I just installed a new distributor I thought I lined up everything right... it starts runs but when I press on the gas it doesn't have any power any ideas?

Hook up a timing light and make final adjustments. If you don't have one, set it based on your ear--start car, slightly loosen 3 mounting bolts, and rotate distributor until it sounds right. You may have it too far retarded. To advance timing, rotate the distributor housing counter-clockwise. Afterwards, retighten 3 mounting bolts.

Hook up a timing light and make final adjustments. If you don't have one, set it based on your ear--start car, slightly loosen 3 mounting bolts, and rotate distributor until it sounds right. You may have it too far retarded. To advance time, rotate the distributor housing counter-clockwise. Afterwards, retighten 3 mounting bolts.



Okay I'm a newbie with working on cars so please forgive my ignorance

How do you use a timing light? I bought a cheap one it's a acton Inductive Timing Light model 7527


I take off the timing belt cover right? And shoot the light towards what? The balancer? Ummm... and then how do I a line the distributor I'm so confused hahahaha thanks for any help you can throw my way

See how to set the ignition timing in the link below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-honda-civics-46563.html#post219963

There's no need to remove the timing belt cover.

See how to set the ignition timing in the link below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-honda-civics-46563.html#post219963

There's no need to remove the timing belt cover.



AWESOME thanks for the help : )

Okay I see the marks now, but they won't line up and the distributor is advanced all the way, it seems like if I retard it then advance it all the way the middle red mark gets between the pointer then the engine seems to rev. down and then the red mark is off


There is three harshs one with the red mark and then there are like two more harshs with no mark

The two marks seem to be closer to the pointer if this makes any sense lol the red mark is off a lot with the distributor advanced all the way

Help lol

Did you jump the Service Check Connector with a paper clip? The red (middle) hash mark is what most Civics use.

Yup I jumped the service check connector, do you think that its idleing too high at 1000? Could it make a difference if I lower the idle?

Yes, you need to read the section on adjusting idle rpm. The idle rpm needs to be set to specs first (initial rpm 450, final rpm 700). See below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-honda-civics-46563.html#post219948

Oh ill check it out now thanks for your help so far : )

Still about 16 degrees off, could I have a bad distributor it's a rebuilt from carquest

Yes, it's possible. Several people on this site have had problems with aftermarket distributors. When the bearing went in my distributor, I bought a new Honda housing ($114) and installed my old igniter and coil.

Being off 16 degrees is a lot. Did you set idle rpm to specs first? Is your MAP sensor hooked up properly?

Exchanged my distributor and WOO HOO I got the timing down just right!! Right on the red mark runs great woohoo thanks for your help txgreasemonkey my next job is the axles... : )

Good job. So now we have another example of a bad aftermarket distributor. They are starting to add up.

Is your next job replacing the CV joints?

The Drive Shaft / Axle both sides (driver,passenger side)