I have a 1994 Dodge Van with a 5.2L engine. As engine warms up it will spit and sputter and backfire

1. Check the wear in the oil pump drive gear bushing by removing the distributor cap and check how much the rotor will turn back and forth. Maximum allowable is 3/16 inch at the tip.

2. If more than that, replace the bushing in the block and replace the distributor drive gear. Then set distributor synchronization.

3. To set synchronization, with the key off, rotate the engine until the TDC mark is aligned with the pointer on the front cover. Then rotate the engine an additional 147 degrees until the V6 mark on the damper aligns with the pointer on the front cover. Then loosen the hold down bolt on the distributor, connect a Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) to the Tan/Yellow (TN/YL) wire at the distributor pick-up, and rotate the distributor back and forth across the switching point of the pick-up plate. The DVOM should toggle 0.0 to 5.0 volts as the distributor crosses the switching point. Zero in on the switching point and tighten the hold down bolt for the distributor.
Potential Causes:
Worn Distributor Drive Gear
Mis-Adjusted Distributor Sync
Worn Oil Pump Drive Gear Bushing
Tech Tips:
Turning the distributor does not alter ignition timing but it does need to be in synchronization. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) needs to see the Cam Position (CMP) sensor signal come at the expected time in relation to the Crank Position (CKP) sensor.