[shahova1]

Ok I have a sbc 350 and the car backfires when you revve the engine up only when its cold but it runs pretty nornal when its hot. But my problem is I put the motor at tdc and the rotor is pointing at the #2 cylinder instead of the #1 cylinder. I read countless of threads and need to know do I have to pull the hei distributor out and put it back in correctly?

[DoubleVision]

It can be timed anywhere no matter where the rotor is pointing as long as it`s got the correct firing order. Example. It`s pointing at the number 4 cylinder. That cylinder is at top dead center on it`s compression stroke, then number 4 becomes number 1, run the number 1 plug wire to that cylinder then follow suite on the ramainder of the firing order. I don`t time them this way, but many others do as it does save time.
Your engine is backfiring when cold because it`s running lean. Is the choke in operation? It likely needs adjusted. If the chokes not in operation and you don`t want it to backfire don`t rev it.

[shahova1]

Thanks that helps out. The choke is operating last time I checked. I will mess with the idler screw on the carb to see if it gets any better

[shahova1]

If its running lean does that cause the car to stall out and act like it wants to cut off when taking off

[Custom10]

I recommend to pull it and once you reset it get the rotor at approx 5 o'clock when on verified TDC on #1 clyinder. Mark your dist base so that the mark lines up with the #1 tower on the cap, drop it in and see if it will engage the pump shaft. I use an old (clean) HEI with the cam gear ground down and the rotor plate removed to move the oil pump shaft. You want some room for the dist to spin before the vacuum can hits something either way once the dist is dropped in.

TJ

[shahova1]

Okay but I think b4 I take it out I'm gonna make sure my timing marks are lined up correctly at

[Custom10]

Yes a lean condition can do that,,,

[shahova1]

This might be a silly question but how do I know if its actually running lean or not

[Custom10]

well generally speaking,,,a lean motor will run hotter, ping, stumble, back fire

a retarded timing motor can also run hotter, stumble, back fire

a common cause related to both is a vacuum/manifold leak

a wide band AF meter/sensor is one tool but if not on hand then the best way is to start with the basics, fuel pressure, carb setup, timing

this is general info, list the details of the motor, induction type, stock or modified etc etc.

[shahova1]

350 motor all stock just aftermarket edelbrock intake manifold and edelbrock 600 carb with the fuel pressure at 13 psi

[Custom10]

the eddy wants 5.5psi no more,,,are you sure you checked that with a good gage?

[shahova1]

I have a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel line b4 it goes thru the carb and the psi is always in between 10-13 psi.

[Custom10]

something is amiss, what type of fuel pump is this?

[shahova1]

Um idk I just bought the car so I have no idea what fuel pump is on the car

[shahova1]

You think the problem is too much fuel going in and its bogging out