Oddbal backfiring question

All--I recently fixed by backfiring problem where I was getting backfire when taking my foot off the accelerator pedal and slowing down. This was a simple case of replacing the exhaust gaskets and tightening the exhaust to the engine.

BUT---recently I get a popping sound when accelerating---sort of a backfiring when accelerating. Not nearlly as loud as a real backfire --more a deep popping sound. Starting in first gear and in each succeding gear as I speed up I get it. Sometines going 45 or so in 4th gear and speeding up I get it. It lessens after the engine has warmed up but never goes completely away.

Anyone ever had this? What's going on and how do I fix it?

Thanks for any advice!----Jack

If it only pops on acceleration, check your intake manifold gaskets and carb. base gaskets.

Larry---thanks for this tip--I'll see about those intake gaskets.

You know, there were quite a few things that weren't tight on the car when I got it with 700 miles on it. A tip on this great site led me to check the front end/steering nuts and bolts and a few (6-7) were very loose bedfor I tightened them.

This popping just started 50 miles ago so it's something new.

Thanks again---Jack

I used to use starting fluid (ether) and spray it around the base of the intake manifolds and carburetor to intake manifold gasket.

If the engine rose in RPM's then there was a leak but lately, I've been using spray carburetor cleaner. It makes the engine stumble and is MUCH more noticable than using the ether.

Larry--I'll start with that. You is da bomb! Thanks--Jack

Might want to check that your idle jets are clear of rust flakes.
Takes a couple minutes to take them out, pop the jets off and hit them with a little canned air. That's a sort of psst-pop kind of noise, but you said it happens in fourth gear; could be that you're not really into the mains that much at a constant speed.
TC told me this spring that the 10 percent alcohol addition to fuel this summer would probably break down some of the foam in my poly tank; sure enough, I've been having the same troubles.

If the car is smoking more than normal (blackish at idle) ; it's the sign of leaking intake manifold gaskets. Put some new ones with a little wheelbearing grease on them and you'll be set.

Well--I tightened to carbs to the intake manifolds and tightened to intake manifolds and that stopped the poping 100%.

Odd thing to me was that there was jutst a small amount of tightening to do---maybe 1/8 turn or so.

It's completely fixed now.

Thanks to all--esppecially Larry. (I know you told me to hide my tools from myself!!)---Jack

Jack:

Several companies sell thicker manifold-to-head gaskets, which I've been using for a while now, that seem to give longer service than the "normal" or "Stock" gaskets. It doesn't take a lot of looseness to make them leak at the heads, because the height of the manifold and the weight of the carb on the top provides a lot of leveraged force to either make them vibrate or push them away from the center of the engine and then they leak. Everybody seems to go through this, and having a few spare manifold-to-head gaskets in your on-road spares kit is mandatory.

gn

Gordon--can you steer me to the right manifold to head gaskets--I'd like to order some to have on hand.

My carbs are Kadrons and my VS was made last march. It's a 1915 cc engine.

I was very surprised that such a small adjustment cured my popping though.


I am very jealous that you get to live in Beaufort!--Jack

Jack:

Most of those yearning to be "Beaufortonians" were either current duty or former active duty Marines due to the Parris Island link. Times have changed....Nowadays, we've been written up in magazines like "Coastal Living" or "Southern living" (best small town in the South) so we've suddenly been "discovered" by those Baby Boomers (like me) wanting to get away from the snow and ice (also like me).
What that means is that home prices, which were stable and low for years are now climbing dramatically (really nice three bedroom place on the water was $200,000 5 years ago.....same place today is $650 and climbing $100K per year, even with the slow-down). The Boomers don't even blink an eye at a Million dollar house that, 5 years ago, wouldn't have brought $400K

OK, back to our regularly scheduled topic:

Here's the CB link to those thicker gaskets - you'll have to figure out which ones you'll need at the base by the shape of your intake ports (round or oblong).

http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=515

gn

That's pretty much true for the whole South Carolina coast, although I think Beaufort is at the lead. Charleston's more of a city (what passes for one in SC) but it's seeing a similar influx of well-to-do retirees. Wouldn't mind bein' one of 'em.

I think you have to Retire first...

Oh, and Southern Living ranks Charleston as the best City in the South. Aren't you glad you live there now??

I'm glad I moved here BEFORE the prices went absolutely nuts! We like it (except July and August) but our hearts are in the mountains.

I have to admit, though, that there are more festivals and whatnot here than anywhere else I've ever lived. Always something going on, something to see, somewhere to go. That's awfully nice.

Hmmm... Eleven posts into a thread and we're waaaaay of topic. Now how can I link Charleston to backfiring? Oh yeah, the signature dish here is shrinp 'n' grits with a side of red beans, but you'd better watch out for the aftermath!

Sooo......Jack!

You order those gaskets yet?

gn
One of the (5) "Speedstah Guys" from Beaufort