2001 Chevy Express Won't Start

I have a 2001 Chevy Express that won't start. It has about 98,000 miles on a 5.7 motor.

It started acting up on the way home one night. At full throttle, it made the van miss and stumble. Valve rattle was horrible.

A few days later, it would crank but not start. I could smell gas so I knew it was flooded.

The local Autozone lent me a code reader. It showed "passed". It was suggested to remove the fuel pump relay to try and burn of the excess fuel. I did this about five times and it actually started. I drove the van around and it acted like it did the night the trouble started. Again the code reader was applied and it "passed".

I tried to restart again but it just flooded and the "relay trick" didn't work this time. It will pop and blow smoke back through the intake. It really seems like it will start sometimes.

I have spark and I have fuel. It was suggested to change the fuel pump but I don't see a need if it floods the engine with fuel.

Any ideas?