swapped 92 ka for a 95 ka, now it dont run right. help?

[fosterchild]

to start, my 92 ka had 180k on it, it started ticking, the next day it started knocking, and finally something broke, and the motor did not want to run. i figured it was something with the short block. so i found a newer motor from a 95 for cheap and i picked it up. so i pulled my motor, stripped it down to the block. and swapped the head and everything else onto the newer block. i did everything by the book. making sure everything went on the way it came off. and yes the motor was at TDC when everything was done. anyway, im all finished puting the new motor in and i threw some pacesetter headers on while i was at it, but now i cant seem to get it to run on its own, which is making it very difficult to adjust the timing. the motor idles very rough at low rpms, and wants to keep stalling. but sounds fine when revved above 1500 rpms. where did i go wrong? i am running open headers, would that contribute? ive also replaced the plugs, cap and rotor. this is my first time swaping motors. and the fact that it is running at all is awesome. any help with this would be appriciated.

[S13DrIfTmEkAnIcS]

vacuum is critical to KA's check all the lines

[StuntingShaggy]

Yeah check your vacuum lines and use a timing light to get your timing exactly right. Get a service manual to set the timing at exactly what amount of degrees you need.

I'm having the same problems right now. I did the same thing. Transferred everything from my blown KA to a new one and now it won't even stay on if I don't hit the gas. Plus I have coolant getting in my oil, so that's another problem.

Anyway, as I said, sort out your vacuum lines and time it right and it should run like a charm. One of the most important vacuum lines comes out of the lower part of the intake manifold next to one of the golden emissions units. Check that one especially. The rest aren't too critical.

[fosterchild]

right on. umm now i tried to pressurize the lines just now, and i heard a lil hissing. then a line on the back of the head popped off. i put it back on, thinking maybe that was it. pressurized the lines again. and no sound. cool. started the engine up and it does the same thing. it runs at like two g's and tries to go back to idle and then wants to stall. wont stay running unless i help. it seems when the engine is running it does sound like its sucking air somewhere near the back passanger side of the engine. but i cant pin point exactly where. i will continue to search but im becoming ever more frustrated with it!!!! and as far as the timing goes, i cant adjusst the timing until i get it to idle at 700 rpm, so first thing i have to do is find this elusive lil leak or what ever it is.

bud if you have coolant in the oil, your head gasket may be bad.

[dkdeleon68]

sounds like your dissy is out of time.

[eazye2000]

As far as that extra hissing coming from the back passenger side.... Did you open your throttle body when you did that vaccuum leak test? Maybe your Idle Air Control valve has something fishy going on with it...? Fuel Pressure Regulator hose? Brake Booster Hose? I don't know. Just throwing some stuff out there just in case.

[bige240]

Doesn't the 95 have 2 o2 sensors and the 92 only has one? could be a problem switching between obd1 and obd2 cars...

[fosterchild]

nada, i removed the two vac lines going to the intake . plugged the larger one. and pressurized the smaller one.

[fosterchild]

i appreciate everybodys help with this. i found the problem. it was a leak. my dumb a$$ didnt hook the line up to the pcv valve. after i did, my baby purred like a kitten. so sexy!!! actually it roared like a lion. sounds like a camaro with open headers. anyway, it did get really hot, so tomorrow i will replace the thermostat, and adjust the timing. i think it is way advanced. wish me luck, and thanks again.