Thanks to the help of various fte members, I’ve gotten my truck running and idling. Only thing is, getting on the throttle and letting off causes the carb to spit gas. With the hood open it spits gas right on the windshield (hence the spitting cobra part as they aim for the eyes.) it doesn’t take full throttle to do it either, a little will do it too. I don’t have a timing light but it idles smooth and I set it to 10 degrees as per the marks on the timing cover. I verified with my finger that it was at tdc (set it at tdc with finger then looked at mark and it was perfectly at 0.) then backed it to 10 and trend distributor so #1 was directly in the center of the rotor contact.

Anything else that might cause this?

 

You really need a timing light to set the advance properly. Unless you have your distributor locked out there is a mechanical advance in the distributor which even at idle will change your setting.

Without a light you can loosen the clamp and turn the distributor one way and the other slowly while the engine is running. You will see if it smooths right out or gets worse.

If you have a vacuum gauge you can check if the needle is smooth or if it is bouncing around. If it is bouncing then you likely have some intake valves not closing properly and this is why the carb is spitting.

 

Here’s a video of it idling and the exhaust. Note: has glasspak exhaust and the glass pak is cracked and leaks.

Couldn’t get the video to attach because I’m on my phone but link provided above.

 

Agree with 73F700 on checking the engine's health with a vacuum gauge.

She sounds like a valve problem.....could be wrong.

Another test for valve springs health: Stretch a dollar bill loosely over the exhaust pipe...if it wants to suck back in the pipe you have a valve spring/ valve problem.

 

Was engine work recently performed? New cam by any chance? New valves or other components?
Is the six-cylinder in this case using rocker arms? Adjustable?
What about lifters? Doe this engine use hydraulic lifters or mechanical?

Some things that cause spitting are:

1. Carburetor not delivering enough fuel (way too lean).
2. Big vacuum leaks (also too lean).
3. Improper timing.
4. Failing cam lobes (hence the question about a new cam).
5. Very poor quality spark. Very weak for whatever reason.
6. Valvetrain issues beyond the cam. Broken valve springs, pushrods, rockers, etc.

Is the ignition still using points? Or is it electronic?
Wiring in good shape, or as good a shape as these older trucks usually have?
What was done to the carburetor?

As said, you need a timing light. Too many variables to do it by eye. You may actually have nailed it. But more often than not you can't do it the way you described.

Good luck.

Paul