Backfires thru carb- compression test

[Chris & Ranae Procyk <procyk19@domain.elided>]

It passed the compression test: 150 +/- 7

And then it just about gave me a Kojak
(might have to explain that to some of
the younger people) when I tried
to start it again.

I'm at wit's end.  Here's the
whole thing:

1) Ran great, started stumbling.

2) Got home, next day couldn't restart.

3) replaced plugs, rotor, cap, and
put in a Crane Cams/Allison ign.
to replace the points, since I didn't
feel like setting the dwell.
Set timing to TDC.  At least now
it started and ran somewhat.
But- the first thing you do with the
Allison is to set up the motor to TDC
with the rotor pointing at the correct
plug- #8 for IH.  It seemed to me
that I had to REALLY crank the distributor
in the Retard direction to get #8 lined up.
Just something to think about.

4) Hand checked the spark on every
plug.  All were excellent.

5) Took carb primary apart.  Replaced
power valve and needle valve. (but 
screwed up the needle valve-)

6) Ran great, so went for a test drive.
Started stumbling about 1/2 mile
from home, eventually died.
Had to run home (Mountain Bike
had broken chain).

7) Discovered gas visible in vents!!
Found out that I had cocked O-ring
on needle valve.  Put together properly.
Ran great, but didn't want breakdown
experience.

8) Over next couple weeks, started and
let idle several times.  Ran great.

9) Took to station, started stumbling and
spitting fire out tailpipe.

10) Towed home.

11) Re-checked timing and firing order,
no problemo.

12) Put on different carb.  Backfired through
carb big-time.

13) Checked compression.  Perfect.

So I'm at lucky 13.  My only thought is
that the cam is mistimed somehow, and
they corrected for it, *if* my impression
or radically twisting the distributor is right,
by advancing the timing.

I'm going to put the old carb back on (too
many weird hoses on the WM one) and
see if I can figure out a way to check out
the cam timing without pulling the whole
pile of crap off the front of the engine.
The valve covers leak anyway, so I 
don't mind pulling them.



'67 1000B step-side p/up  BG241 + 4spd
'70 1200D 4x4 Travelette 392 4spd
'71 1010 Travelall  392 auto
'73 1210 Wagonmaster, 392 auto