Alright, I replaced the points and it didn't help the problem at all. I forgot to mention that the engine accelerates extremely slow and the popping gets worse the further I push the gas pedal down, if I let it slowly get up to speed it doesn't pop at all.
Hmmmm... I know you replaced your fuel filter and fuel pump, but what kind of fuel delivery are you getting up at the carb? Aside from how you describe the sound, some of these symptoms look like possible fuel starvation. It is possible that your fuel pump pickup sock is clogged- have you looked at your fuel delivery? Not just psi, but volume of fuel being pumped. If you can accelerate without popping by proceeding very slowly, then you may be experiencing a lean condition on full throttle due to fuel delivery problems. I replaced everything in the fuel system only to find that the problem was in the tank....
This sounds like an exhaust lobe going away or almost gone, or some other exhaust valve actuation problem. "Popping" from an exhaust lobe/valve actuation problem sounds different than the popping from a leaking intake valve, misfire or lean condition. The fact it increases under load is another clue. I'm assuming the popping is steady and consistant at all times? Unfortunately, over the internet, a trained ear won't be of any help.
I know if I let my gas get too low it starts pulling all the crap from the bottom of the tank through the lines and clogs everything up, but as long as I keep the gas above half a tank it doesn't give me any problems. (I'm actually planning on replacing the tank next weekend) What do I need to test the psi and volume of the fuel delivery? I'll try making a video later today and see if the noise can be heard on the video.
Alright, I uploaded a video but I can't link it because my post count isn't high enough, I'll pm it to you.
Your problem could be as simple as a leaky carburetor to intake gasket causing a vacuum leak, and lean condition. put a vacuum gauge on it and tell us what it reads, fully warmed up, in Park.
Here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQy8PRZjYrU It's hard to hear the popping noise, but it kicks in at about 0:05.
I would buy a vacuum gauge (they are cheap), and verify that you have no vacuum leaks. If the engine is healthy and running correctly, it will pull about 20" of vacuum fully warm in Park. I'd also look at engine ignition timing. Have you ever played with the timing? Is the vacuum advance functional?
Yes I've messed with the timing a lot actually, the more I advance the timing the quieter the popping noise is.
Read my timing thread, http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=63475 Total timing your engine to 32* will make a HUGE difference in performance.
I got your PM, but you got the link posted before I opened it... Okay, it is very hard to distinguish the popping sound, but I did hear it above the exhaust sound, for just a moment. It almost sounds like an exhaust leak, but I cannot be sure.... this is a tough one!
Did you change the coil to a different one to make sure that was not the problem? You do need to get a vacuum gauge to see if the engine is running correctly. If you do Larry's timing set up this should get the distributor and timing running right. I do not think it is fuel related. The vacuum gauge usually can read fuel pressure also so the gauge is two gauges in one. Sears has a nice one.
The "popping" you are refering to..............is it coming from the exhaust? For some reason I was assuming it was from the intake. If so, it may be nothing more than the sum total of the type exhaust: single/dual, pipe length, headers or manifolds, muffler(s)/type, exhaust leak(s) and/or where those leak(s) might becoming from. The fact that cylinders 8 and 4 exhaust one after the other on the right bank and 7 and 5 on the left bank set up an amplified pressure wave that under certain conditions (like I mentioned above) or variable conditions may sound like a popping sound. I really didn't hear anything unusual in your video. Does the engine run smoothly? Does it idle smoothly? It could be something as simple as a slight exhaust leak from one of the manifold flanges or a cracked exhaust manifold, which would tend to increase in volume with increased load.
i am with a bad cam the old Chevys had cam problems in the 70s and 80s the quickest wayto check was a snap excell and she woud pop pop pop through the carb
