Dies while idling and gas surges going slow

I don't know about the smell of gas, but we had the same problem. the first time it happened, (I don't mean it happened once - it happened repeatedly) a bottle of fuel injector cleaner solved it,

The next time it happened ( a couple years later) I was stranded at the first red light when I got into the city. The car would stall each time i put it in drive. It would idle fine i neutral & park, but stall in and other gear. A guy stopped to help me - he was from a reputable transmission chain. he said the problem was with ? ?? in the transmission ( I can't remember exactly 0 it was about years ago) he fiddled with a switch that locked up in behind the drivers side front tire. he couldn't get it unlocked, so the car was towed to his transmission shop. They repaired the problem and I have not had this issue since!

i had this same problem with my 85 and about 3 months later my fuel pump went out changed it, works fine now