i just installed a rebuilt engine in to my 86 with tpi system with no engine codes thrown i have everything hooked up except egr tube from exhaust to intake manifolds all sensors connected except for the one sensor on the tube. when i start the car it idles badly for a couple seconds and just shuts off if i step on the pedal it will rev up to around 2000rpm then back fire super hard then shut down when i let go of the pedal. it will do this about 9 out of 10 times then on one start it will start up and run perfectly fine idles perfectly and revs up with no problems but once i turn it off then go to start it back up immediately the problem is back until i turn the engine on and off for about 10 times then it will have that one perfect start up and run good the whole time till it is turned off. i have found that if i disconnect the connector in between the driver side exhaust manifold and battery that is for the distributor i believe to set base timing when it is disconnected the car will throw a code 43 will run fine idles perfectly and revs up without backfiring but when i drive and go full throttle it bogs out but still goes past 80 on the freeway when babying it. so im stumped on what the problem could be if it doesnt throw any codes when everything is hooked up properly even with the egr tube currently missing .

 

When you unplug the EST wire, you rely on the limited amount of advance built into HEI module, so you will have the driving symptoms you had.


Are both ports for EGR, blocked off ?

 

yes both egr holes are blocked off

 

What is your base timing set at ?