1987 dakota 3.9 surging and bucking when you give it gas

The filter should have three hoses. There should be an arrow painted on the filter showing the direction of fuel flow.
And you should be able to blow in one end and the air come out the other if direction is correct.
The line to the pump should be on the end without the extra hose.

Yes, the floats may be causing the fuel level in the carb. to be too high. The black plugs indicate running too rich. Clean the plugs and check the fuel level.

Uncouple the fuel line coming from the pump at the carburetor, place a clean can under the line, and have someone operate the starter--you should have fuel shoot from the line in spurts as the engine turns. If it does, then the entry port on the carburetor is plugged. Remove the float assembly and pull out the float needle valve. Hook the fuel line back to the carburetor and try the starter again, there should be fuel pumping into the float bowl. If not, check to see if there is a filter on the fuel inlet path that may be plugged. If no filter, remove the float needle seat to see if something is blocking the fuel passage. If all else fails, use compressed air to blow backwards through the needle seat (remove the fuel line again). Hope some of this helps!

check the float on the carb is stuck shut not letting fuel in

try a new accelerator pump in the carb,a reiuld may be the best bet.Check for vacum leaks first.

Best do a fuel pressure test. Should have chg. fuel filter from the get go. The only other filter is on the end of the fuel pump in tank. Bad gas and dirty gas will plug up fuel filter, hense burn pump up.

possible thats its where the line hooks to the carburator or the carb itself is leaking

new gas cap air up tires new air filter

how many miles on this car? providing the choke is all the way open at operating temps and the engine is still not smooth and the tune-up parts are new, i would search for a vacuum leak somewhere on the intake manifold and carb. using carb cleaner with engine running spray around intake and lower carb if idle changes, you have found a leak. make sure the choke is working properly!! dirty fuel tank is possible but not likely, with a tune-up i would assume the fuel filter was changed. was it dirty? was the timing checked? does car run well at speed driving down the road?