16v tuning and timing questions...sort of long

["S.Coleman" <deadbolt@mindspring.com>]

OK guys and gals,...here is the scoop.  I bolted a newly freshened up head
on my car last week.   Here is the problem.  If the car is just sitting in
the driveway running,...as soon as the rpms get to about 3800-4000rpms.... I
get some hesitation,... sometimes a metallic "tanq" noise too.   Just one
little "knock",.... almost like someone threw  a stone and hit a metal
object.  (not a solid metal object,... kind of what you'd expect from
hitting an exhaust pipe or something.......hollow metal I guess)
Anyhoo,....under load , (when the car is going down the road), the car runs
Ok for the most part....    As soon as the rpms get to 3500.... no power.
Actually a lot of hesitation and this car wouldn't get out of its own way.
I've debated many things it *could* be with two other listers and this is
what we came up with so far.

1.    Timing, timing , timing.   Either the cam-to-cam timing, timing belt,
or ignition.
2.    Plugged Cat. Converter
3.    Head has been decked to the point that I have changed the compression
to the point that I am experiencing *knock* and the ignition is be retarded
by the knock sensor .
4.    Broken parts in the head  (valve springs, bent valve, etc.)

Now I did go back into the head and recheck all the timing values,...  No
luck there
I did take the car to a muffler shop that said the car is not a problem.
(though they didn't actually remove the pipe and *look* inside to see
Now as far as compression...hrmm,...  The head was cut 7 thousands when it
was rebuilt.  There was also a 3 angle valve grind done and valve springs
were installed @ 90lbs.  what I'm not sure is *how* much shaving is too much
in respect to changing the compression ratio.  I guess I'll throw in the
fact that I live in Hell,...uhumm I mean South Carolina where it is 90
degrees and about 115 with the damn humidity,...maybe that may play a part,
dunno?
Lastly,...I never heard any damage happening to the head on initial start up
,...so I can't see there being internal damage.   Besides,.... If I had bent
a valve(s) this thing wouldn't run *fine* at idle ,...right?

Advise,..Ideas,...I'm open to anything at this point.  I just really, really
need to have a car to drive.
Thanks and sorry for the length.
Chris



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