ok so Ive read several places all saying basically the same thing about how to check. Im not a stranger to checking timing but my first couple results made me doubt what I was seeing.

Im using a snap on dial back timing light and even turning it to 60 wont quite get it to the mark. I did jump the connector. I have checked this prior to my mpfi swap and it was the same way so I know thats not it and actually the car runs and drives good so im not really sure my results are right!

My next thoughts are I do believe some back woods billy bob changed the timing belt right before the car sat 5 years so maybe its off a tooth?

Is the idle/ driveability gonna be very different if the timing is in fact off this much?

I know timing makes a large difference in some set-ups as it does in my nitrous sbc every 2* made 15-20hp on a dyno

 

Engine timing and ignition timing are two separate concepts.


1. You have to check the timing belt FIRST and make sure that crank and cams are all in spec. (If the engine is not in time, you will never get ignition timing correct.)
2. Once you have verified that the timing belt is good, Then you can use a timing light to adjust ignition timing. *Make sure that you connect the probe to the spark plug wire for cylinder 1.* Then look down the timing mark on the timing belt cover and see where the ignition timing is set.
3. If ignition timing needs to be adjusted, THEN you connect the jumper and move distributor to adjust ignition timing and line up the marks between the pointer and the crank pulley.

Hope that helps

D-Series Crank Marks @TDC for Timing Belt


D-Series Crank Pulley marks and Pointer
Yellow Arrows - Crank Timing Belt Marks
Red Arrows - Ignition timing marks



B16 Crank Pulley marks and Pointer



What the Marks on the Crank Pulley mean


Good Write-ups
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/mysterious-timing-mark-2573273/
http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/timing/timing.php
http://www.crxsi.com/repair/timing.belt/carank_mark.htm

 

different sohc have different timing marks.
if the timing is off 1 tooth it will idle fine and run fine but will be slow and laggy...
slow throttle response,