"Chopface" <thename_is_slick@yahoo.com> wrote
> I finally coughed up the money and bought a timing light. I am using
> the directions in my Helm manual My timing is significantly off on my
> car which has 130k miles. Looking downward, the 3 marks (made bright
> silver with a ball-point pen) on the crank pulley are above the pointer
> by at least twice the width of the 3 marks. Are there 2 deg. between
> each mark?

Yes.

> I am just hoping I didn't jump a tooth on my timing belt.

Any reason to suspect this?

> I tried loosening the distributor bolts so I could adjust the timing,
> but I couldn't find a good fit with my sockets and wrenches. The bolts
> seem like they are really tourqued on there. My 12mm tools seemed to fit
> the best, but there was significant play when turning the tools back and
> forth lightly against the bolts. Do I have bad tools or is there a
> certain size wrench that I should look for?

Yes, the bolt heads are 12 mm.

Two suggestions:
1) Squirt a little "PB Blaster" penetrating oil on the bolts. Let this sit a few
minutes. Then try again. Places like Autozone, Napa, Checkers, and Wal-Mart sell
PB Blaster. Amazing stuff.

2) On the two lower mounting bolts, use a 12 mm socket. The socket should have
less play.

Admittedly for the top distributor mounting bolt I think one is stuck using an
open end wrench or a box wrench. Maybe try getting an adjustable crescent on
there.

The bolts shouldn't be that tight. I can't find the exact torque spec. for them
right now, but other 12 mm head mounting bolts (8 mm nominal diameter) for the
91 Civic's engine are tightened to 17 ft-lbs. That's not much torque.

Of course, someone could have overtightened them.

You do plan to jumper the ignition timing adjusting connector, don't you, per
the Helm manual, before making adjustments, right?

Also, do you have any idea what the idle speed is?

Gotta check the timing at the appropriate RPM. If everything's set right, this
will occur after the car is warmed up. You're checking the timing after the car
has warmed up, right?

> Thanks for any help,
>
> Mark