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TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

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Old 05-12-2023, 03:06 PM
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Default TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

The only time my little Civic ever let me down was when the distributor failed. I found a spare and got back up and running.

I still have the dizzy that came with my B swap - it is a TD-44U which came with the OBD1 B16 in the del Sols. It is the small cap VTEC distributor and takes the cap and rotor for an LS Integra.

I found replacement coils and ignitors and repaired that distributor, but I found the infamous "red dust" and heard a little squeak-squeak from this unit.

The bearing can be tricky to find, but one day I saw a post that pointed me to the replacement bearing. I have been meaning to rebuild my spare for a while, and now the time has come...
Old 05-12-2023, 03:18 PM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Here was the post that gave me hope for rebuilding - @spAdam found the bearing and seals here: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-.../#post52344499

A good post on trouble-shooting your distributor if you have no-start: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...sible-3356014/

Info on sourcing the seals: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...ic-vx-3331197/

This thread has lots of good pictures on how to rebuild the distributor: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...dizzy-2441044/

Last link has a video: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...-seal-3283719/
Old 05-12-2023, 03:31 PM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Next up will be some pictures of when I took the distributor apart...

I have already removed the distributor cap and rotor:


Free the wiring harness from the holder.


Remove the coil tower.


Coil is removed in this picture, ignitor remains in place (lower right of picture).

Last edited by 94 Civic Si; 05-13-2023 at 08:05 AM.
Old 05-13-2023, 08:10 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Flip the dizzy around and remove the cam drive. To do this, remove the spring clip, and then the pin.

Make sure to not the offset orientation. I set the flat part of the shaft, for the rotor, toward the square portion of the distributor housing - see previous picture:


Old 05-13-2023, 08:15 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Next, it is time to remove the cam/counterweight from the upper end of the distributor shaft:


Measure the install depth of the counterweight.


1.8 cm.


Gently pry off w/ screwdrivers.

Last edited by 94 Civic Si; 05-15-2023 at 04:02 AM.
Old 05-13-2023, 08:19 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Remove the ignitor, and then unscrew the bearing plate, you can now remove the shaft from the dizzy housing:


Keep track of the ignitor connections!


Now the shaft slides out of the housing - note the old seal.


A close up of the pickup
Old 05-13-2023, 08:24 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Now it is time to remove the old bearing!


Measure the install depth.


4.1 cm, just under.


I placed the bearing plate on some pieces of wood and tapped the shaft out.


Remove the bearing retainer.

Last edited by 94 Civic Si; 05-15-2023 at 04:02 AM.
Old 05-13-2023, 08:27 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

The old bearing is free:





Old 05-14-2023, 10:48 PM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

This is great, thank you for documenting.

Last edited by spAdam; 05-15-2023 at 06:26 AM.
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Old 05-15-2023, 04:03 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Originally Posted by spAdam
This is great, thank you for documenting.

I think you have a units typo - 41cm would be like ~16 inches. There’s two that I noticed.
Thank you for catching that!
Fixed.
Now to rebuild the dizzy...
Old 05-15-2023, 06:28 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

I actually completely forgot about that post and bearing depot, I just received a couple of Nachis from an eBay seller in the UK. Need to do one of my spares too.
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Old 05-15-2023, 01:51 PM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Originally Posted by spAdam
I actually completely forgot about that post and bearing depot, I just received a couple of Nachis from an eBay seller in the UK. Need to do one of my spares too.
Post up a link for Nachis!
Old 05-16-2023, 06:32 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Originally Posted by spAdam
I actually completely forgot about that post and bearing depot, I just received a couple of Nachis from an eBay seller in the UK. Need to do one of my spares too.
What are you doing for seals then? Where are you sourcing these?
Old 05-16-2023, 08:40 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

I’m actually not going to do that, because I just unboxed and realized that at some point I got my listings mixed up and did not order the Nachis. Oh well, I got excited and pulled the trigger to fast.

The good news:

- There’s a company out of Florida (PFI bearing) selling the Honda distributor bearing. So we have another domestic source.
- I only paid £7 ea for the bearings, so I’m gonna build one out and see what happens. If it’s good it’s good.

The bad:

- The ID is a teeny bit small. It either fits or it doesn’t when I go to press it on. We will see.

​​​​​​​




Seals are fairly easy to get. I have a spare in my box o’ seals and o-rings.

I’m also going to be replacing the mag sensors with this aftermarket set. All of the used distributors I’ve acquired or looked at in the last few years had the insulation absolutely crumbling off of the wires. The only solution is replacing the full sensor set since they are potted.




What are you going to use to press your shaft back together?
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Old 05-17-2023, 04:04 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

I was going to freeze the shaft and put the bearing and counterweight in the oven at 170 and then see how easy things went together. I have some pieces of wood to hold things that I used to tap the weight and bearing off.

Those are some nice calipers!

Let us know how the PFI bearing works!
Old 05-17-2023, 07:55 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Hah thanks! Their no Mitutoyos, but they've put up with my constant use for >22 years. Would buy again.
Old 05-25-2023, 07:41 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Originally Posted by spAdam

I’m also going to be replacing the mag sensors with this aftermarket set. All of the used distributors I’ve acquired or looked at in the last few years had the insulation absolutely crumbling off of the wires. The only solution is replacing the full sensor set since they are potted.



What are you going to use to press your shaft back together?
Where did you source the replacement sensors?
I want to provide as much info as possible to future readers of this thread...
Old 05-25-2023, 07:46 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

From here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/28400312282...mis&media=COPY

They are fully untested Chinesium at this point. The connector is a knockoff. I may snip it and replace with a genuine Sumitomo before I use it, or may leave it so I can learn.

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Old 05-25-2023, 08:05 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

I found these diagnostics for the coil and ignitor - these might help folks troubleshoot their distributors:





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Old 05-25-2023, 08:06 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

I bought replacement coil and ignitor here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/330727315221?rmvSB=true

https://www.ebay.com/itm/271343057388?rmvSB=true
Old 05-25-2023, 04:21 PM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

I didn't see if it was mentioned about the seals but Dorman makes the seals kit for these old TD4x distributors. Once I finish unpacking my stuff, I should come across the box and be able to provide the part number. Then it's just sourcing the proper bearing etc. Still working through the settling in process from our move.

Great write up! I'll be using this to aid me through the process. I have several distributors I'd like to rehabilitate.
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Old 05-26-2023, 06:48 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Originally Posted by TomCat39
I didn't see if it was mentioned about the seals but Dorman makes the seals kit for these old TD4x distributors. Once I finish unpacking my stuff, I should come across the box and be able to provide the part number. Then it's just sourcing the proper bearing etc. Still working through the settling in process from our move.

Great write up! I'll be using this to aid me through the process. I have several distributors I'd like to rehabilitate.
Awesome! Thank you for that knowledge @TomCat39 - I look forward to the p/n...
Old 05-26-2023, 05:06 PM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

I'm not sure if the B18B Dizzy has the same size seals, but I suspect it does.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-76845-917-136.aspx

Dorman doesn't say Integra in the list for the old B16 variant which I believe is also the TD-44U but I still think the seals are the same on these. Dorman 917-136
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Old 05-27-2023, 08:01 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

Originally Posted by TomCat39
I'm not sure if the B18B Dizzy has the same size seals, but I suspect it does.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-76845-917-136.aspx

Dorman doesn't say Integra in the list for the old B16 variant which I believe is also the TD-44U but I still think the seals are the same on these. Dorman 917-136
Good question about the B18B dizzy seals.
I put the TD44 distributor into the NAPA website and it shows fitment for '92-93 Integra and '94-95 Del sol w. B16 VTEC. Kind of a small window, eh?
Old 05-27-2023, 08:06 AM
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Default Re: TD-44U Distributor Rebuild

The cap and rotor for the TD44 distributor fits everything - '92-2000 Civic, etc.

Echlin cap - Part #: ECH EP867 - $23.99
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHEP867

Echlin rotor - Part #: ECH EP469 - $23.99
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHEP469


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