I have a 93 Civic EX that I am trying to set the timing on but if I have the distributor turned all the way to the left as you face it, I am still about 20deg advanced. I replaced the timing belt back last March before I went to FL and made sure everything was lined up correctly. However, I hear it spark knocking like a bitch when I gas it up with regular and only gets about 25 mpg (it automatic). But when I put premium in, it runs like a top and gets around the low 30's. At first I thought it was the p28 ecu doing it so I bought a p08 for it and I still can't get the timing set on it. Here is the kicker though. IT RUNS AWESOME! No skips, no bogs, no problems until I put regular in it and you can hear it spark knocking like a bitch.

After changing computers, distributors, lower crank gear key, and replacing the timing belt, I have come to the conclusion that the lower cam gear has "slop" causing the cam gear to suffer from retardation (attempt at being funny) and the only thing I can think of to fix this issue is to find an adjustable cam gear. If I am not mistaken, the dizzy should be closer to the middle when its adjusted to 16 degrees. I am afraid that if I set it back a tooth, it will run like *** and Ill be pissing up a rope. I need ideas and opinions to fix this dilemma.

 

Most likely, your mechanical timing is off by one tooth on the timing belt.

 

Make sure you are jumping the service check connector before you check the timing. This will override the ECU idle/ignition controls and allow you to set the base timing accurately..

 

Let me also add that I have been doing this for a few years. It was like this before I did a timing belt swap with a new Honda belt back last march before I left for Florida. I believe it was last March when I did this and everything is lined up almost perfect. I want to say that any Honda engine runs like complete dooky when the mechanical timing is off a tooth. Its almost like I am off a half tooth if that makes any sense. I have been around the block a few times with these single dingles. I also forgot to mention that this is a D15B VTEC and not a D16Z6. The engine was also shipped to me this way so I am sure that it isn't something I have done.