Here we go again !!

Okay ever since i've had distributor problems, my car has seem to go slower. Since I've changed the distributor, it still hasn't performed up to par. I mean, 2 mothns ago when I got my new engine(SOHC ZC) it was quick, surprisingly quick !! Now, when I accelerate it doesn't seem as if my car is accelerating fast. It sort of stops accelerating at 2500rpm and then the engine just gets louder as I step on the gas but no change in the speed/acceleration as oppose to before when I would bring it up to 5500rpm and it would accelerate nice. Can anyone give any suggestions on what the problem might be. Can it be the spark plugs? Maybe the timing, and how would I fix the timing? What else ?
Secondly, my engine seems to over heat when i've been driving for a couple of mins, but only in stop-n-go traffic. When im on the highway it's fine. Other than the thermostat, can it be anything else/would I need to replace anything else? Oh yeah, my fan doesn't work but that's never been a problem for me.

blown head gasket, will cause the non-accelerating and definetly the over heating in stop and go..... why it doesnt over heat on the highway is air flow past the radiator keeps it cool


gunnmen01

blown head gasket, will cause the non-accelerating and definetly the over heating in stop and go..... why it doesnt over heat on the highway is air flow past the radiator keeps it cool


gunnmen01

Thanks for the input. I know a lot of people who have experienced a blown head gasket but the thing is mine isnt even leaking oil or anything?
If it is the head gasket that needs to be replaced, what year head gasket would fit a ZC sohc and how much would it cost? Thanks again !

well, if it is the headgasket, you should really get your head checked for warping. How long have you been driving it with it overheating. Also, if your fan isnt working, it will over heat if your not driving around getting air through the radiator, you gotta get that fixed. But I say your best bet is to do a leakdown test.

well, if it is the headgasket, you should really get your head checked for warping. How long have you been driving it with it overheating. Also, if your fan isnt working, it will over heat if your not driving around getting air through the radiator, you gotta get that fixed. But I say your best bet is to do a leakdown test.

Well I've been driving it for about a week now. It still drives good but just not as fast. I mean, I don't really race with it cause it's my daily driver so would it be that big of a problem, how long would it last if it isn't fixed? What's a leakdown test? I park my car in my garage and their doesn't seem to be a problem with leaks. And my fan has been broken for almost a year now but this is the first time it's been overheating, so it's most likely the head gasket that's giving he over heating problems.

Did you replace the clutch when you swapped in the motor? If not, it could be shot & causing you not to accelerate even as the motor revs higher (or 'gets louder').

I agree that your head gasket could be the culprit of your overheating, but I'd start with the simple stuff first & get that fan fixed...

that sucks man. head gaskets are a bitch

fix the fan

I have a question to ask, am new to this, Please help. I am having a problem with overheating on a 88 honda accord, the head has been machined, and valve job done, and new plugs, and new fan for motor, it is still overheating what would this be?

im assuming that when you got the head machined you got a new headgasket? Another place to look is the thermostat. Some of the cheap ones you buy at the local parts store just dont work too well after a while. Check it out and if you need a new one spend a few more bucks and get one from honda. Also, air in the cooling system will cause overheating. Theres a bleeder screw you can loosen up to make sure all the air is out.

The "getting louder" part sounds like your timing may be off.

For the overheating part, have you checked your coolant levels? If your coolant is low its going to overheat, obviously. Are you smoking from the exhaust at all? And if you are does it smell sweet? Might want to try doing an oil change and look for any gray stuff in your oil, which would be coolant.

Where are you from? If anywhere in the PA area, I may be able to come give you a a hand if it is your headgasket, I did mine on my old 89 and had no problems with it.

chriscab1210 Okay ever since i've had distributor problems, my car has seem to go slower.


You said you got a new dizzy, I am almost sure your ignition timing is off. Because when my ignition timing is off the car just gets louder but has no power just like you described. Also the car gets hot real quick, I think that might be my problem right now also.

Get a timing light and hook it up, make sure the mark farthest away from the mark all by itself on the crankshaft pulley (there are 3) is lined up with the "sights" on the timing belt cover. If not you have to loosen all your bolts on the dizzy and turn it front or back untill it's lined up correctly.