Well I don't know why, but I guess I wanted to change out the knock sensor & wire just to keep the CEL off. So I tackled this "little" project this weekend. I put everything back together today & now the poor girl seems to be misfiring. It won't idle & sounds like an outboard boat motor.

Call me an idiot, but I didn't change the lower or upper manifold gaskets out. I just didn't have the money to dump another $80 into the project. Is this my problem? Could a vacuum leak down there cause such a ruckus? It almost seems like the timing is off, but I didn't mess with distributor, wires or plugs. The last time it ran like this was when I got two plug wires crossed but I've checked/rechecked them all.

Thanks for your advice!!! Later guys...

 

could be a vacuum leak. start the motor and spray all the gaskets and hoses w/ carb. cleaner. if it idles up that is where your leak is.

 

I have an uncle that mentioned that do me but the truck won't idle & I can't let it go under 1000rpm or it sputters & dies. I could probably use a brick on the pedal or a wedge on the throttle body. We'll see what happens...

 

Make sure the AFM is plugged in properly. You probably didn't mess with it as its not something you need to pull to get at the knock sensor but its worth checking.

 

may also check the air intake tubing to see if any clamps loose or cracks in hoses.

 

it doesnt have to be idling to check for a vacuum leak. I just use a mist of water instead of carb cleaner so i dont catch things on fire. Just try to hold it steady at 1k and spray the water mist around the intake manifold gaskets and vacuum hoses. Its possible that you mis routed something. good luck

 

Go ahead & start shaking your heads because I tore everything back apart & when I got to the timing belt cover I noticed that the two cam sprockets were way off from each other. I put the crank at TDC & saw that the cams were not at TDC. I got everything to TDC, put the idler pulley that's bolted to the lower manifold back on, reassembled everything, and voila! Purrs like a kitten. Then I noticed an injector leaking like a sieve.. .. oh the joys of home mechanics! Later...

 

Glad you got it figured out, but that is the exact reason I pay my friend who is a professional to fix my 22REs (85 and 87) and both of them run exceptionally well (85 is rebuilt) and the 87 has 275K on it. I just don't do engines well.