fire and smoke from the throttle body

[JIMLOG22]

Hello Everyone,
I bought a 1984 Lincoln Mark VII in April of 2025 and it is here in my heated garage in Toronto Canada.
It has 170,000 miles on it and it will start but it blows flame out of the throttle body.
If I let it run for a few minutes, more flame and smoke will emanate from the throttle.
Then it will cease to run and shuts down.
I had the timing done and now I am wondering if I need to replace the distributor core.
I need some input from guys who are familiar with this scenario.
Thanks
James

 

[batchman]

Carbureated or throttle-body injection, I presume? The way that happens is with ignition while intake valve(s) open. If ignition timing is correct and stable, I suspect the timing chain is stretched and/or the nylon teeth have disintegrated enough to affect valve timing. If so you may be able to quell it by retarding the timing "off book", and it could "work" for a while, but that's working on the symptoms rather than the cause. Also possible a valve is hanging open or carboned up, but the fact it shuts down leaves me thinking timing chain as it's enough of them it won't run past start-up enrichment.

But I am only a guy on the internet, YMMV!

Best,
- Jeff

 

[Action]

1984 Mark with a gas engine (Diesel was an option) had a 302 with throttle body fuel injection. There were 2 injectors in the throttle body.
I am not certain about the ignition system. EEC III or maybe EEC IV.

When you state you had the "timing done", what does that mean?
Base ignition timing set or timing chain and gears replaced?

Fire and smoke out the throttle body mean an intake valve is open when a spark plug is firing.
Replace parts because you know they are bad.
Distributor core ..... the shaft?

Action