So once I get my new distributor, I should still have the same problem with exaust backfiring. My 89 dodge raider with 3.0, manual 5 speed, factory LSD, and about 300,000 miles had a problem of doing multiple exaust fires and engine cutting out right before the backfires. What would cause that? I'm planning on doing cap, rotor, plugs, and wires right away. What else might I look into?

Sounds like the distributor is not timed properly. Set the engine number one cylinder to TDC using the mark on the crankshaft then check that the rotor is pointing to the number one contact post on the distributor cap. If that is good then you may have a timing belt problem.

You are most likely right. A few years ago I moved from Ca to Wa. Well the first winter here, I cracked my waterpump, and radiator. So when it was 10 degrees outside I had to replace both, and I'm thinking I jumped one tooth on the top end. It ran great but always made a un normal noise as I shut the raider off. And I just did the timing but its maxed out to the bolt to try and get close, then if I move one tooth over on the distributor, I'm maxed out the other way against the bolt. But it has ran fine like this until recently. I never bought a new belt at the time because I wasnt working so maybe the belt stretched just enough to cause this. I guess after I install my new distributor and all new tune up parts (cap,rotor,plugs,wires) and it still does this then i will have to take the front apart and time it right and get a new timing belt

How long ago was the water pump replaced? If you're going to dig in and do the belt, you will already be 90% of the way in to swap the water pump and idler pulley, may as well replace them at the same time.

I just remembered another thing, backfire usually means when the air fuel mixture explodes backwards through the intake port which definitely indicates a timing situation. An explosion in the exhaust can come from a buildup of unburned gasoline in the pipe. We used to purposely do this as kids by turning the key off for a second or two to let gasoline enter the exhaust system, then when the key was turned back on there would be a loud bang out the tail pipe, sometimes blowing off the muffler. Because you said the explosion is in the exhaust and occurs after the engine cut out, I don't think that is a true backfire, probably just unburned fuel in the system igniting. You might have a wiring problem that is causing the ignition cut out problem. Not a timing issue.

FI should not backfire through the intake, certainly not through the exhaust. After all this time, if the symptoms are both cut out and boom, I'd look more at the O2 sensor and worn out injectors.

I should replace the O2 anyway. I'm at just under 300k and have the O2 socket, just did my durango last year to get my check engine light off. I bought my O2 sensor on ebay for less than $20 so I couldn't see see the raider being much more