Car wont fire up, just an occasional pop!

This may be caused on by a broken mass airflow sensor or a blocked engine air filter "choking" the engine and preventing it from getting enough oxygen. Or, it might be brought on by faulty fuel injectors overpressurizing the engine with fuel. If you like to fixx the issue professitionally visit https://norlanetyreservice.com.au/. Also their team will come to you or at your place

The light and the word stop should be sending you a clear message . The engine hard starting and sluggish is also sending a message and if you do not heed the message and have the fault codes read and the problem fixed then the next message may be replace the engine or gear box . The light is there --not to be an annoyance ---but to inform you that something drastic is going wrong and it needs urgent attention.

Back off on all the rocker arms and check to make sure you didn't bend any push rods then make sure you are starting on #1 Cylinder and readjust, when it starts you can finish the adjustment by backing off rocker arm nut till you here it TICK than tightentill TICK IS GONE. I do not have info on the fireing order for primary adjustment but you should be able to find on line complete instructions, Go to ASK.COM and ask for Chev 350 Valve Adjustment their are several to choose from and even YOUTUBE Videos on it.

was the timing belt broken?

Are you sure the cams are aligned correctly?

If the belt was broken It may be wise to do a compression test. This should tell you if a valve has bent.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

You are probably off a tooth or two on the timing belt

your choke adjustment or cold start are not working to bring it to high idle cold start.
mike

Hi : Mr bnwelter how are you
im very glad to help you

When an engine turns over but will not start you must start at
the beginning. You have battery and now you need fuel, spark, and compression. Many things can effect the lack of these things but there is many different things that could go wrong in these systems. Check each one individually.
FUEL, SPARK , COMPRESSION only three things needed for an internal combustion engine.
You may also want to make sure your distributer isn't 180 out.
Was there a new timing chain installed? If so, there is a chance that the timing marks aren't lined up correctly, or they were set with the #6 cylinder at TDC and not the #1 cylinder.
One senario, If your running a Holley carb, Chances are your cam is real high in compression (modified cam) and holleys come stock with the standard 6.5 Power valve. you change that out to a 3.5 and the back firing will cease. Had this same problem with a new 454, sounds so familiar.. Your story is just like my quest, turns out to be a 8.00 part..
How are your valves adjusted too tight and it will back fire and not start, adjust to 0 lash then half turn

accepted greetings
we wish you success in solving that problem Mr bnwelter

Adjust the valves when the lifter is on the base circle of a camshaft lobe:

1. Crank the engine until the mark on the crankshaft pulley lines up with the O mark on the timing tab. Make sure that the engine is in the No. 1 firing position. Place your fingers on the No. 1 rocker arms as the mark on the crank pulley comes near the O mark. If the valves are not moving, the engine is in the No. 1 firing position. If the valves move, the engine is in the No. 4 firing position; rotate the engine one complete revolution and it will be in the No. 1 position.
2. When the engine is in the No. 1 firing position, adjust the following valves: Exhaust - 1,3 Intake - 1,2
3. Back the adjusting nut out until lash can be felt at the pushrod, then turn the nut until all lash is removed (this can be determined by rotating the pushrod while turning the adjusting nut). When all lash has been removed, turn the nut in 1 1 / 2 additional turns, this will center the lifter plunger.
4. Crank the engine one complete revolution until the timing tab and the O mark are again in alignment. Now the engine is in the No. 4 firing position. Adjust the following valves: Exhaust - 2,4 Intake - 3,4

The timing belt has jumped a tooth, you must d a compression test, then get a repair manual to check if the mechanical timing is of indicating a jumped tooth on the timing belt.

well the first thing to check will be to make sure that the valves are adjusted properlyto me it sounds that the valves are not set right can you briefly explain whow you adjusted the valves in your engine?