96 civic EX

If you replace the distributor, do you need to reset the timing?

Is there a short cut or easy way to do it without having to do the timing?

 

yes you do, but if you can get it close you will be fine. just line up the rotor on a specific cylinder and make sure its there before you tighten it down

 

Only the ignition timing would need to be set, I put in a new dizzy on mine recently and when i hooked up the timing light it was crazy how far off the timing was. You can always get a cheap harbor freight timing light and return it when your done with it i guess.

 

Is it possible to pull off the orig dizzy and reference where the rotor was and then just turn the new one to match the orig? can you turn the rotor by hand or will damage it?

 

You can get it close enough to run, but it should be checked with a timing light to be accurate.

 

just mark it before your take the old one off and align it as best as you can with the new one according to the markings you have made..and the check it with a timing gun as stated before.. make sure you jump the service connector before hand..