We tore down the accessory drive, hoping to find the cam and crank off of alignment and the dots matched up perfectly, all the way down to the timing chain, and it was set correctly.

So now we begin to re-assemble the front of the motor...with no general direction to head in after this.

We originally tore down the front of the motor because of a backfire into the intake...but we have eliminated that as a problem - and once we get it buttoned back up - what else could cause such a problem? These are violent backfires and the car doesnt idle with the mass air meter connected. MAF Wiring problem? I was considering re-doing the MAF conversion that ive already spent 500$ in labor on..but what the heck - its worth a shot.