I put a rebuilt head on my 94 pickup with a different camshaft. The lash on the valves is .006 intake and .008 for exhaust. My truck hesitates and backfires through the intake when I try to drive it. Could this problem be caused by the new camshaft? I just read the article about degreeing a cam and how stock TDC is not really TDC after installing a rebuilt head, and timing, with an old crank pulley and years of abuse. Would it help if I retarded or advanced the cam since it is brand new and different than the stock? What would be the easiest way to do this without going back to college as described in the right up. I don't think I have the time or the patience for that right now. Should I go back to the stock cam?

You might want to check that the distributer is in the correct position with respect to the no1 cyl. if you are a tooth off you can get the backfiring. Check that and also check the timing chain and make sure it is lining up where it should. Unless the cam is not for that motor or it is too radical a cam, it should run without backfiring. Performance is a different story.