Changed a dead engine on a 94 LX. Changed timing belt and balance shaft belt, water pump, etc.

Got it all in the car and it starts, but it idles lumpy and it vibrates.

Now, keeping in mind I did the timing belts properly (according to the helms manual I have), and I even got the ignition timing to line up properly.

Heres what happens, thats really odd. If I unplug number 1 injector or number 1 spark plug wire, the engines condiditon doesnt change. 4 bogs it down, 3 bogs it down, 2 sometimes bogs it down, sometimes you cant feel a difference. Number 1 always shows no change.

I have spark. Ive tested it several ways. 1 with a spark plug grounded to the valve cover. 2 with a screwdriver in the boot grounded to he valve cover. 3 with a timing light that pulses (and of course I was able to set ignition timing which is done off number 1 plug (for reference my version of number 1 is the plug closest to the timing belt itself)

Now, Ive also made my own noid light out of a resistor type LED. It pulses the same on all 4. Ive tested the injector resistor pack and circuit opening relays according to the helms manual.

Ive used a compression tester and tested and Im getting between 130 and 140 on all cylinders, so less than 10 psi variance across the board.

Ive taken a screwdriver and seated it against the injectors to listen, like an automotive stethoscope, and all 4 are clicking. Ive swapped known working number 4 with number 1. Ive even swapped injectors with the ones that came on the engine (I just reused my old fuel rail), I even swapped fuel rails, just in case.

I had my buddy come over with his 92 accord and I checked the firing order of mine, referenced against his, and confirmed per the helms its correct. I unplugged his number 1 cylinders spark plug wire and his engine starts running like crap.

Its always possible something in my timing belt is wrong, but honestly, I wouldnt think Id be able to get my ignition timing correct, spot on, with the dizzy marks close to the middle (usually if youre a tooth or so out, you have to advance or retard the hell out of it to get the ign timing set)

It feels like Ive checked everything, and everything is there, but it feels like number 1 just isnt firing. If the engine was idling smoothly I wouldnt suspect anything, but its lumpy and it shakes the car. Now, I initially thought balance shafts, but that damn number 1 just isnt changing the dynamics of the car. It honestly makes no difference whether it has fuel or spark or neither, the engine doesnt change its idle or the way it revs.

Im at my wits end with this. I just cant think of anything else.

So, go ahead and bounce ideas off me please, I need to figure this out. Its killing me. What would cause my number 1 to not seem to care whether it has fuel, spark, or neither. Honestly, the engine runs NO different with either fuel or spark removed from it.

Thanks in advance

 

I am having this same problem... Almost EXACTLY what your describing.... Did you ever find a fix?

 

EGR Valve.... fixed mine...