Not for 25 years they can't! And anyone not quick enough to figure out how to add timing marks to a damper so the timing will be right shouldn't really work on engines. The human ear is not a professional engine tuning tool, even for long time pros.

 

Could be high speed detonation poping/cracking at high RPM. More back pressue no thanks have never found much use for it in 45 years of engine building. Honda with a 4 inch tip is just a realy nasty noise (like an injured amimal that needs put down) and most likely decreases power. As the exhaust pipe increases in length the exhaust gases become cooler less expansion and speed decreases and the pipe dia can be reduced to keep the air speed up. Simple physics. High back pressure is what will toast valves and seats backs up removal of exhaust heat is not taken away frome the cylinder. Proper amounts of back pressure can be used in place of EGR but requires hours of testing.

 

Having built circle track motors and hot rods since the 80's, I primarily tune by ear and a vacuum gauge. Never blown a motor doing that yet. I can't tell you the times I've taken somebodies motor they've "timed" using a light which ran so-so and gotten it to purr by ear. A timing light is only a secondary aide in my book. Still you have your right to an opinion, even if in doing you you call them clueless thus making yourself sound biased, judgemental, petty, and uninformed.

Ice, my first thought was your carb, and if you've eliminated your timing thats the next step. If it were a Holley I could walk you through it to fix those symptoms but sadly I don't touch eboks with a ten foot pole

 

when mine back fired like that one of my lifters came apart and opened the exhuast valve up when the oil pressure built up and made it backfire but yours sounds diffrent i would try dumping rice in radiotor and driving for along time until your timing made it blow up.

 

sorry dood, i was jus jokin

 

And what octane gas you running in the race motor? Bet it isn't 87 ping your motor to death crap from the local pump. It's amazing what Hi octane gas will cover up and still not help preformance. And "Having built circle track motors and hot rods since the 80's" , less than half as long as I have and how many National Championships and records have you set?

 

You still don't get it, do you? Getting wrapped up in personel comparisons because you're threatened that someone else with decades of motor experience has a differing opinion? Shall we compare e-bicept measurements now? And whats with the octane tangent? Granted, none of the motors that went in the circle track cars ran on regular, but plenty of the motors that went in the "hot rods" could run on normal dino. So, since you infer you've set national records and championships I'm sure you can provide links to said accomplishments? Not that it really has any bearing on this discussion, I'm just curious if I need to dig out my hip waders or not.

The point is, despite having some valid points, you sound both demeaning and full of hot air when you proclaim to others "if you don't do it MY way you don't have a clue and will blow your motor". A timing light can be a valuable tool, true. However, its not the ONLY way to time a motor without blowing it up. That is, if you know what your doing. Not that I in turn am inferring anything...

 

I've been alive along time and none of you could threaten me with jack as to your knowledge. I been there and done that and made good money for a long time off guesses by guys doing their own tuning set up. I don't care if you F**k up your motor, but to tell someone else it's ok is not only immoral but wrong by any standard on this planet and no professional mecanic or teach would say that. I've done the ear thing many times on fresh engines on start up. Do I trust it for final timing, he!! no, as it is irresponsible if it is someone else motor. Do what you want to you own stuff, but don't tell someone a non-standard way of doing thing with their motor is ok, it's not. Besides your free advise is worth no more than mine. Sounds to me like you turkeys are feeling threatened rather than me.

 

Double check your valves, make sure none are sticking. That's the same thing the 390 in my 72 was doing before it dropped an exhaust valve.

 

Thats becoming very clear. I'll refrain from any Ensure, Depends, or senile dementia jokes however, since swearing and personal attacks such as this:

are not appreciated by admin. Besides, they make one sound petty and childish. Take a deep breath and calm down. If you read my post carefully I said that, in my book, a timing light was a secondary aide, rather than primary. Not that you should disregard that particular tool all together. Is that clear? And look, I made my point with saying anybody was clueless!

So uh....does this mean no links to championship record breakings will be forthcoming

 

Kev, I agree about the carb tuning. You can try messing with the jetting and see if that helps. Also, are you sure all of your internals are good? Something may have come from the factory a little messed up or someone may have put the wrong jets in it. It could be something simple like that(hopefully). Just chock it up to human error, before I get flammed for saying someone that has been building carbs for many years can mess up once. That, of course, after figure out your timing. Also, did you check your fuel system for water? I know that may not cause it, but I used to work on motorcycles and if they got a little water in their system, they would run like crap. Not trying to call you dumb or anything, but the most over-looked solution to a problem is the simple solution! Keep us posted on what you find!!

 

Who died and made you God on here? " said proeliator" "If you read my post carefully I said that, in my book, a timing light was a secondary aide, rather than primary." You got it backwards, it's a primary tool for every tool box. Your book has major errors in it.

 

And they didn't blow up? Sounds a little irresponsible to me.

 

Well, since you mentioned it, apparently you did. Would you like my paypal address so you can send me monthly tithes? Good insurance at your age.

Oh, and then you used a timing light. Let me get this straight, first you timed by ear, then used a timing light. As a secondary aide. Guess you have it backwards too.

 

Yeah, edit the quote to leave out the supporting part. Now who can't take the heat and is lying like a democrat?

Originally Posted by Bear 45/70 I've done the ear thing many times on fresh engines on start up. Do I trust it for final timing, he!! no, as it is irresponsible if it is someone else motor.