I just got a 98 civic ex with 200k that is completely bone stock everything.

I wanted to check the ignition timing to make sure it was set right (previous owner replaced distributor themselves)

This was my first time doing this and I’m second guessing if I adjusted it properly. It was off before the adjustment but not by much.

After the adjustment, it seems to have a lot better acceleration up to around 4000 rpms then it seems to slow down a bit and maybe get a little peppier around 5000 rpms. It feels like at higher rpms the exhaust is causing a restriction (best way I can describe it)

Is this normal for this engine when the ignition timing is properly set or should it be the opposite (slower until higher rpms)?

 

See if you can find any dyno charts for your stock engine. You might see a small dip in torque/power in the graph. That would indicate the behavior you describe. That may be the easiest way for you to confirm your question.

 

Good idea. Couldn’t find one for a completely stock setup I’ll keep searching.

Curious, how crucial is it to stand directly above the timing mark that looks like a V when setting timing? Can you look from different angles or does it skew it?

Is it best to have no lights on except for the timing light to see the markings better?

 

It can be skewed by not having the pointer in the V. And you can be a tiny bit off on ignition timing and you won't really notice much difference.

I had to retard one of my engines to stop pinging due to a thinner head gasket. The car didn't seem very much different in behavior but I knew it was down a little bit of power overall because of it. Engine ran just fine.

Advanced ignition timing can cause pinging (detonation) and that can be very detrimental. It usually takes a fair amount of advance or retard to make a noticeable impact.

 

I noticed there’s two “pointers” does it matter which one is used?

Or do you need to line up the bottom one between the top V?

 

The "two pointers" is the system used like a gun sight. The V is the upper mark that you want the bottom point in between for your line of sight. Then you adjust so the red mark lands in that line of sight.

Do you see how in the illustration the V, the pointer and the red mark are all in line if you were looking down birds eye view? That's precisely how you set ignition timing with your basic timing light once that car is fully warm (at operating temperature).

 

Yes thanks. Couldn’t find any info anywhere about lining up the two pointers. Everything I read/watched referenced only using the V.

It’s a little hard to line the two pointers from straight above. The power steering hose skews it but I’ll try again thanks

 

Had to use one eye and awkward angles but was able to line up the bottom pointer between the V during adjustment.

Got it to factory specs at 12* but I didn’t like how the car drove honestly. So I advanced it slightly to the left line of the 3 on the crank pulley (10 degrees?)

Seems to pull better now and has better throttle response. Think I’ll leave it like this.

Honda says to adjust to 12* +/- 2* so I’m technically within spec, but I’m wondering should I start using a higher grade gas or should be good with regular still?

 

If you "advanced" the timing to line up with the left of the three marks with the center one being red, then you are set at 14* and not 10*. If you are over timed, you may hear knock and will need to increase the octane of your fuel to eliminate it... or retard the ignition timing again until the knock abates.

 

Does the D16Y8 have a knock sensor? Don’t hear any knocking but curious if I should still go to next octane fuel just in case

 

It couldn't hurt... move to a higher octane and send it.