The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Quick distributor question

couple questions -

The metal leads on the top of the dizzy cap; if those are bent/about to break off, would that be causing my truck to backfire occasionally?

Yea, I know I need to change it - just want to know if that's the cause.

2nd, when I replace the spark plug wires as well, how much of that grease stuff should I put on the end? A lot or a little?

Thanks

Here's what I think (for what its worth)

First the easy one: On the wires, I haven't used dielectric grease. Never have in many many vehicles. The rubber boot is usually ok, and if the leads and cap are new, it seals up just fine. Since its high tension (lots o volts) I wonder if that goo is a good idea.

Occasional backfire - kinda need to know more. Does it do it on shut down? Cold? On Deceleration? Randomly? When its wet out? Is the timing and dwell set right?

Backfire can be caused by carb mixture or shorting of plug wires. If its random, its harder to diagnose. If the dist cap and wires are bad, best replace them anyway and then see if the backfire problem changes.

Dist. cap term. burning can be caused by aluminum terms. & none resister wires. Get a cap with brass terms. & new plug wires. That is probably your backfire problem. If it still does check the point gap & timeing. If not that it might be a lean fuel mixture.

Well, here's what I know -

To arnswine... it does it all the time. Well, not one continuous backfire, but here's an example: I'll be driving down the road, I come to a stop sign. I stop, I then pull forward, just like normal by pushing the gas. When I reach the speed I need to be at (usually about 30 mph since it's a resedential neighborhood) I let off the gas and it is a kind of "pop" noise. Not a super loud "POW!"...just a pop. It does this whenever I push the gas increasing speed, then let off.

I think what you both said about the lean fuel mixture may be key. When I bought the truck, it's idle speed was set really low - to save gas. It runs just fine, but I wonder if that could be the problem?

Thanks guys

Is it popping through the intake or the exhaust? Does it have an exhaust leak?
Scott

suonds like a blown exhust manifold gasket.look for carbon traces around the intake manifold.Ya check the dounut gasket on the exhust pipe and the heat riser on the exhust manifold if it free.sometimes the rod that holds the butterfly is worn if free an ya get a blow by leak.if this is the problem,take off the manifold,torch,cut out butterfly,weld up holes.the truck will run fine.The butterfly just helps the engine warm up a little quicker.Now I'll hear some hell from that remark.good luck.engine idle is 500rpm.changing the cap &plug wires will help,also plugs,points,cond,just give it a good tuneup.show your truck you care.It will care for you.Its the old saying pay me now or pay me later twice+++++

Dan-Pa, that saying is exactly true -

I've had many suggestions as to what it might be, and a few have said exhaust leak. I'll check it out guys, thanks

By the way, went ahead and bought new wires and a new cap (plugs are brand new too) and got it all for $21.00

The dizzy cap is a brass lead one

I love getting good prices for warranties!!!

Timing too far advanced will cause that also. When I was young, about a million years ago, we used to advance the timing and drive around town letting our car backfire just for the fun of it.