Hi, I have a 1990 n/a OHC manual that will start and idle fine, but, when I go to drive (especially under anything over feather light acceleration) it begins sputtering, spitting, misfiring, jerking, and losing power. Sometimes the Techoeter will smoothly drop by 2000 before beginning to accelerate for a few seconds, then repeat.
It has done this twice before but the problem went away by itself after sitting for a while. However, it seems to have set in permanently after driving to the other end of the island and back (approx 5 hours). although it made the trip ok - the next time I went to drive it, all hell broke lose.
I've replaced the fuel & air filters, spark plugs & leads, rotor & distributor, and put fuel treatment in.
Does anyone have any ideas what it could be? I'm at my wits end, maybe the timing belt slipping?