Yesterday, after doing lots of internet surfing to figure out why the engine was backfiring I proceeded to go through a troubleshooting plan concocted from limited knowledge and experience regarding this particular issue. All I knew was that the engine was creating a very loud "report"on a frequent basis that made not wearing ear protection painful. So the possible causes (by no means complete) - detonation, engine running rich, fouled spark plug, poor timing (not the romantic type) and other more bad things.
So my plan: Check the spark plugs, check the timing, check the fuel injection system, pray!
All of these steps required internet and Youtube guidance. Much like getting caught in the middle of the surgery and not knowing your next step (I joke, never happened).
Took a look at the sparkplugs - somewhat fouled with carbon around the base...but how much is too much. So put the plugs back in.
Got the timing light out... of course I had to watch the excellent video from MSD ignition...very informative and highly recommended. After that, went out to the garage and started the engine up. Got the timing light running and found that the timing was !!eek !!! 35 degrees advanced. Adjusted this to about fifteen and, darned if the backfiring stopped. I guess that's why I don't do this on a regular basis.
For good measure, I plugged in the computer for the Powerjection III ECU and went back to close to the recommended factory settings. The engine was running much better.... until I ran out of gas.
Sometimes you have to keep first things first.
Next project is to start work on the body and to fix the crack in the body that happened soon after delivery (more than 2 years ago). I am very happy that this is not my daily driver, otherwise, I would be exceptionally fit from all of the walking I would have done without a working vehicle.
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