ok so I have a problem that started out small and it acted like the timing was off as it would turn off slightly after I turned off the key. Within the last couple days it has started really shuttering like tonight the engine shuttered really hard a couple seconds and then let out a real big hiss.

Anyone have experience with this? Is my engine crapping out? This engine has only 12,000 on a rebuild and I dont want or even have the money to fix a big issue right now.

Oh this is an 87 suzuki samurai with a stock 1.3 engine, stock carb, short ram air intake, thorley header and 2"exhaust from the cat back with an aero turbine muffler.

Kinda sounds like timing belt slop or distributor gear wear. Might be worth checking there before buying anything.

It's called "dieseling" and it's common in carb'd engines.  It means that the engine continues to run after the ignition is turned off.

It can be caused by: excess carbon build up, lean/rich running, hot spots in the chamber, carb not closing completely, wrong spark plugs (too hot), wrong timing, or a hot running engine.

Run some seafoam through the vacuum line off the brake booster per the seafoam instructions.  If that doesn't solve it, start digging.

Timing chain slop?  This engine has a belt driven cam that should be under tension if properly installed - kind of like a big rubber band with teeth - shouldn't be any slop there.

The stock carburettor should have a fuel cut (or anti-diesel) solenoid that closes the idle circuit to prevent this - I've seen some folks remove that solenoid if/when it fails and simply plug the hole with a bolt.

timing chains and BELTS can wear and jump time or get sloppy. and no there shouldn't be any issues but it does happen. (I just had fixed the wifes tdi beetle that jumped time on one of those big rubber bands with teeth.