Which cars at the junkyard will have the correct dizzy for my stock 1990 civic Si? (1.6 liter engine) I would prefer not to spend my hard earned money on parts I can't use. Is there any way to test a distributor in a junkyard before I purchase it?

 

Only the Si/EX will have the correct distributor and I believe the CRX HF and Wagovan RT4WD is the same too.

 

I just replaced mine, all of the parts stores here wanted anywhere from 160-215 plus core for a new or rebuilt one.
I ordered one online for about 47 dollars new w/ warranty.

The only issue with it was the bracket for adjusting it for timing the mechanic said was slightly too small and they cut a small piece out so that it could be advanced just a hair more to make it in time correctly. After they did that, it is running perfect.

My family has operated a salvage yard since 1957, I mostly do the office work and book keeping but I know that a Dist. is not something we typically give any guarantee on if it is used.

That's just our policy on any parts that could be considered "electrical" components.

 

I was going to provide you with a link where I bought mine, it ended up being $50 and some change with shipping and a brand new dist. But when I went to their site to find it again and get you a link it is claiming they don't have that part, So I don't know if I bought the last one or not Either way it was Autopartswarehouse.com the part number was REPH314104

 

According to the guy at the junkyard that was looking at something on his computer the only cars that would have the correct distributor for my 1990 Civic Si are 1990 or 1991 Civic Si or CRX Si.

 

My understanding is that the dist from a 1.6 honda engine is what you need, I know they came in civics and crx, not sure if they ever put them in anything else. But from what I have read in our hollander manuals at our shop and online 90-91 si of any honda was 1.6, any non si honda in those years had a smaller engine.
It's your choice but if I were you I would just buy a new one. Used parts from salvage that contain electronics generally do not carry a guarantee, at least that's how we sell anything electronic at our salvage yard, as-is no warranty.

And after changing mine then having to pay someone to put it back into time properly I just don't think that is a part I would want to risk buying used.

 

any mpfi distributor from 88-91 will work is what i have been told.