1978 Dodge 440: Gas has funny smell, Backfiring, etc

BelleStarr71 wrote:
Thanks yall. we tried the starter fluid and it tried to start. then poured good gas in carb. it started for a few seconds each time. i belive it is a clogged fuel line. going to replace and clean it all up.

Change the fuel filter and that may be all you have to do since it appears the ignition is OK.

Thanks yall. we tried the starter fluid and it tried to start. then poured good gas in carb. it started for a few seconds each time. i belive it is a clogged fuel line. going to replace and clean it all up.

Maybe they put fresh gas in it and it has been running fine. It sounded like a wife looking for info to help her husband. Who knows.

have heard in the past that bad gas can cause backfire in older engines.

The last year Mopar used points was 1974... This is a 1978 and has first generation electronic ignition...

It's only been 24 hours.

I sort of get the feeling that someone that is a "New member, i.e. first post" are the most likely to never provide follow up. I hope this person has the class to provide some follow up

Hmmm- another "Ask and Dash?"

Any updates??

I had this same problem before, and it was water in the gas. Shortly after I filled up, the truck started backfiring, and shooting flames out of the exhaust.

The ballast resister is in the circuit to drop the voltage from the battery voltage of 12 volts to 9 volts. That is why it burns up the points when you jumper the ballast resistor.It can cause the engine to no start if the circuit is open and the points have no voltage.

As a member of the ancient motorhome owners group...
Yes, I bet the fuel in the tank(s) has gone bad. If you can't get the tanks emptied and refilled, it might be possible to rig a temporary fuel supply to get the rig home.

While that alone may be your current problem, be ready, if they have not been replaced in any recent decade, any rubber part is likely to be a problem. The most apparent of these will be the fuel lines that were never intended to put up with the stuff they sell as motorfuel these days. But, the most important to watch will be the rubber brake lines. These can fail lots of way and some don't show. The brake fluid should be flushed even if you don't change out the rubber lines.

Matt