Higher octane fuel shouldn't cause that issue. Maybe a couple HP loss of power when the engine isn't designed to run it, but never should cause any engine to run like crap. Definitely something else going on there.

Could be that particular station never sells 93, so it's loaded with moisture from sitting? Or, there was a coincidental failure or a sensor, fuel pump, ... or ?? Could be anything with electronics.

 

It started right after putting it in. The exhaust started stinking bad first, then a few minutes later the motor surging started.
It did have a code before that that said misfire on #3. Autozone read it & their computer said it needed intake gasket on that side a couple of week ago, but it has ran like a champ since I did the tune up on it a about a month ago with no detectable miss.
I did crack one of the screw tabs when installing the distributor cap on last month when I did a tune up on it, but it ran good so I left it alone for the time being. It's possible that could have become a problem & it was just coincidental timing, but it doesn't really explain the seriously noxious exhaust.
We went out of town for the weekend for my brother's wedding, so I have not messed with it since I parked it Friday evening. Project for tomorrow.

 

If you have a misfire, raw fuel is going right out the exhaust - it will stink pretty bad, and burn your eyes if you're close to it. I'm betting that cap is the issue, and possibly some other things.

You can check for intake gasket leaks when the engine is cold - just get a sprayer full of water. No need for anything flammable. Spray where the intake manifold meets the head, and note any change in engine speed. On a cold day, you'll also see lots of steam out the exhaust too with a large enough leak. These engines are notorious for failing OEM intake gaskets.

 

Yeah, I will replace the cap on Friday when the check hits the bank. I work from home so the only time I have to leave the house during the week is to get my kid from school & that is 1 mile away. It doesn't even warm up in that amount of time, so it doesn't start acting punch drunk until I'm on the way back.
I have to put the A/C compressor back in it before it gets hot. Being in Texas, hot weather is right around the corner. If the replacing the cap stops the issue, I will probably wait until I put the compressor back in & do the gasket at the same time.

 

Putting on new wheel bearing, everything going as planned but the old abs/heat plate doesn't fit new bearing. Did I miss a step somewhere?

 

Never did one on a '96, but what's an "abs/heat plate"? Do you mean the ABS sensor and backing plate as 2 separate items? The last aftermarket bearings I bought came with new ABS sensors, but if neither the sensor nor the plate fit, they may have given you the wrong bearing.

Does it fit into the steering knuckle, and do the bolt holes line up?

.

 

Gotta sand the hell out of the bore in the knuckle - get all that rust out of there, plus a little lube wouldn't hurt either. Makes installation 20x easier.

 

Doing some body work on the old girl. I really have no mechanical issues at the moment(knocking on wood) but the body is showing some wear. New front tires and a front end alignment is in the near future as well

 

Right part, had to order newer style abs. Got everything on and together, rides great now.

 

Well, it's screwed good. Went to replace what I thought was a cracked dizzy cap, but it's not. The cap it fine. It's the tab that the cap screws into that is broken. It fell off completely when I pulled the cap.
Not sure what to do now. I guess the distributor will need to be replaced.