No lowend power after rebuild

ATM_14 · #1 03-01-2006, 01:47 AM

Alright. So I got this '90 Civic EX from my neighbor with a blown head gasget. OK, no prob. Statred tearing it down, ended up having 3 cracked valves, 1 messed up piston, the rocker arm was warped, and the thrust bearings were worn flat on the crank. So, I did a full rebuild. Nothing special. Cleaned the whole damn thing, reboared the cylinders, put in basic oversized, rebuilt the head (actually had a pro do it, friend of mine) and in the end put it all back together. Just for info, all filters and hoses replaced. Started it up last week, sounds great! But, I have no lowend power. When I start going I need to rev it up to like 2800rpm or is just sputters on me. Same on hills, I'll be turning 3500 but it just drops as I go till I downshift and hold it over 4k. What kinda problem am i looking at?

Hybrid1990crx · #2 03-01-2006, 07:24 AM

sounds like a valve timing issue.

sblkcamaro70 · #3 03-01-2006, 04:14 PM

yeah sounds like a timing issue

FrodoGT · #4 03-01-2006, 04:34 PM

Just for my own piece of mind...this would mean his valves were not closing at the correct time and hes losing compression right? I know alot, and I've built engines...but mine come out right the first time! So this would be new to me as well.

ATM_14 · #5 03-01-2006, 06:47 PM

OK, just fyi this is my first real rebuild that I've done. I know what you mean by timing but where should I look first to correct the problem? Would it be the timing belt is not on correctly or maybe the distributor isn't in the proper orientating w/ the cam.....where's a good place to start?

civic_boy91 · #6 03-01-2006, 07:59 PM

check the timing marks on the crank pully and the cam gear...line up the crank with the TDC mark than make sure the cam gear marks are lined up with the cam TDC marks.

Hybrid1990crx · #7 03-01-2006, 09:48 PM

what stupid said. ^^^^

superbluecivicsi · #8 03-01-2006, 11:23 PM

whats the leakdown readings?

ATM_14 · #9 03-02-2006, 01:26 AM

Hey, thanks for all the help so far. OK, so I took a look at the timing belt, the crank has an obvious mark where it lines up to, and the cam should be pointing strainght up. If this all sounds right, then they are all alighned properly. Another question I had concens the sparks. I got a d16a6 and the specs say the sparks should be gapped at .042mm. The ones I got were gapped at .044. Is it worth gapping them to the spec. of will .002 no affect it?

And what is leakdown??

civic_boy91 · #10 03-02-2006, 02:36 PM

.002 ... that wont effect it.
check ignition timing with a light...
for a stock si...its like 16-18 advanced....i think

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