Backfiring carbs, sort of runs... sometimes

[2toneFatone]

I recently replaced the gaskets in the SUs on my '72 240z, put them back on exactly the way they were using several pictures. Now they are backfiring a lot and the car doesn't really want to start, but I can get it to idle (horribly) with shifting rpms, between 1200 and 500. The carbs are the only thing I touched. Could it be a timing problem? It wasn't good before, and might have gotten worse because the distributor is currently being held on with vicegrips. And whether or not it is the problem, is there anywhere that I could purchase a new clip to hold it on, instead of the whole thing? I have looked at several places, with no luck.

[SteveJ]

I recently replaced the gaskets in the SUs on my '72 240z, put them back on exactly the way they were using several pictures. Now they are backfiring a lot and the car doesn't really want to start, but I can get it to idle (horribly) with shifting rpms, between 1200 and 500. The carbs are the only thing I touched. Could it be a timing problem? It wasn't good before, and might have gotten worse because the distributor is currently being held on with vicegrips. And whether or not it is the problem, is there anywhere that I could purchase a new clip to hold it on, instead of the whole thing? I have looked at several places, with no luck.

Please take this the right way. Do you really expect your car to run decently with bailing wire and duct tape holding things together?

Exactly what gaskets did you replace?

Have you tried to adjust/balance the carbs?

Do you have any idea what your timing is set at?

What exactly broke on your distributor? Pictures would be a good idea.

Help us help you.

[beandip]

It's amazing it even runs. You need to either properly repair the Distributor or replace it . For starters. The timing must be set correctly before trying to adjust the SUs. Then the air intake must be balanced between the two carbs . Then the fuel to air mixture adjusted. Like was apply stated . holding things together with a vice grip and wire wont cut it. Not with this stuff.