Around what range should the initial timing be set. I'm thinking my timing is off because my carb is backfiring often, blowing off my vacuum caps. Which causes the car to stumble and die in no time. Anyone have think I may have a different problem?

 

Severely retarded timing will cause a "sneeze" through the intake from time to time but the car will also make ZERO power. Your stock timing should be either 0* or 6* BTDC depending on exactly which engine you have. Setting it 4-6* BTDC will work fine on any of them, though, at least as far as just getting it running acceptably.

Just remember to disconnect the 4-wire connector on the back of the distributor that provides the ECM timing signal. That must be disconnected to get an accurate initial timing reading.

 

Everybody seems to blame every driveability problem on either "timing", or "EGR".

Usually a spit-back through the intake, especially if it does it when you punch it, is a symptom of a lean condition. Does the car do the thing where you give it some gas and it pulls for a second or 2 then fades away? you give it lots of gas and it doesn't seem to do much, then you let up on the gas and it starts to pull? These are also symptoms of running lean.

Most often that's caused by a dirty fuel filter, bad fuel pump, clogged fuel line in the tank, or a carb that needs rebuilt. The 1st 3 things usually tend to get much worse when you attempt to cruise doen the highway, and accelerate; or go up a hill at high speeds.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

I advanced my timing a little and that seemed to have solved the problem. I appreciate the help.