Timing

Tiny
KLOWN
  • MEMBER
  • HONDA CIVIC
Hi, I have a 91 Honda Civic Dx hatch back. I just rebuilt the engine and I can't seem to get the timing right. I got number one cylinder on TDC and the cam's UP mark on 12 o'clock. The distributer will not advance far enough to put the rotor just before number one's fire point. The rotor is almost past number one's fire point. I got the distributer off of an 89 model civic. It looks exactly like the one I took off of the 91. Will it hurt to turn the cam back a few degrees to get the rotor in the right position?
Sunday, March 25th, 2007 AT 7:50 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
The engine runs. But the timing is off and you can also feel that as you drive it too?

You turn the distributor and it doesn't seem to go far enough, correct?

You tried very hard to line up the crank and the camshaft marks but I suspect you are off a cog on the timing belt. With #1 plug out, insert a long screwdriver. Turn the engine over slowly by hand until the screwdriver is at the highest point. That is top dead center on the piston. The camshaft lines should be parallel to the top of the head.
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Monday, March 26th, 2007 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
KLOWN
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I had the piston at TDC and the cam is lined up perfect. I think I might have figured out my problem. I'm not sure yet but I think I have the wrong distributer. I used one off of an 89 model. My fiend at the parts store told me that the part number for both cars is different.

Ok I tried what you said and the UP mark is up and the two lines are even with the top of the head. Its still not lined up right inside the distributer.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Remove the holdown bolt lift the distributor so that the dis. Drive clears-now turn the rotor till it points directly to the no.1 cap tower then set the dis. Down-then tighten it.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
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I think im gonna have to advance the cam some. No matter what I do I cant get the distributer aligned right at all. Will it hurt any thing if I advance it a few deg. And readjust the rockers?
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Sunday, April 1st, 2007 AT 8:29 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Don't over do it-it might ping on you.
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Monday, April 2nd, 2007 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
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  • 4 POSTS
Ok so I found my problem. I met a guy the other day who just so happens to be a honda tech. He looked at the dist. And said that I had it right. Go figure lol. Then he showed me the flashing light on the ecu under the carpet. That thing is handy. It turns out that my fuel injectors or my fuel press reg is bad.
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Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 AT 8:33 AM

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