squeeling and rattling

[fordfan]

I have a 79 and am having some issues. While in drive or reverse my idle is wacked and sputtering. when I actually accelerate its a noticable sputter which sometimes ends with engine failure. other times the sputter is followed by a loud squeel from the engine compartment and then a rattling noise. After that i usually get multiple back fires or something that sounds like a back fire. could it be my fuel pump/lines/filter? not sure but the sound also seems like it may be coming from one of my valve coverscratchhe:cratchhe: