1992 Oldsmobile Achieva Wont' start

My 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva had its engine replaced at 110000 miles and a transmission replaced shortly after and when I bought it I took it and had the oil changed and inspected and it ran great until we were leaving the bank where it died, but started right back up, after we got home I had to go run an errand and I got to the end of the driveway which has a slight upward slope and the car died and would not start. I got up the next morning went down to the end of the driveway it started right up and I drove it around a bit before bringing it in and parking. I replaced the fuel filter in it and then I went to work in it and when it was time to go it wouldn't start again, so I bought starter fluid and used it to start it up again. I used the starter fluid a couple more times and now the starter fluid will fire the engine but it won't run it fires and dies, like its not getting gas which it has a half tank. The last couple of times I tried it once there was a loud pop and smoke came out the breather. Afterwords my father helped me try to get it started and it continued not to start.