Strange Issue

**1project2many** · 4 Weeks Ago

So this is a tough situation to help with. It's tough b/c as an experienced mechanic I've gotten used to seeing and thinking of problems in ways that help diagnose the what's wrong. Your description may be right but it doesn't match up well with what I'm used to seeing.

Sucks that you had a fire. Hopefully it didn't result in other damage! I think a fuel pressure test might be a good idea. Low fuel pressure can cause hard star, no start, and backfire. I'm not sure what else to recommend at this point.

**Resin** · 4 Weeks Ago

Can a vacuum leak possibly cause backfiring? I will throw my fuel pressure gauge on it tomorrow. No damage, I had a fire blanket at the ready and threw it over immediately.

**steveo** · 4 Weeks Ago

no even a massive vac leak will not cause a fire. a fire in your throttle body could only be a severely leaking injector (unlikely) or a timing or valvetrain issue. is it possible that while messing around diagnosing the previous issue you have clocked the distributor improperly

**Resin** · 4 Weeks Ago

It is certainly possible. Would the rotor being backwards cause that? I.E. pointing at wire 1 when #6 is at TDC?

**MO LS Noobie** · 4 Weeks Ago

Ignition timing, improper firing order, to lean of fuel mixture, are some of the other issues that will cause backfiring through the intake.

**Resin** · 4 Weeks Ago

Well I am both sad and delighted to report that she is now running. I found the problem. It was me. I am the problem. I installed the distributor backwards. Thank you everyone for your experience and assistance.

**steveo** · 4 Weeks Ago

glad you beat it
its definitely something ive done before

**MO LS Noobie** · 4 Weeks Ago

Those that never make a mistake are never doing anything. We've all been there, done that. The best lessons for me are the most painful, makes it kind of hard to forget. I worked with a guy once that when he stabbed a distributor 180° out he just modified the rotor to fit. Could not convince him otherwise. I did not envy the next person to have to change the distributor rotor, and try to figure out why it wouldn't run. Glad yours worked out

**TriumphR3** · 4 Weeks Ago

Holy mackerel! I would have never thought to mode the rotor cap! I just reclocked the distributor. Silly me. Yes we have all done it. Hopefully you only make that mistake once.