"jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote

> isn't there a groove on the body of the distributor, the part that
> inserts into the head? that's where the o-ring goes. have to stretch
> it a little to get it over the lip, but it holds itself in place after that.

....just like this image. 95 Accord TEC distributor, hotlinked from www.andale.com

http://images.andale.com/f2/110/120/...ibutor_006.jpg

Here's another one from a Toyota. Notice the design is flawed on the Honda.

http://images.andale.com/f2/110/120/...ibutor_001.jpg

The Toyota has one or two bolts to hold the distributor, Honda has three. If
you don't tighten all three bolts on the Honda, the o-ring won't center and
can leak. Toyota has outsmarted Honda by making it easier for the tech to
adjust the timing while the o-ring centers perfectly. One more reason to
switch to Toyota.