I have been working on my newly rebuilt 355, I have just got everything on the motor to get it running.

Now the problem is that it backfires through the carb after running momentarily, and while it runs it mostly coughs and sputters. I've tried backing off the rockers, moving distributor, advancing-retarding. After everything it still runs like crap and backfires through the carb no matter where the distributor is set.

 

oh you have the plugwires screwed up

do i win something?

well that or you put the dist installed incorrectly or the cam isnt aligned with the crank properly

 

Uhh, no 18436572 thats where its set.
And cam is properly aligned dot to dot.

 

well a back fire through the carb is a sign of one thing... intake valve being open when that cylinder is fired...

so you either have the plugs in the wrong order or you have the dist installed incorrectly... your pick when the cam and crank are aligned dot to dot the #6 cylinder is firing not #1 the dots at 12 will give you #1 firing

 

If you've got a flat tappet cam make sure you havn't wiped a lobe off the cam . If you didn't break the cam in and use good oil it's a real problem .

 

I agree with this as being the first thing to check.

 

Update: I got the beast running today, broke in the cam, and took it for a spin. It was a real fun ride. Thanks for any advice offered.

I timed it wrong the first time around, pulled dizzy and timed it again, runs absolutely wonderfully. Starts with just a bump when cold, without a choke. I'm pretty proud of myself, being that i built that motor myself with a little help and a lot of research.

 

Amazing feeling isn't it? Give yourself a pat on the back and go rip up the tires! Enjoy it while it lasts, soon enough you'll be breaking stuff, and the feeling won't last

How'd you get 9.7:1 CR with 882 heads, if I may ask?

 

I recalculated the compression ration and turns out it's closer to 9:0-1 but i'm just to lazy to change what it says.