Looks like some “custom” work there….
The pancake thingy is just the air cleaner lid. It’s held down by, well you know.
The “foil” is also custom, lol.
The popping is backfiring. Tape ain’t gonna help that….
Backfiring can be caused by several different things. But focus on what changed since before , assuming it wasn’t backfiring then.
Potential causes:
Poor vacuum or cracked broken disconnected vacuum lines (any of them).
Carb out of adjustment/accelerator pump worn out.
Mis adjusted timing.
Worn distributor components.
Firing order or spark plug wires out of order.
PS you’d maybe have better luck asking about a Chevy small block on a site that’s more engine related than this one. Your issues have nothing to do with the fact that it’s a RV.
Good luck.
