Wanted to get some opinions here.

Just finished up swapping in a good B230FT block from my '90 car and have it installed in the '88 hooked up to the wiring harness from the '88. The ONLY thing I moved over from the '90 is the block and installed sensors.

Issue now is hard starting due to what appears to be flooding. This has happened since I installed the motor. Everything is connected. No vacuum leaks. Testing done today while weather was about 85-90º F.

- Upon starting you have to hold the starter for about 30 seconds - eventually the car coughs to life. Rough idles on the verge of stalling for about 30 seconds. During this time, sounds like missfires and shooting puffs of black smoke out the tailpipe.

- After the aformentioned 30 seconds, the idle smoothes out, engine sounds and revs normal, has full power, no misses, no smoke.

- If the car is shut off and restarted immediately the same thing happens. Seems to happen whether it is a warm start or cold start.

What I've done:
- Installed a known-good O2 sensor
- Verified timing is correct (once idle smooths out)
- Fuel pump/filter are known good

Things I'm going to check:
- Fuel pressure regulator (I think its not the issue though because the car does eventually run properly).
- ???

Any thoughts would be helpful. I'm reviewing old posts and seeing what else I can find.

Thanks!
-Phil