So I have a b18b in a civic. It runs well, but i think it could run better. The timing is about an inch off of the TDC mark when I have the distributor all the way advanced.

The other day, i thried rotating both cams 180 degrees and running it. The timing was perfect but the car ran like crap so I put it back. I seem to have both cams advanced on tooth on the gears, but if i correct them, the car runs awful.

I have adjustable cam gears and an N1 pulley. Could these be the problem or is it most likely something else?

 

Are you jumping the check connector when your setting the timing? Otherwise it will automatically advance and retard and give you a false setting.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM_Ej &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you jumping the check connector when your setting the timing? Otherwise it will automatically advance and retard and give you a false setting. </TD></TR></TABLE>


I have it jumped, i think. How do i know if it is in service mode? Either way... i am getting the same reading.

 

are you trying to set your timing off the TDC mark or the actual timing marks?

 

i am trying at tdc. What other timing marks are you thinking of. I have both cam gears at 12 o-clock when the crank is at tdc. I just adjusted my cam gears a bit. About 5 degrees retard which gave me a perfect reading with the timing gun but the car ran like ****. I played around with the gears for awhile and finally got something a little better. Th gun gives a reading of about a half inch off of the tdc mark and it seems to run a little better. I have the distributor retarded all the way now with 2 degrees advance on both cam gears. I dont know why i cant get the car to run on OEM timing. It could be the cam gears, the pulley, the distributor, the check connection, the MSD set-up, or even the timing gun. Who knows... When I unscrew the oil cap at TDC, the cam says UP. That is correct unless I am horribly mistaked. I tried flippin' those cams every possible way, but nothing seems to run correctly when the timing gun gives a perfect reading. I am confused.

 

my timing gun lines up the timing on the timing marks, not the TDC mark.

 

is that common? I cant time this thing, i tried everthing, any other ideas?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jwbetley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


I have it jumped, i think. How do i know if it is in service mode? Either way... i am getting the same reading. </TD></TR></TABLE>

If your jumping it correctly you will see a difference in timing.Recheck how your jumping it.
Glenn

 

if your timing light is set on zero(if its and advance timing light) it will show the timing mark. Not the tdc mark.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jwbetley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So I have a b18b in a civic. It runs well, but i think it could run better. The timing is about an inch off of the TDC mark when I have the distributor all the way advanced.
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How close is it to the red mark? You know that's where it's supposed to line up, right?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jwbetley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I seem to have both cams advanced on tooth on the gears, but if i correct them, the car runs awful.

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You need to get your cams properly timed before setting the ignition timing, then go from there.

 

I think I got it into service mode. I decided to use a wire to connect them instead of a paper clip and the timing jumped back to a good point. I had to go to work so I guess that tommorow i will try to get this running right. thanks for the help