Is a backfire bad?

Friday when I left the office I cranked Nixon up and he backfired out the exhaust pipe really loud with two big puffs of black smoke.

It cranked right up and ran fine but this was the first time it's ever backfired.

Is this significant of something? I didn't drive him all weekend so I don't know yet if it's something that's continually happening or if it's a one time thing.

 

If that's come on all of a sudden, I'd suggest inspecting the cap and rotor. If the cap comes loose or the rotor cracks/breakes from the dist. shaft, you will get ka-plooeys out the pipes at odd times. Heck check plugs, coil, timing while you're at it. HTH.

 

I was thinking maybe the same thing Hippo.

I'm no mechanic but it seems like I'd heard that before.

Honestly I don't know if it's going to be a recurring thing since it's only happened that one time.

The engine didn't even turn over twice before it Ka-plooey'd big with a big puff of black smoke.