help with backfiring

I finally had my father pass down his '80 L82 which hasn't really been running in about four years due to the fact that when it was started it would spit fuel all over the place from the carb.. Today I had the chance to take the carb. off and found that the gasket where the fuel came into the carb. from the fuel line had a big split down the middle of it. I replaced it and the gasket to the manifold. My problem and questions are this: When I'm at a standstill and get on it the flame that shoots out of the carb is big enough to blow the hood off,(it has a cowl hood which lets me see under it, and I took it up the street without the filter on) also while driving at around 40mph and get on it it has the same great big ole flame shoot out and it sputters and kicks... It did that the first two or so times up the block but got better about it... Could this be that the car just needs to air itself out, a carb adjustment, a timing adjustment??? Any info would be greatly appreciated.... Tommy C.

Sounds to me like a timing adjustment is needed. It would be a good place to start anyway!

As long as the car has been sitting, it may need a carb rebuild. You may want to use a good carb cleaner in the fuel tank and drive gently for a bit and see what happens. Intake backfire can be timing, or a lean condition. This could include too much EGR when the throttle is opened.
You could also have a sticky intake or exhaust valve. A good oil change and cleaner may also be in order. Marvel Mystery Oil, Justice Brother's, etc. This would also require some driving to free things up. Do a bit more checking and let me know what you find, and I can help you track it down.

Ken Styer

thanks for the info ken...it was a timing issue...