Moving the distributor was a bad plan.... you are going to have to re-zero that. The procedure is outlined in the 01 factory service manual that you can download from the FAQ section here.

You probably whacked the crank sensor when you were installing the engine. They don't much care for that treatment.

 

OK then, the crank sensor is most likely F'd up because you didn't remove and reinstall it. Or the wires are damaged or pinched between the motor and bell housing. And, you screwed around with the distributor. Which you should not have done.

 

ok im going to change the crank sensor.we did not move the distributor much.I will let you guys know how it went.

 

doesnt matter if you moved it "much" our distributors arent supposed to move, the advancment in timing is done through the PCM

 

From what you've told us, it's possible that the distributor is off 180 degrees. That has to be ruled out. Whoever took the engine out of the van might very well have removed the distributor and then just put it back on any which way. Assume nothing.

To me, back-firing in a situation like this (post-major surgery) says distributor off 180 or firing order of wires screwed up. After you rule out the first, double or triple check the second, making 100% sure of the order of the wires, and that what you think is #1 on the cap really is #1.

Good luck.

 

well guys put in a new crank sensor put it in time and it runs like a champ. thanks you guy for the help.