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Engine ID
Sent to Car Experts June 15 11:28 AM

I bought a dead 33 Cavalier. The previous owner did mention he had changed engines. I did what I knew to do. I then took it to a mechanic. He couldn't make it run. I since have replaced everything except the EGR valve. I did clean it twice and then removed it and blocked the port. I got it to run once before I pulled the head for a valve job. In my study and research I have learned that the firing order on all 4 cylinders is the same but where the wires connect to the coil packs change from engine to engine. I tried to find what engine I have by the id number stamped in the block. Nothing from a dealer or a salvage yard. I then pulled the plugs and checked when they fired in relation to the valve sequence. I found 2 and 3 fire when 1 and 4 should be firing. So I am back to my last thought. I have the wrong engine. But I do not know how to find what I have.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
June 15 1:28 PM (2 hours and 25 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Check the 8th digit of the VIN for the engine code. I assume you meant the car is an 88 not a 33. Here's the only 4 cyl for that year.

1988 Chevrolet Cavalier/Z24
2.0 liter L4 VIN "1"

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Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance
Reply
June 16 10:56 AM (21 hours and 28 minutes and 14 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tech501's Post: Tech 501 is correct in that I meant 88 and not 33. Had to be a typo. However, You missed a very important point. The engine had been changed. It could have and I do believe does have a different engine. Since posting this request I switched the wires as per my listed findings. It is trying to fire back through the throttle body. This tells me the timing is off.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 16 6:42 PM (7 hours and 45 minutes and 33 seconds later)
         
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Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance
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