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My former ranger was doing similar to that and it was the fuel reg. Pop the line off that goes to your brake vacume booster and sniff for gasoline, if the diaphram in the reg fails it let gas backfeed and can even hydrolock the engine. If its bad and pumped gas in your vac booster replace that too as it has a rubber diaphram also. Let us know what you find and welcome.
I'm leaning toward bad timing, as in jumped timing. The 'shaking like a leaf on a windy day' makes me think that when the PO did the heads, he didn't line up the timing marks correctly or didn't tighten something correctly and the timing is whacked now.
Welcome abord, Chris tell!
edit: sorry, forgot to add this: To check timing you'll need a tach and timing light. Follow the directions (disconnect this, turn on that) on what to do to check it properly.
Sounds like it's not running on all cylinders to me.
And popping from the exhaust on decel is going to be from a lean condition, not lack of 'back pressure'. Back pressure is not a good thing and you want the least amount possible, but that's a whole 'nother subject...
I would start by checking the firing order. Make sure the right plug wires are on the right plugs. Here is a picture:
If the firing order is correct, I would pull the distributor cap and plugs, and check them all. By reading the plugs you can determine which cylinder(s) is not firing.
If the compression checks out, then the problem can only be in two other areas. Spark and Fuel. (Unless of course, the timing chain has jumped a tooth or someone didn't put it in the right spot)
Lack of Spark, or incorrectly timed spark can cause a misfire. I would check the timing, and make sure we have spark on every cylinder.
Lack of fuel can cause a misfire, I would check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail.
Welcome to the addiction, some good guys and gals here lots of info and friends to behold. I would start simple. When was the last time it had a complete tune up. plugs, wires, cap. rotor, oil, and filters ( fuel, air, and oil ). If it is the the timing and the guage is missing i'd take it to a garage you trust and have them check the timing for you. Exspecially if you don't own a timing light cause although you can rent most tools from a auto parts store they don't loan out timing lights.
you should be able to to a junk yqard to get a new gauge
jayfx4 does he lives in dearbourne.
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