I have a 91 camaro with 70 sbc 350 installed
has a edelbrock 1406 manual choke.
i was trying to get carb more tuned as it severely out of tune.
while trying to get a starting point passenger side of engine started bashing like severe detonation or even busted piston.
unsure as soon as I heard noise I turn off engine and haven’t started it back up yet.
would adjusting carb cause internal damage if not what is a good start setting to start attempting to tune.
gonna try starting it tomorrow if I get time see if sound starts instant or only after it warms up
i bought engine this way and I don’t know what all been done internally

 

Making a carb adjustment can't cause mechanical damage, but dropping a carburetor screw or some other small object down into the engine certainly could. When you attempt to restart the engine, take careful note of the oil pressure; that will provide a clue as to what might be going on. Based on the very limited info you've been able to provide, it sounds like you may be dealing with multiple issues.

Buying an old, used engine without being able to hear it run first is always a risk.

 

I had it running without sound so wasn’t there when I originally bought. Was trying to figure out a good start point to start getting carb tuned then sound started

 

Sound could be a severe misfire plan on checking plug for fouling.

 

That's not usually a good sign; when "tuning" the carb, or anything else. Probably not related in any way to the carb itself, as if, the carb is "causing" the "banging".

How "enthusiastically" were you "testing" the "tuning" of this carb? (pardon all the scare quotes, they're necessary to cut through the euphemisms)

 

Got time after work to start car up and not as bad but is sounding more of a piston slap.
I bought the car as a project car to try and learn more on more basic designs rather than newer ones with vvt bs.
This is first time setting up carb so not too proficient on everything but also have done alot of work on cars and have the will to learn between watching videos and reading.

I set the idle screws to approximately 1 full turn back from max before starting it which is what I have read and drop the throttle adjustment screw to have engine idle between 750-1k

 

Idle screw on right facing carb I did hear rpm drop but idle screw on left I am not hearing any difference.

another thing I did notice I have some smoke coming from carb after it runs enough to see which most people on here are suggesting it’s due to having too high of fuel pressure. I am planning on testing my fuel pressure next day I can.
if it is too high any recommendations for cheap but reliable fuel regulator

 

So dug into engine everything seems ok only issue was 8th cylinder at 120psi with rest avg 140-150.
found a lot of burns on the wires so replaced them with a new set for hei.
still has a hard start which I’m thinking is gonna be timing (unsure what it’s set for)
gonna rest timing chain movement as long as I still have indicators on engine last time I checked I didn’t notice them.
but still have two issue I got to get fixed as wrll
new wires the boots is touching the headers
and 2
i have to find a lower engine mount to get engine lower in bay.
air cleaner is hitting on top of the hood(making another post for engine mounts for recommendations)

 

Did find another issue I was going to move car to opposite side of garage.
its giving a hesitation and have to keep gassing it to keep it running.
i pushed clutch down placed it into reverse put some gas and stalls out while clutch is still down on floor.
tried 3x and same effect each time