Need Mechanical HELP!!!!!!

[2000LaDe 10+ year member]

ok to start i have an 87 astro with a 4.3L

i am wondering if anyone knows where to set the timing on this thing? changed the distributor on it and we cannot seem to get it running right. We have it idling great it seems but when u drop it into drive or reverse it just pukes and shuts off. eventually we can get it moving but when i try to take off in drive it backfires like crazy but will idle down the road. put it in 1st and drive its fine go into 2nd its fine but when i put it into drive it starts backfiring again. we have been trying to figure out why it keeps puking on it and shutting off when u put it in gear and try to take off since SBN. it will idle strong all day but cant get it to stop choking itself out. its running super rich too. changed all plugs, wires, button, cap, distributor,O2 sensor, egr valve and i think the MAP sensor or something. still cant seem to get it running worth a dam other than idling

HELP NEEDED or wanted if u lived close

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[2000LaDe 10+ year member]

i have adjusted the distributer to 4 degrees as my timing i just dont know if its right. i took it to 0 degree's and it shut off on me i just wonder where it should actually be timed. i have a timing light.

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

Did you unplug the timing wire?

 

[2000LaDe 10+ year member]

no i just found out i needed too so i guess thats what ill try next.

 

[5.3bowtie 10+ year member]

Unplug the wire and see where the timing mark is at. If it is +-20ish degrees or more you will need to move the distributor a tooth clock wise or counter clock wise accordingly.

 

[boostNbeer]

Sounds like timing for sure

 

[TnT_Sounds 10+ year member]

hmm....

does it miss or lose power while at load? Seems like it since its backfiring.

A distributor is the least of your worries at the moment. Dont advance your timing to compensate for it.

Look at the glazing on your plugs, disconnect the electronic advance before setting the timing, clear any codes that may be stored in the computer, see if your oil smells like gas or has an utter smell to it.

Normaly, the backfiring under load you get is from some teeth missing on the timing chain. Could be a numerous amount of problems, my chevy did the same thing so I junked it.

 

[TnT_Sounds 10+ year member]

i have adjusted the distributer to 4 degrees as my timing i just dont know if its right. i took it to 0 degree's and it shut off on me i just wonder where it should actually be timed. i have a timing light.

8* advanced is where it should be. Might have to drill out the plug on the idle set screw and set the idle as it will probably idle up.

 

[2000LaDe 10+ year member]

hmm....
does it miss or lose power while at load? Seems like it since its backfiring.

A distributor is the least of your worries at the moment. Dont advance your timing to compensate for it.

Look at the glazing on your plugs, disconnect the electronic advance before setting the timing, clear any codes that may be stored in the computer, see if your oil smells like gas or has an utter smell to it.

Normaly, the backfiring under load you get is from some teeth missing on the timing chain. Could be a numerous amount of problems, my chevy did the same thing so I junked it.

its not really missing under a load because when i put it in first and take off im fine and shift up into 2nd its fine but when i shift up into drive is when it starts. i have a good feeling its only because i timed it wrong. gonna try what a few of you have suggested and go from there.