I recently installed a new distributor in my 90 civic DX, but getting the thing to start has been a b!tch. I've been doing this
1: Cylinder 1 at TDC
2: Ignition Rotor pointed at Cylinder one.


I've been putting the "up" marker on the camshaft pulley at the 12 o'clock position more or less to find TDC.
Also took off the spark plug and felt that it was on the compression stroke.

Is it really that hard or should the car just start right away when installing the dizzy?
I don't want to have a mechanic do it 'cause I just don't have the moolah right now so I'd really appreciate some advice. Maybe I'm not doing something right or maybe I'm forgetting to do something.

The car did start three times yesterday after playing with the dizzy while cranking it and it sounded like it was running fine. But when I'd shut it off and try to start it again nothing. The second time it started I let it run and it ran for about a half hour without any problems but when I revved it, it just started smoking real bad, sputtered and just died. Third time I was halfway around the block before it just sputtered and died.

The thing is that I don't really have anyone to help out while I'm trying to start it so is this something that can be done alone ?

It's really kicking my ***

 

it sounds like you are one tooth off on your timing belt

 

If you have a haynes manual or something similar to that, read it . It should give you the exact steps to finding TDC(Top Dead center) And the necesary steps to positioning everything to spec. - Darrell

 

The car drove fine before so I don't think that its a problem with the timing belt.

I'm so F***ing pissed at myself. I bought a hayes repair manual almost 3 weeks ago and just now that I'm looking at the cover I notice that it says Honda Accord.
How stupid of me. Where are the timing marks that need to be alligned on the civic though?
Can someone maybe list the steps involved with installing the distributor and starting the car.


Modified by blacktallon2000 at 11:05 AM 7/6/2004