Ignition Timing
- Remove rubber inspection cap from window on cylinder block (Accord and Prelude). Connect timing light. Engine should be idling and at normal operating temperature.
- With engine idling and manual transaxle in Neutral (automatic transaxle in Drive), disconnect vacuum hoses from vacuum advance unit. Vacuum should be present at inside hose and not present at outside vacuum hose. If vacuum is not as outlined, check timing control system before proceeding with ignition timing procedure.
- Reconnect vacuum lines to vacuum advance unit. Check ignition timing. Red mark on crankshaft pulley should be aligned with index pointer on timing belt cover. To adjust, loosen distributor bolt and turn body counterclockwise to advance timing and clockwise to retard.
- Disconnect outside vacuum hose from vacuum advance unit and connect hand vacuum pump. With 20 in. Hg applied, timing should advance 4 degrees (6 degrees on Accord). Remove vacuum pump.
- Disconnect and plug both vacuum hoses from vacuum advance unit. Timing should now be 4 degrees BTDC. If advance does not occur as outlined, check vacuum advance diaphragm and distributor advance components. Reconnect vacuum hoses.
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. IGNITION TIMING (DEGREES BTDC @ RPM)
| Application |
Man. Trans. |
Auto. Trans. |
| Accord |
| Carbureted |
| Calif. |
20@750 |
15@700 |
| Fed. & High Alt. |
24@750 |
15@700 |
| Fuel Injected |
15@750 |
15@700 |
| Prelude |
| 1.8L |
20@800 |
12@800 |
| 2.0L |
15@750 |
15@750 |