I recently bought this 4 cylinder Honda and noticed that it was hesitating when accelerating from stop and pinging whenever under load. I also had a check engine light code of Catalyst system efficiency below threshold. I guessed that maybe the timing was off. So I retarded the timing and it eliminated the hesitation from a stop but it still pings when accelerating beyond 1/4 throttle and about 1500RPM or so. I don't have a timing light so I just put the distributor all the way to the stop to retard as much as possible.

I also checked the plugs and they all looked similar with the insulator a light brown color. The center electrode was worn down evenly on all and the gap looked big to me, but I wouldn't think this means much. On the first two cylinders the insulator was a little bit pink, not sure what that means.
Looking for ideas on what to do about the pinging.
I have searched these forums and I'm thinking that this could be improved by adjusting the valve clearance? This doesn't look too hard.
Thanks for your help if anyone can help out.

Try tuning it up. Get new plugs and wires etc. Also set your distributor back to where it had been. Most newer cars use the computer to change the timing and the static timing doesn't mean much (positioning of the distributor). Also clean it out with a good cleaner. I recommend using seafoam cleaner. Just follow the instructions on the bottle.

Thanks for your reply I will try the leads and plugs.

When I rotated the distributor it did fix the problem with hesitation when taking off. With the static timing advanced, it would take off then stumble and the revs would drop way down and almost stall, then it would gradually accelerate, especially if I press the accelerator lightly.
When I put the timing way back, then it does not hesitate at all when accelerating from a stop, and it accelerates quickliy. But it still pings when accelerating most of the time.
Using an obd scanner, the timing seems to stay at about 16 at idle no matter what I do with the actual distributer, so the ecu is controlling it, but somehow the position of the distributer affects the stumbling when starting.

I would install new spark plugs (NGK only), gapped to spec. and set the timing with a timing light.

Honda Civic Ignition Timing Adjustment

1. Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.

2. Adjust “Final Idle Speed” to 700 rpm, using the idle speed adjustment procedures above.

3. Turn off engine and all electrical systems.

4. Jump the Service Check Connector (SCC) with a paper clip.

5. Connect positive inductive timing light lead to the positive battery terminal.

6. Connect negative inductive timing light lead to engine ground.

7. Connect inductive timing light lead to the No. 1 spark plug wire.

8. Start engine.

9. Using the timing light, rotate the distributor, after loosening the three 12 mm mounting bolts, until timing is set to 16 degrees BTDC* on the crankshaft pulley. 16 degrees BTDC should be the middle of the three clustered hash marks on the pulley. Align middle hash mark on pulley with pointer above. You may want to take chalk or yellow paint and highlight the hash mark first.

10. Button everything up.

11. Remove the BACKUP fuse for 10 seconds, in order to reset the computer. Record any radio codes first.

*D15B7/D15Z1/D16Z6 engines.