# 1984 Ford Mustang - popping **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford\ **Created:** [August 19, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242 "2018-08-19T17:41:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gardin30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@Gardin30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Gardin30)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/1 "2018-08-19T17:41:31Z")
I have a light tapping noise coming from the back of the motor the motor has a 4 barrel carburetor what can I do to fix this issue. It’s a 5 speed manual transmission 74k on dash ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/2 "2018-08-19T17:47:21Z")
Well first you need to find out what is making the noise before you decide how to fix it. Knocking is never good and usually means the engine is about to break/seize/blow up requiring complete replacement. If you don’t like that answer, we’ll need much more information. What engine? 302 V8? How many miles? What transmission? Does the knocking get faster with higher engine rpm? Does it happen all the time? Or just whet hot? Heavy knocking - think 3 lb sledge hammer against a rock, or tapping? What oil pressure does the car show at idle? At 2000 rpm? Answer all these questions and we’ll try and give you a more precise answer. ---
**Author:** ![Gardin30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@Gardin30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Gardin30)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/3 "2018-08-19T18:03:17Z")
It’s a 5 speed manual transmission 74k on dash can’t get it to start anymore ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/5 "2018-08-20T14:24:27Z")
> [@Gardin30](#): > > can’t get it to start anymore What happens when you turn the ignition key? Does it crank, but not start? or Do you hear no sounds at all? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/6 "2018-08-20T15:53:58Z")
> [@Gardin30](#): > > can’t get it to start anymore Since you didn’t answer any of my questions, the only answer I can give you is the engine is locked up and needs to be replaced. Good Luck ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/7 "2018-08-20T18:19:25Z")
Could be the flux capacitor needs calibration…😄 ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/8 "2018-08-21T21:51:14Z")
And if calibrating the flux capacitor doesn’t fix it check for seized muffler bearings ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/9 "2018-08-21T22:08:03Z")
Forgot to add that if you want some serious answers you need to answer @Mustangmans questions ---
**Author:** ![Gardin30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@Gardin30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Gardin30)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/10 "2018-08-23T21:13:25Z")
Yea it cranks but doesn’t start ---
**Author:** ![Gardin30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@Gardin30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Gardin30)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/11 "2018-10-30T00:48:13Z")
It cranks but won’t start I replaced the distributor but I’m getting the same problem what can it be ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/12 "2018-10-30T01:03:43Z")
Have you checked for a worn/jumped timing chain? Tester ---
**Author:** ![Gardin30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@Gardin30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Gardin30)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2018, 5:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/13 "2018-10-30T05:55:24Z")
No but I will check it out ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2018, 11:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1984-ford-mustang-popping/123242/14 "2018-10-30T11:05:43Z")
Curious, why did you replace the distributor? After following Testor’s advice and if timing chain is okay, you need to be sure the distributor is correctly orientated. After all this, then you need to go back to your original problem which has multiple possibilities from a simple dry/collapsed lifter to engine having swallowed a valve. A compression test may help you there. Could a rod or wrist pin. If you really like the car and have really, really big buck you can pull that tired old 302 and drop in a Coyote.