On Jul 11, 9:07 pm, "Forrest" <REMOVETHISrunforre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The timing belt went on my 89 Accord SEI. It's the 2 liter SOHC with auto
> trans. No damage to pistons or valves and put a new one on it. The problem
> is that now I can't turn the dist enough to get it to advance to the red
> timing mark, where it used to be. I did this job once, several years ago and
> didn't have any problems. I positioned the cam sprocket with the "up" mark
> up and the little mark on each side even with the top of the head. I have
> the crank at TDC. I made sure of it by checking the #1 piston's travel. The
> flywheel, or whatever it is that has the marks, has, from retard side to
> advance side, a hash mark and a "T" next to it. That checks out as TDC.
> After that, there is about a half inch gap and then, what looks like the
> letter (G) .. another gap and then about 4 hash marks with the middle one
> red. After the red one is, what looks like the number "5". I assume that the
> one to the left of the red is the number "1", making it (15), for the number
> of degrease that it's supposed to be set before TDC. Anywhoo ... I can't
> get it to advance past the (G) looking mark which is way before the red one.
> I tore it back apart and rechecked the cam sprocket and the TDC mark ...
> they are OK.
>
> The procedure, according to the "Haynes" book, for setting ignition timing
> is to disconnect and plug the two vacuum hoses that go to the advance and
> then set it to 15 BTDC, reconnect the hoses and you're good to go. That's
> how I did it last time. Don't know why I can't duplicate it.
>
> I got a hold of an Accord service manual and it tells you to set it at 4
> BTDC with the hoses disconnected and plugged. There is no 4 degree mark. I
> guess supposedly, it's supposed to go to 15 after rehooking the vac advance?
> I replaced the vac advance a few years ago. I just checked it and it holds,
> with vac pump on either connection. It also mentions how to check for vacuum
> from the hoses and suggests that if not there, it might be a problem with
> the "Ignition control solenoid valve". To check that you are supposed to
> have the engine running and warmed up. Anyway, I have it torn apart with
> belt on and if I have to adjust the belt, now's the time.
>
> It seems like, to be able to do it the Haynes way, I would have to move the
> belt a tooth. That's the only way I'll be able to get it to advance the ign.
> timing to 15 BTDC. Any help or thoughts on this would be greatly
> appreciated. Thanks in advance


after initial installation of the belt, you must rotate the crankshaft
counter-clockwise to check the cam timing
tighten the tensioner and re-check the timing

good luck