4AGE Tuning Question ?

[juantonwan]

A few months ago I freshened up my engine (4age 16V) and got it put back together and running. It wasn't running how it should. For example, when going up a hill it would lack power, or choke when you stepped on the gas. I drove it like this for a bit, then on day it was perfect. I am not sure what happened, but it started driving great. It was after a freeze, so I was thinking maybe the cold help seal a air leak. Anyhow, the car ran absolutely perfect for a few months.

The other day my timing belt broke as I was backing out of the drive way. I got a new belt, then positioned the cams in relation to TDC for #1 piston. Intake at 12 o'clock and exhaust at 5 o'clock positions for the knock pins. My cam sprockets also have marks on them that match the metal back plate marks.

I did not touch the distributor at all. So it should be exactly the same as when the car was running perfect. So the cam timing is perfect and the ignition is just how it was.

Problem:

When I run the car, it is acting like it did after I first freshened it up. If I quickly press the throttle, it chokes. Going up hills it lacks power and bogs. The plugs are white, which all these indicate it is running lean.

My question is, what could be the issue? I don't yet have a timing light, but like I said the distributor did not move.

Could the cams be a tooth off? They match the marks exactly where they are supposed to be.

Could a valve be sticking?

Any thoughts or input would be great.