Elle wrote:
>
> For the record, about how far off is the timing?
>
> What is the age at this point of spark plugs, ignition
> wires, distributor cap and rotor, air and fuel filters? Are
> the plugs, wires, cap and rotor OEM? (IIRC, you are averse
> to OEM, and you're also an old hand when it comes to basic
> tuneup stuff, but let's get it down here for the record,
> anyway. Lot of folks have had bad running problems and
> something as simply as new plugs or wires fixed it right
> up.)
>


New gas tank, all filters, fuel pump, professionally rebuilt carburetor,
wires, dist cap and denso(?) plugs.

The problem definitely is vacuum (probably control box) related.



> I would be doing what you're doing: Scouring the manuals and
> the net, with a lot of attention to carburetor problems.
>
> I am pretty clueless about troubleshooting carburetors.
> Clean 'em up thoroughly, possibly rebuild, watch out for
> getting all the vacuum lines hooked up right is all I know.
>
> Also, I'd be following all the carburetor checks listed in
> the 1984-87 Civic's factory service manual at
> http://www.honda.co.uk/car/owner/workshop.html , with
> attention to idle adjustments and especially cold idle. Not
> sure if your 83 differs a lot from the 84 Civics, though.
>

I really don't suspect the carb except for maybe the low speed fuel cut
off switch.



> Curly, SoCalMike and all the regulars here ought to leap in,
> AFAIC since IIRC some have carb experience.
>
> "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpster@GrumpyvilleNOT.com> wrote
> > My '83 Civic has developed a hard starting malady (cold or
> > hot engine).
> >
> > Noticed it about four weeks ago just before I (flew) back
> > east for a
> > three week sojourn. Barely got it started the other
> > morning after
> > returning. The frist time it occurred, it went away after
> > the engine
> > reached operating temperature.
> >
> >
> > Symptoms:
> >
> > * Fully depressed gas pedal to start (cold or hot)
> >
> > * Rough idle (occasionally stalls)
> >
> > * No control of timing when rotating distributor position
> >
> > * Engine "bucks" when driving while maintaining speed in
> > 2nd or 3rd gear.
> >
> >
> > What I did...
> >
> > * Disconnected the vacuum line that runs from the control
> > box to the
> > engine and feeds the distributor advance via a "T"
> > fitting. Found that
> > if I leave the line (semi) connected, i.e. hooked up from
> > carb to
> > control box but with the dist line disconnected (open),
> > the engine idle
> > increases but is rough. Reconnect, and engine slows down
> > to the point
> > of stalling. Same result if I simply put my finger on the
> > open end of
> > the "T" fitting that feeds the box and engine.
> >
> > So, something has failed and the Honda manual is as clear
> > as mud.
> >
> > Is there a "work around" to solve this problem?
> >
> > Ol' Grumpy thanks you in advance!
> >
> > JT
> >
> > (Pun intended)