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Back fire through exhaust

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Old May 20, 2010 | 01:37 PM
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Default Back fire through exhaust

Hi all,
I have a '79 L48 and experience backfireing thru the exhaust when I start it cold and when the engine is under load ( e.g. accelerating from stop) in the 1400 - 1800 rpm range. When it's warmed up it does not pop at idle. When I posted about this last year the suggestion was I was lean at idle or the timing wasn't right. Following Lar's paper I have set the timing as advanced as I can get it with out jerking at low rpm and dieseling when I shut it down and have tried turning the idle mixture screws out a full 7 - 8 turns. Since it happens when then engine is cold, is this a choke problem and I'm really too rich? As far as the pop when under load, I noticed I have fairly low manifold pressure at idle ( 10" which is something else to look at!) and I'm wondering if the power piston spring is too stiff and leaning it out during the transition to the primary circuit.
Thanks.
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Old May 20, 2010 | 03:47 PM
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Ive always understood popping through the exhaust to be a rich condition and popping through the carb to be a lean condition (with all other components working properly).

Being a 79 your car will have egr and a temperature controlled vacuum dash pot in the head I believe that controls the egr function or timing advance when the engine is cold (i simply don't recall).

10"s of vacuum is very low for your car. If you don't have leaky intake or carb gaskets or broken vacuum lines then maybe your egr valve is hung open.

I would check the compression on the motor and also with the engine running spray some carb cleaner around the intake gaskets and carb gaskets to see if you have leaky intake gaskets.

Try plugging the hose that goes to the brake booster and see how it runs.

Just some things I can think of. I also wonder if your secondary carb plates maybe hung open slightly.
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Old May 21, 2010 | 12:20 AM
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Poppin' through the exhaust is often a lean condition. Look fisrt for a vacuum leak. Start at the carb and work out.
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Old May 21, 2010 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by 73, Dark Blue 454
Poppin' through the exhaust is often a lean condition. Look fisrt for a vacuum leak. Start at the carb and work out.
also check the intake bolts... I have seen some back off over time and will cause it to suck air....
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Old May 21, 2010 | 10:38 AM
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I think you may have adjusted the valve lifters incorrectly and you have valves staying open a bit. If you did adjust the lifters, I suggest you recheck them first.

If you haven't messed with the lifters, your electronic ignition module may be 'shot'. It could be screwing up the timing on you. Also, since you have an HEI ignition, you need to follow the procedure for setting the initial timing up on an HEI system, since that module takes care of the rest.
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Old May 21, 2010 | 10:46 AM
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Does it still have the A.I.R. on it,if so it might be a defective diverter valve.
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Old May 21, 2010 | 12:50 PM
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That's another possibility.
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Old May 21, 2010 | 12:59 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions.
The A.I.R. system has been removed, I have not messed with the lifters. I just replaced the intake manifold gasket over the winter to try and stop my excessive oil consumption. I reset the initial timing per the paper on the timing sticky. When I checked the vacuum I plugged the guage into the PCV line. I'll check the compression and start checking the vacuum lines this weekend. I'll give the egr a thump for good measure.

Thanks again
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Old May 23, 2010 | 06:11 PM
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Turned out to be a bad EGR. I blocked it off and the vacuum came up into the green. Car idled much better and the popping in the exhaust just about disappeared.
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