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motor help - backfiring through the carb

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Psychobilly Boi, Oct 12, 2005.

  1. Hey crew,

    I'm helping on Nooches 54 pontiac, straight six flathead powered. Here is the score:

    1. we are getting spark at the spark plug.
    2. timining is set to 0' (not advanced nor retarded).

    The symptom is that you turn the motor over and it constantly backfires up through the carb (2 barell Carter). We have adjusted the timing all the way from 10` retarded to 10' advanced with no real difference.

    So what gives? What generally causes a motor to fire up through the carb and not run at all?

    I initially though maybe we we put the dizzy in, we got it 180` out?

    Danny
     
  2. Tony
    Joined: Dec 3, 2002
    Posts: 7,351

    Tony
    Member

    Dizzy being 180 would do that...
    and as simple as it sounds even messing up the firing order would do it..
    I know, i know..thats something thats so simple we can ussually do it with out eye's closed.....
    but i've goofed em up myself :D.
    it happens
     
  3. JasonK
    Joined: Apr 16, 2004
    Posts: 753

    JasonK
    Member

    Ya, 180 out, either pull the dist. and rotate 180 or just move the spark plugs....
     
  4. Yo Baby
    Joined: Jul 11, 2004
    Posts: 2,811

    Yo Baby
    Member

    Start with the basics.Pull #1 plug and bump it around to compression and 0 TDC,check rotational direction during thi step.Check rotor position and firing order.
    If it still bangs could be any # of things.Is it a new motor, old motor?Are the points closed up,is the valve lash correct,are the valves all free,are the guides good and tight,is the cam timed correctly?Yada,Yada,Yada.
    Good luck and G,day.T.OUT
     
  5. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,374

    atch
    Member

    keep in mind that if an engine backfires through the carb it's because a cylinder fired while the intake valve was open.

    how can that happen? timing problem. stuck valve. etc.

    using this basic knowledge makes scopin' the problem out a bit easier. it really is all logical, even though sometimes it doesn't seem to be.
     
  6. Tony
    Joined: Dec 3, 2002
    Posts: 7,351

    Tony
    Member

    Was the car running before or was it not a runner are you trying to get it running now?
    I was****uming it was running before..
     
  7. nooch
    Joined: Aug 8, 2004
    Posts: 132

    nooch
    Member

    Thanks to Danny for posting this for me - we had it running (barely) months ago but the engine kept cutting out, seemed like it was flooding - so we put on a reco'd carby, new starter, leads, plugs, coil and rotor,etc in an effort to clean up everything along the path to get her going well.

    thanks guys - keep em coming

    nooch
     
  8. Tony
    Joined: Dec 3, 2002
    Posts: 7,351

    Tony
    Member

    So it was running bad, but not backfiring through the carb?
    If it wasn't backfiring through the carb then, i would go over everything you fella's did step by step.
    Especially the distributor phazing.
    Finding TDC as mentioned up a way's in the thread is where i'd start..followed by firing order.
    good luck guy's..
     
  9. Hey Guys,

    Ok this is the lowdown:

    1. found top dead centre
    2. put on the spark wires in the correct order (which is stamped on the block and also matched the service manual). double checked.
    3. tired to start. motor turns over but never runs and its almost like bang! bang! bang! out of the carb.
    4. the timing was at 10 retarded so we adjusted to 0` with no difference. then adjusted to 10` advanced. all this was done in 1` increments.

    when the carb back fires, you can see fuel being spewed out of the throat of the carb. im wondering if the timing is really 180 out, wont it be firing the plug on the intake stroke, pushing the fuel back out?

    thanks crew!

    Danny
     
  10. Brandy
    Joined: Dec 23, 2004
    Posts: 5,286

    Brandy
    Member
    from Texas

  11. av8jon
    Joined: Dec 3, 2004
    Posts: 607

    av8jon
    Member

    Hey Danny, Have ya checked for a stuck intake valve.......if you know you're electrically correct, I'd sure be checkin that.....

    Have you brought it up to TDC on the compression stroke and checked which wire the rotor is pointing at???? Some engines you might be only one or more teeth off on the dizzy instead of a full 180........
     
  12. hey brandy,

    what would the fuses do? we are getting fuel to the carb and spark to the spark plugs. am i missing something?

    you and you mysterious tech "help"...im beginning to wonder if you just dont go around sewing the seeds of doubt...

    xxx
     
  13. Brandy
    Joined: Dec 23, 2004
    Posts: 5,286

    Brandy
    Member
    from Texas

    At BilletProof I was standing there with a guy and his Model A coupe. NICE CAR, this lug walks up and points out the master cyl. Says that came off of a 70's pickup. I said NO ACTUALLY that came off of a VW. He fell for it.:D It's not WHAT I SAY, it's HOW I SAY IT!........oh and he was right.

    The fuses I'm talking about are the two AUSSIES standing on either side of the motor. JOKE man JOKE!:D Read the material I posted for ya.

    xxx
     
  14. Oh yeah yeah, jus wasnt funny so i didnt get it right away... :D

    Danny
     
  15. cootergotahaircut
    Joined: Dec 28, 2005
    Posts: 22

    cootergotahaircut
    Member

    It's 180 out
    just had the same problem with mine
    Spun it around , changed the plug , and it ran like a champ
     
  16. Hey Psycho,

    Bring the motor to TDC, remove the dist, rotate it 180 deg and drop it back in.

    Should do the trick man !!

    Rat
     

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