There are a lot of things that could cause these symptoms. Foremost I think would be that you have a vacuum leak somewhere. SO check all the hoses, first and make sure that there aren't any laying about unplugged. Secondly, you might think about replacing them anyway due to the age of the van. Rubber hoses only stay rubbery for so long and this could be the cause of the leak. If you can rule out a vacuum leak then I would suggest retrieving the codes, if there are any, stored in the computer. http://www.allpar.com/fix/80s-codes.html If that doesn't point you in a specific direction, then you may want to take it to the shop and have them run their diagnostic on it, which is more detailed than the onboard diagnostic.
could be a vacuum leak
If it is missing it is probaly a coil pack
Have you changed the fuel filter?
recheck wires to plugs sounds like two are crossed
Follow the plug wires from the distributor.
If the plugs, plug wires, are good then suspect a vacuum leak somewhere.
Pull the gauge cluster out and use a low volt solder iron, and re-solder the points where it plugs in to the cluster, just heat it until the solder starts to melt.
Hey ya i have a 1994 grand am and i was having this same problem. What i did what replace the spark plugs. After i did this i took the car and and when i floor it no longer stutters when accelerating.
There are seals under the valve cover that need replaced to repair oil on the spark plugs.
check fuel pump
if it idles rough too, check your plugs, if not, check your fuel filter.
If you haven't done a tune-up lately (plugs and wires), do it. Do not "gap" the plugs, it will ruin the platinum coating. Install them right from the box.