[monkeyz20]

I just put a brand new short block (everything under the head) in my car & now it's running like crap! It stutters, stalls, & backfires if you try to get on it. It's running hot, Felt a heat wave when i opened the hood...even though my fan always runs when my motor is running. The coils & DIS have been checked & test good......
Don't know what else to check! HELP!!!!!

[b_chandler]

If it's backfiring, it's either pig rich and lighting the fuel in the exhaust or the timing cam timing is off.

Sounds like you missed something or didn't get it quite right when you put it back together.

[74stang2togo]

Cam timing's probably off, a 2.3 will run with the cam as far as 180 degrees out, it just won't run right.

[Tyrant69]

if you have a degree chart for your cam set it between 10 advanced and 10 retard. adjust as you feel is necessary. i hear 4 degree retard is a good setting for 2.3L