Q: Nonstop backfiring

Backfiring occurs when the air fuel charge in a cylinder(s) fires at the wrong moment often when the exhaust valve is opening. There are backfires into the intake manifold, too, however. If during your work on the engine you moved the distributor, yes, you could have altered the engine timing. However, merely turning the crankshaft, using the harmonic balancer bolt only, clockwise is harmless. The possibility of the ignition timing being off is easy to check with a timing light...just check the basic ignition timing at idle and check the advance function, too.

It is possible that the distributor cap is cracked and/or the plug wires have carbon tracking. In working on the engine, you may have sort of "tipped the balance" on already old, failing parts and set the stage for this backfiring you are getting. Backfiring is also possible is the fuel to air ratio is too high (rich); that means there is too much fuel to create an explosive, fast-burning flame. When too much fuel, the fuel burns slower, and isn’t complete before the exhaust part of the engine cycle. When the exhaust valve opens on the affected cylinder(s), the extra air allows the unburned fuel to explosively burn and the popping noise of a backfire is heard. Check for a dirty air filter by the way which can cause too little airflow. A certified Mechanic can be dispatched to determine the causes of the backfiring in your engine.