It only acts right at high rpms. Low rpms (3500 below) it gurgles and pops until I get over 3500. Does this in every gear n I don't even bother with 5th. 4th at 4500 rpms and 70 mph is all I can do. Hate being over the 3500 mark but its what I have to do.

 

More info is needed. How long has it been doing this? Did it start all of a sudden or did it slowly develop? Any repairs lately? How many miles are on the engine? Does the exhaust smell normal? Power loss? Details please

 

It started doing this a few weeks ago. Then the plug for the o2 sensor came loose and melted. Replaced it and if seemed fine just the low idle. Even got good mpg. Then the rear u-joint went out. Replaced it and it started this again. Replaced the tps Sunday and it didn't make a change. It's got around 194k and I know it was treated poorly before I got it at 162k.

 

Is it throwing any codes? Check engine light?
Loss of power? Hesitation?

 

No codes. Big loss of power and it does hesitate to a point. In first I can floor it and only get to mabe 10 mph.

 

I highly suggest you stop driving it in this condition. Are you able to diagnose this yourself(with our help) and repair it or do you plan to take it to a shop?

 

Distributor coil failure. I would also suggest a new timing belt too, its probably ready to catastrophic on you.

 

It's all I got right now. All I can fix is easy stuff so it's not down during the week.

 

I was also leaning towards a timing issue.

Get a timing light on it and see what it shows.

 

I myself don't have a timing light but I may can get one.

 

Before taking it to higher level, could this just be vacuum leak or bad knock sensor as well?

 

A knock sensor will throw a code. Vacuum leaks are possible. Check for those too.

 

If that's it knock is easy. Vacuum leak would be tough.

 

Could it just be the tps? I wasn't able to set it what so ever since I didn't have the tools.

 

start with the easy stuff first. check your timing first. that's quick and easy. see if the timing is right then see if it is jumping around a lot. clean the timing indicator and mark both the crank and the indicator before you start. its hard to guess at it do the nature of this engine. could be a weak fuel pump, bad or out of range tps, vacuum leak, stuck dash pot or the engine ecu. the timing belt could be stretched, there is a number of things. post your findings on the timing and well go from there
good luck

 

Update on what it's doing. It will run normally for most of my trip to work and home. High rpms are normal. But I let off the clutch n put the rpms around 1500 and it will flutter up and down.

 

As others have said, start simple. When was its last service (fuel filter, plugs, leads, dizzy cap/points checked, timing checked, valve clearance adjusted) is it only at low rpm that it struggles? It could be a vac issue as some of the vac system doesnt come into play until 2500-3500rpm...have fun tracking that down. Could also be electrical, meaning that the alternator isnt producing enough output til it reaches a higher rpm. Id also be inclined to suggest a faulty fuel pump if its a mechanically driven pump (not sure on ur specific model, but im guessing its electric). Any fault codes? Any parts changed or work done recently?

 

At low rpm (below 3500) it acts like it isn't getting enough fuel. At high rpm it runs normal.

 

what shape is the cat in? start simple and don't over think this

 

It's the only piece of the exhaust left after the o2 sensor.