Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

If you haven't already seen from my threads, I put an engine from my parts car into my main car. I finally got it running today and it didn't run too great. It sounded like it had a huge vac leak or something because if it got under 3k it would do a slow (1 cycle per sec) bounce over about 500-700 rpms. I ended up taking it out on a spin to see what would happen and it had no power at all. Under 3k it would shudder like you were starting in a high gear and you had to floor it to accelerate at all.
So I went back and did a ghetto version of the compression test - I used the piston tester but since theres no one else here tonight, I had to crank it and see what the outcome was. It was 75 on the front, and 80 on the rear. Now keep in mind that the battery was kinda low so it wasn't cranking at full speed. It has also been sitting for a while and was just started a few hours ago.
Even with those numbers it doesn't seem like it should be as gutless as it is. I mean it feels like its running on one rotor, if that. So could a huge vac leak cause it to have a total lack of power? I only have experience with small ones. Also, would doing the water trick help at all? It came out of an auto car so its probably carboned all to hell.
Anyway, it looks like I have some trouble shooting to do tomorrow. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

So I just realized that I never accurately set the timing with a gun and stuff, so I'm gonna try that tomorrow, too.

SureShot

Or maybe a clogged injector?

JBrotor

You need to test compression with the schrader valve removed and some one else cranking while you watch what each face of the rotor is reading. If the valve remains in the compression gauge it will only show the highest compression of all three rotor sides. If your guage reads low on one or more sides of the rotor then you can spuirt a small amount of trans fluid on each side of the rotor. This, in some cases of a stuck apex seal, will allow the seal to move freely again.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

ATF is the worst thing you can use.

Carb cleaner works and is generally safe (but check the can!). Oil will work if its only slightly stuck. Diesel fuel is also great at removing carbon.

But set the timing, and then drive the car a few hundred miles under varying RPM conditions. Most likely it will free up.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, I know about that. As I said, though, I was the only one here and just did that to see the basic condition. I'm going to try doing it the right way in a little bit hopefully.
As for the injectors, they were just cleaned and flowbenched, that that isn't problem.
I know about ATF (from your site ). I wasn't planning on putting anything in except as a last ditch effort. Thats why I was wondering about the water thing. But I'm just going to set the timing properly and see what happens.
Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Well, I finally got the timing pretty much set. Its not perfect, but its as close as I can get it the way its running. I also did the compression test the right way. It is about 75-80 on all faces of both rotors. Now that I've figured that out, I can pretty much determine the way its running and absolute lack of any power isn't due to low compression.
The main thing I've narrowed it down to is bad gas (not sure how much that would effect it), a vacuum leak, or something that is just totally unplugged. I'm going to do some further testing and try to get good gas in it tomorrow to rule out one possibility, and do some testing for vac leaks as well. Is there anything that could cause this if left unplugged?

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

It looks like I won't need to drain the gas after all. I've been driving it around on roads that have low traffic and no stops since it barely accelerates, and it is sucking down the gas. I basically have to floor it to sustain speed, and I can't use 5th gear cause it will slow down. I've already got it down to 1/4 tank, so I'm about to fill it up and see if that helps.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Ok, I'm afraid that my lack of power is from plain old low compression. Fresh gas didn't change anything. I'm pretty sure the vac leak is from the vac spider (I reused the lines since I didn't want to spend 100 bucks and have the motor be bad.) I don't think a vac leak would cause this low power so the only thing I can think of is low comression.
So is there anything else that could cause it to have super low power like this? Anything I could have accadentally left unplugged? Bad grounds? Anything?
I'd like to have my car to drive while I save a little for a floorsweeper rebuild, but I just can't drive this thing like it is.

full-cruise

iTrader: (5)

so hat did u end up doing. im having the same problem from letting a rebuild sit for about a year. im soaking in seafoam no to see if that will help free my seals..