car runs like complete crap when cold, ideas?

[KFunk]

Well, I might've saved it!

I went ahead and re-torqued the head bolts per the specs in my Clymer manual. (30-45-55 ftlbs).

All seemed tight until I got to the bolts above and below the separation between #1 and #2 cylinders. When I got just above 50 ftlbs., they just barely started to turn a little, and continued to turn maybe a half-turn or more until I finally could get it to 55.

I kinda bet those two bolts had loosened up just enough to allow some compression to leak between cylinders 1 and 2 when the car is cold, until the head expands enough to block it.

I took it for a ride, and it seemed to be just fine. It was like 5pm tho... yes I had a long night...

Good thing I caught it before that leaking fire melted thru it all the way, like on this one:

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kfunk/gasket.jpg