I've got a 64 Econoline Van...170 3-speed. 99% of the time when I go to start it I get a "pop" from the battery. I then have to unplug the battery, plug it back in and try a again. After a few attempts it usually starts. It's obviously an electrical problem...possibly a ground? Where should I start? Also, when I decelerate I getting some backfiring...am I running too rich? I runs and drives fine until I decelerate...sometimes it even stalls. Any help would be appreciated! Gotta love the Hamb!
A small spark on the battery terminal and a "pop" sound...then everything goes dead until I disconnect/reconnect the battery cable.
Hard to say about the battery, not to sure what you mean by a pop, and unplugging the battery, what do you mean by unplug. The backfire on deceleration is a lean condition, could need carb adjustment or it could be a exhaust manifold leak.
Just check & repair the basics. Good cables, clean connections, vac leaks, adjust the carb and retest.
Check your voltage regulator relays about the "pop" if I remember if the battery strap to engine block is crummy, the relay's like to weld in the regulator. Pulling the cable resets the relay. Mabye you can test with regulator cover off?
I meant "disconnect" the battery...not "unplug"...sorry about that. Also, they are new battery cables. I've also put in a new starter relay. Isn't backfiring usually caused by too much fuel in the exhaust that ignites?
I'll check the voltage regulator. I'll also check for vacuum leaks and see about adjusting the carb. Also, I have a cherry bomb muffler that is pretty new. Is it possible that the muffler is just getting broke in and getting louder? I know that glass packs can sometimes sound like they are backfiring. Thanks for the suggestions!
The pop is because you didn't install those new cables properly. They must be clean and tight. Exhaust leaks are the most common cause of popping in the exhaust.
As far as the "pop" from the battery goes my first thought it was bad conections. Let us know what you find
well the pop is from dirty cable ends not making a good connection. the backfire could be from the cherrybomb they usually don't have enough backpressure. but my van has been backfiring on decel and i found that my carb base gaskets where leaking. so to find out where your leak is spray some carb cleaner around on the carb and pcv hose and vac advance if it dies when u spray u have a leak
Well the "popping" noise was from the battery cables. I cleaned and tightened them...it hasn't done it since. Yes, I feel like a dumbass. I did find an exhaust leak where the exhaust connects to the manifold. I'm going to make a high-temp gasket and see if it helps. Thanks for all of the advice!
dont make one just buy one there cheap it will save the trouble unless u can find a origanal ceramic exahust doghnut
Does anyone know where I can find an exhaust doughnut? There was an old homemade one that I took out...it didn't work. I put on a new exhaust flange gasket,but I think I need a doughnut. It still has a small leak that the gasket won't seal.
on 170 falcon engines the gasket for the exaust manifold flange was a flat one with metel around the inside, napa auto parts may have what you need
I ordered the gasket from Mac's. I'll install it next week and let everyone know if that fixes the exhaust leak. Thanks again for all of the suggestions.
Pretty much every thing has been covered. But I'll bet your snap crackle and pop when you decelerate is from and exhaust leak in front of the muffler. We used to drill a 1/8 inch hole in the pipe just in front of the muffler to get them to do that. Oh and you don't have adjustable jets so any adjustement you do to yhe carb will only affect your idle mixture. That shouldn't cause it to backfire when you are cruising and let off of it. If you are running the stock carb and no one has rejetted it you shouldn't be running fat.
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