Okay, I just got a D16Y8 Head put on my D15B7 block. Runs good and strong at first right, although I didn't really push it to see how well it ran. Reason for this is because the guy that installed the head for me also put on my new headers, only he didn't connect the downpipe to the cat converter. He said it wouldn't reach because it was an inch shy(read somewhere else that it'd be okay just to use the bolts to pull the two pipes together). Anyway, I started my car after I got off work and it sounded like it was about to die and kept stuttering constantly. Took like 3 key turns to get it to start anyway, then when I pushed the gas in the engine just went dead. I figured maybe the spark plugs were configured wrong at first, but then my car wouldn't have been able to idle at all, so that idea just kinda left without any purpose. My next guess would be that the downpipe is being choked by the cat converter because the way they are set right now the cat converters bolt plate is going across the mouth of the downpipe. Just wondering if that might be causing my car to act like it's got the flu.

Thanks for your time.

Peace,
Zack

Edit - Oh yeah, forgot to mention, when I really push in on the gas and manage to get the engine to rev it stutters until it hits like 2.5 rpms and then it runs really strong. Kind of like something is holding it back until it gets enough hp to force whatever it is out of the way. :] Which is another reason I think it's the downpipe getting blocked.

 

sounds like a timing problem to me maybe get a timing like on it, or bring it back to that ******* an make him fix it

 

Nah, checked the timing already. It's all good. Went through and checked everything I thought could cause it. It only did it this morning when the engine was cold and hadn't been run for a while. After it gets pretty warm it doesn't do it anymore. Took it back and the guy said it's because the exhaust flow isn't steady like it should be(the downpipe not being connected) and that if I bring it back in a day or two he'll put it on the lift and fix it.

Also have another problem, like... my engine rattles. Originally I thought it was the valves being loose or something, adjusted them... didn't really change anything, the rattling wasn't as bad but it was still pretty annoying. Later on as I drove it got worse and worse. Dude said when he took off the old head one of the valves had been hitting the cylinder head on the 4th cylinder. Just wondering if maybe the rattling might be the piston rings or maybe a loose rod?

Edit - I also thought it might be the clutch plate or something going bad, because the guy showed me a clutch that was burnt up and said whenever he had the car on(with the bad clutch) that it sounded like 3 of the rods were about to go. The clutch plate on it had shattered from getting too hot and the throwout bearing(i think that's what it's called) was on backwards supposedly. Just wondering if maybe having the clutch for 14 years might've just gotten it worn down bad. I really don't know what's making that rattling sound.

 

Almost sounds like you skipped a tooth on the timing belt... that thing on tight?

 

some things to check for.

proper engine&tranny ground.

fuel pump is priming during 'on' possition before start, listen to a short humming sound coming from the back(happens to me often).

check firing order is correct.

make sure your not near empty on the fuel tank.

and like the guy above said. it sounds like you skipped a tooth or two on the timing belt.

make sure the distributor rotor isnt installed up side down.(i've done that before... idiot)

good luck, im Not guarenteeing checking these will make it work normal. but just make sure at least these easy trouble shooting probs are at least met.

 

Okay, thanks for the help.