Engine runs rough and backfires

Tiny
TOM WILLIAMSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1968 FORD MUSTANG
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 1,000 MILES
Installed 351w crate engine. Engine had not been run for ten years. Have installed new pointless distributor, new fuel pump, new wiring and plugs, checked compression (118-120), timed and wired for 351 also tried wiring for 302 cam (definitely not 302), set floats on Edelbrock 4bbl. All vacuum ports plugged (except vacuum advance ).
Still rough idle, almost like a miss, backfires through carburetor and exhaust with manual acceleration.
Would appreciate your advise.
Thanks, Tom
Friday, May 11th, 2018 AT 9:44 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
What firing order are you using?
Here is the firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, counterclockwise and not the cylinders on the passenger side from front to back are 1, 2, 3, 4 and drivers side 5, 6, 7, 8.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
TOM WILLIAMSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
As I stated in problem I used 351 wiring and Ford distributor rotation. I have set timing compression, timing marks, rotor pointing to number one.
If a valve was hanging up-would it back fire through carburetor and exhaust?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 8:02 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
I read what you stated, I was just trying to make sure you had the correct firing order, rotation and cylinder identification, so can you confirm the firing order, rotation and cylinder identification?
With the backfiring out the intake and exhaust it sounds like you have a crossfire.
Either than or you have both a too lean fuel mixture, choke open too far and a too rich fuel mixture, dripping carburetor down the air horn on the inside.
That could happen if there is too much fuel pressure forcing the float needle off the seat, so how much fuel pressure do you have and have you checked for a vacuum leak.
Does the engine at least stop backfiring back out the carburetor once the engine is warm and choke wide open?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
TOM WILLIAMSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Would that be carburetor or vacuum?
Would the compression test not show if a valve was leaking?
Back firing does not change when engine warm and choke open.
Appears to be running rich lots of carbon in carburetor and exhaust.
Will go through carburetor, what should I look for?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
What are you asking, "Would that be carburetor or vacuum?"
Yes, the compression test should have confirmed if a valve was not seating.
Remove the air cleaner and filter, first of all take a shop rag and while the engine is warm and choke wide open, take the rag and cover the carburetor air horn and shut off most of the air going in, the engine should run slower, maybe stumble or even stall. If it actually runs better like that, that proves there is a vacuum leak. Then if the engine does barely run, try shutting off all the air going into the carburetor. The engine should shut off. If the engine still runs with all the air cutoff, then it must be getting air from somewhere else, such as a vacuum leak.
Now, with the engine idling warm, choke wide open, use a mirror and flashlight and look right down the carburetor air horn and look to see if you can see any gas dripping onto the throttle plates.
You never mentioned what your fuel pressure was and also you never confirmed your firing order, rotation and cylinder identification.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
TOM WILLIAMSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Sorry, I confirm firing order, rotation of distributor and cylinder location. Have not run fuel pressure test.
Appreciate your information, will preform your suggested tests and let you know results.
Thanks. Tom
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
You could also do a cylinder balance test and find out which cylinders are misfiring, by using a think pair of gloves and insulated pliers remove each spark plug wire at the cap and put it back on and listen if while pulling each one you get a drop in rpm about the same for each. Let me know which are misfiring.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
TOM WILLIAMSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Will let you know. Have a great weekend!
Tom
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Thank you and you too. Thank you for visiting 2CarPros.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 12th, 2018 AT 11:52 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links