Popping, weird whining, and other annoyances...

[bluegrasscharger]

I recently installed a mopar electronic ignition kit on my 318.  But now when I rev the engine it kinda pops and sputters when it decelerates.  It isn't really backfiring but sounds more like someone with flem in their throat.  I have checked timing and it is fine.  It also has a hard time starting after sitting.  The starter will turn and turn before it starts.  Then when I put it in gear it dies.  I have to rev it it few times to clear the "flem" before I can put it in gear.  Maybe a fuel problem?  Fuel filter maybe?  Also there is a weird sound coming from the front of the motor.  It is hard to describe.  It is kind of a whining/sucking type sound.  Not a knock so I don't think it is the bearings.  It sounds kind of like a vacuum cleaner under water.  The car runs cool so I don't think it is the water pump.  Any ideas?

[Kern Dog]

Dont take this wrong, but it seems that you are all over the map here. A water pump or worn crank bearings will not make an engine die out when you put it into gear.
When you installed the distributor, did you set the air gap as per the instructions? Just like point gap, the air gap between the trigger wheel and the reluctor needs to be at a specific position. In the case of Mopars, the gap needs to be .008 and it needs to be set and measures by using a brass feeler guage. How do I know? I did it wrong before and had the same symptoms as you. Mine had slipped to .020 and while the engine would still run, it would sputter and die for no apparant reason.
If the distributor is set up right, I would then look at the fuel system. who knows...you may have some crud stuck in the carburetor, maybe your fuel filter is clogged. Over the years I have found that it is possible for problems to pop up without warning. Sometimes you change spark plugs and the engine overheats. You know that the plugs can't be to blame, right? What actually happened is that at that same time, the thermostat decided that it was time to stick closed. Stuff like this does happen.

[bluegrasscharger]

Thanks for the reply.  Yeah it could a lot of different things.  I didn't do anything to the distributor besides install it.  I'll check the air gap and see what happens.  But what about the crazy sucking/shining sound?  The water pump is pretty new and like I said it runs cool.  I guess the bearings could be bad in the water pump and is about to go.  Any ideas?

[bluegrasscharger]

Red 70 you were dead on.  I checked my air gap and it was WAY too big.  I set it to .008 and seems to be doing a lot better.  Thanks!

[bluegrasscharger]

Well I thought it was doing better.  I figured out the wierd sucking/whining sounds was the alternator. Put a new one on and the sound is gone.  The air gap on the electronic ignition was definately too big so I set it correctly.  But it is still sputtering and popping on deceleration.  Also it nearly chokes off sometimes when coming from a complete stop at a stop light. Also it starts immediately in the morning as soon as you hit the key but after running it down the road 10 minutes and then leaving it parked for a few minutes, you have to crank and crank the starter before it will start.  Once it does starts it acts like its not getting gas or is choking down because of too much gas.  I put a new fuel filter and fuel pump on and it still does it.  I am thinking carb problems. I adjusted the mixture screws correctly but it didn't fix it.  No vacuum leaks that I can find.  Maybe dirt in the carb?  Any ideas?   

[MSRacing89]

You better do some reading up on this forum my friend.  All these issues are things we have seen hundreds of times before.  Hot starting is something everyone deals with from time to time.  Plenty of remedies to help.  If you provide us with a bit more info we may be able to help.

Like I said.......do a little reading and try some things.  That is part of the fun!

Couple tips to get you started:
-check your float levels in the carb
-You said you checked timing? Well what is it!!!??....too retarded can cause popping on decel.  Sounds to me like you are getting unspent fuel in the exhaust, that will give you that sound you describe.