boost loss and limited revs

[jaykaybridges]

what should i check first if my car has only about half boost and i cant rev it past about 3200 rpm? i just changed the head gasket and its a 1988 daytona TII. What might i have overlooked in putting it back together?

[docta J]

i think my car is having the same problems

[jaykaybridges]

update: i drove the car about 10 miles like this and the spark plugs are completely black now, they were brand new plugs.

[Darkside]

Check all the vacuum lines and make sure that they are attached and in the right places. I had one blow off on the top of the engine and it was to the map sensor and I lost all boost and had no power. Where the line was pluged into had became brittle over time and just broke. The next thigs to check is the cam and distributor timing. I hope this helps.

[jaykaybridges]

i think it is the cam timing, but i will have to take it somewhere to check this as i do not have the equipment to check the timing. i just want to see if anyone knows if cam timing could cause the rpm's to stay at 2500 at WOT, spark plugs to be fouled after 10 miles, and i only get about 6-7 lbs of boost as opposed to 14 before i changed the head gasket and muffed something up. thanks everyone in advance for your productive input.

[docta J]

just fixed mine today! it was the distributor. under the distributor cap is a little platform like thing, and to the right is a bolt. loosen the bolt and move the platform piece accordingly. BE CAREFUL THOUGH!! let your car idle and turn the distributor a little at a time. drive it for a little, and turn it again if its not running right. your car might have multiple problems, such being this and the map sensor like Darkside said. try it and if it doesnt work, get back on here. good luck!

[jaykaybridges]

i am having someone check the timing tomorrow, i am pretty sure the cam timing is off a little. thats the only thing i messed with in the HG replacement, not the cam shaft but the timing belt. everything was fine before i got to it, so we'll see, i'll post the results sometime tomorrow or sunday, thanks everyone.

[Sittn86]

Cam timing is easy. Search for the diagram on here; it's been posted 7,973 times. As for ignition timing, go get a $30 timing light........

[TurboI]

Make sure you did not kink the vacuum line to the MAP sensor and make sure it is attached to the right side of the solenoid.

[jaykaybridges]

i am a student so 30 extra dollars might as well be 1,000,000. and as soon as i get the car back i will recheck all the vacuum lines, i didn't undo any at the solenoids, the only one i didn't have hooked up was the one to the waste gate, but it made no difference. the guy didn't get a chance last weekend to look at it so hopefully he finds 15 spare minutes to check it this weekend. everything worked perfectly before i changed the HG so the only thing it should be is the cam timing (knocking on wood) thanks for everyone's input, i will definitely update when i know more.

[jaykaybridges]

i got my TD back today, i told the guy i took it to it might be the cam timing and to check that first. and guess what, it was the cam timing. so for anyone having a similar problem, CHECK THE TIMING. my power and 12lbs of boost are back, yay! thanks to everyone for your help, oh and he only charged me 50 bucks, so i hope nothing goes wrong for atleast another month or so.

[mmtphoto]

while the temptation may be great, DO NOT BEAT ON YOUR ENGINE untll you've had a chance to check out everything. And, the black plugs mean you have LOTS of carbon in the intake and exhaust (cat?)so you might want to do the seafoam thing acouple of times to get it cleaned out. Glad you got it going again, be nice to it while you make certain vacuum lines are good, oil is freah, coolant is new and thermostat is good, stuff like regular maintenance is caught up.

[jaykaybridges]

for sure, i changed the oil yesterday as soon as i got back home and had already replaced the coolant after i got it back together, i also replaced upper rad hose, thermostat, the oil feed line and the coolant return line, the guy that reset the timing checked all the vac lines as well, i am going to buy some new plugs today on the way to school. later

[turbomini]

lol did you plug in the TPS? i know its sounds stupid but that one got me the other day...