1991 22re 4wd. So, did a top end rebuild, after some shenanigans I got it working well, for 3-4 days it ran smooth, but lacked power. Yesterday, after doing a coolant flush, engine noise increased to clamorous, at first intermittently, now constantly with sputters, with very little power.

-blink codes show no code; just rapid regular blinking (about 2 a second)
-spark plugs, wires, dist cap and rotor are new, there is positive spark to each plug, some lite, white soot on them, very minimal
-new belts, nice and tight
-valves were adjusted to spec, using TDC
-compression isn't great, but not horrible
-new knock sensor, wire has no short
-new oil filter and oil
-new gas filter
-timing is set to 12 without the e1-te1 jump, and retards to 5 with the jump
-no noticeable smoke from the tailpipe
-no engine surge
-the coolant was oil-free when drained
-oil is not milky

Any ideas besides setting it ablaze?