Reply to "Backfire and electrical symptoms"

I don't think that the two are related unless you are running on an electric fuel pump.

I will bet you a quarter that the car is low on fuel pressure and you were actually running out of gas in the carb when it backfired.

As far as the electric goes I like to do two quick checks with a multimeter.

First with the engine off and cold, measure the voltage of the battery accross the two terminals.

Then start the engine and measure it again with the engine running.

The battery should be recieving at least 13.5 volts. If it isn't, you need to determine if the alternator is producing 14.5-15 volts.

The regulator, if it is operating correctly will vary the voltage to the battery depending on how much voltage the battery already has in it. The higher the batteries voltage, the greater the resistance, the lower the voltage from the alternator.

If it isn't getting at least 13.5 volts and you have checked for corrosion on all the connectors, and you are getting 14.5-15volts from the alternator then suspect the regulator.

My experience with a Pantera is that fuel pressure can drop below 3.5psi with the original pump.
That combined with the fuel pick-up design can lead to virtual fuel starvation.

I like a two pump set up with a carbed engine. A hp mechanical fed by an electrical.