Engine "backfire"..

[Belltone85]

The last few times I have drove my car if i get aggressive with the throttle the car seems to have a slight i guess backfire but the sound it more of like a "ting"  than a bang... if that makes sense, kind of like a can being crushed but a lot louder. any suggestions to what it might be? it seems alot more frequently when it is colder outside, if that helps any. appreciate any help.

[Chryco Psycho]

possibly slightly lean & igniting in the exhaust

[GoodysGotaCuda]

So this is while you are on the throttle? Possible you may be hearing preignition/detonation. That kinda sounds like a penny in a can rattling around. 

[sleepychallenger]

reads like a ping to me. i would start by checking your timing. maybe vaccum leaks that may have popped up.

[Belltone85]

Thanks for your suggestions guys. I was thinking timing, not really sure what it's set at and have always had a suspision that it was never set properly. I'm guessing that it takes some skill to set it right? never done it before and not really sure where to begin...

[sleepychallenger]

i like a good timing light to get it, some folks here are good enough to get it by ear. i get it close with a timing light and then get it closer by ear.

[Belltone85]

Hmmm, this is something that i need to learn very badly then.

[Oldschool]

There are many ways to set the timing to what the engine "wants".  Sounds like your timing is a little too far advanced.  If it was my car, I would unplug and cap off the vacuum advance, then rotate the dizzy clockwise a little at a time until the pinging stops under acceleration.  Loosen the lockdown bolt, rotate it clockwise about a 1/4" or so and lock it back down.  Test drive it.  Repeat as needed until the pinging stops. That should be pretty close.  Let's get it there first, and see if that takes care of the problem.  Then we can get it dialed in perfectly for ya....       

[Belltone85]

Alrighty, I have turn the distributor a few times and took it for a few drives an i haven't heard the noise....but i have noticed it hesitate a bit from a standing stop, also it seems to really struggles to turn oer when i'm starting it. does the hesitation mean i turned it a bit too far?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Alrighty, I have turn the distributor a few times and took it for a few drives an i haven't heard the noise....but i have noticed it hesitate a bit from a standing stop, also it seems to really struggles to turn oer when i'm starting it. does the hesitation mean i turned it a bit too far?

You are on the right track.    If the timing is too far retarded, starting is difficult. It sounds like you might have a small window of just a few degrees where it is happy.   


  Mike

[Aussie Challenger]

  Start to bring it back up a small amout at a time and test it. If the rattle comes back go back a wisker. I wouldn't bother reconnecting the vac advance unless you are going to do a lot of highway cruising. The vac advance is also adjustable.   

[Moparal]

You may want to try putting some 93 octane in the tank or better before you start twisting on things for pings. You may need it

[RaptorF229]

definitely stick with the higher octane. Trial and error should prevail here.

[hooD]

So this is while you are on the throttle? Possible you may be hearing preignition/detonation. That kinda sounds like a penny in a can rattling around. 

 

What engine are you running and what's the compression ratio?  Sounds like you have a need for some higher octane as others have said although timing is also very important.

[Belltone85]

Hmm well that could be a problem, the highest octane I can get where I live is 91 i believe...unless there is a place that sells higher but i have only ever seen 91. As for right now tho it seems to be running well. i'm sure it could be better but it's alot better than before.