.
no leaks and no noticeable smoke, but i need to add some every couple of fillups.
richard