Rep Power: 0

Hello all. I just did a head gasket job on my o3 civic ex with the d17 and vtec with a manual trans. I used the fel pro head gasket kit along with an ARP head stud kit, new thermostat, I lapped the valves, new valve stem seals, new timing kit along with all the seals, cleaned everything extensively. When I fire the car up it starts hard,almost like the timing slipped, surges to 2000 rpm and bounces back and forth between 2000 and 1800 sometimes goes to 2800 and just stays there. It also will not rev over 3000 rpm as it just bogs out and falls on its face but does not die. It seems to be heating up quickly and the heater isnt working properly. The block on this car was questionable when I tore it down as I bought it off a guy who didnt know sh8 about fixing cars. Ive done a few of these d17s so Im not a total rookie but Ive checked all my connections and all my hoses everything seems to be in place. Im afraid the damn thing didnt seal correctly even with the arp kit but I have seen alot of other issues like water flow probs and sensor issues(iac). This car sat for a year in his shop so it was a real pain hunting down bolts etc but it does run. Ive done several of these timing belts and double checked the timing before I installed the cover. The thermostat is a 175 I believe but Im not sure I am circulating properly. I think I put it in with the brass pin down, the car came with a new radiator but I didnt install that yet. Is the thermostat not in correctly? Will that affect my idle and the surging issue, as well as it just bogging out at 3000 rpm? The hard start is really concerning and its just all over the place with the idle. Also I have a maintenance required light, and the CEL orange is on but my code reader will not pull codes it says theres no pending or stored. Ive seen this when the comp fails but usually you cannot connect at all. Its a good one for the honda guys and I appreciate the help. Thanks alot fellas