Backfiring through carburetor

Hey JAKESCAKESNY,

Common causes of this would be:

Faulty ignition components; plugs, coil or wires.
Ignition timing not properly adjusted.
Valve timing incorrectly adjusted.
Vacuum leaks.
Carburetor incorrectly adjusted.

Did you replace all of the ignition components or are you using the originals?
Have you adjusted the ignition timing?
Did you set the valve timing yourself?

Let us know what work you have done so far, what parts have been replaced and we can advise you on the next best step to track down the cause of this issue.

Regards, Joe

I removed the engine from the frame, cleaned it up, replaced head gasket, new water pump, new timing chain, new thermostat, new fuel filter and fuel pump, new distributor.
Getting fuel at the carburetor. When piston is top dead center on the compression stroke it’s a 0 degrees on the balancer. Distributor is pointing at cylinder one.
Should I set it at 8 degrees before TDC and point it to plug one?
Also, when key is on I only have a power at one side of my ballast resistor until the starter is engaged. Is this normal?

Hey JAKESCAKESNY,

Do you have access to an ignition timing light or a vacuum gauge?

This will be the best way to set the timing.

You could start with a base setting by the method you described but you will then need to tune the ignition timing accurately.

With the ignition on what is the voltage measured at the input to the ignition coil?

Regards, Joe