I have a friend with an 84' civic hb. I know it is carb. model (EW1 motor mabye?) he is trying to time it (new wp and tb) and swears to me (I haven't been over there yet to look for myself) that he can't put a small screwdriver, dipstick, etc to find TDC on cylinder #1, says after he pulls the plug something seems to be in the way? He smoking crack or is there something odd about his engine I don't know about? Either way, anybody have any experience/suggestions on how I can tell him to time his piece? thanks guys!

 

some honda engines do not have the spark plug inside of the actual combustion chamber

i remember the 87 accords, had this lil screen thingy on it... and the plugs was still inside the head and not in the chamber...
weird i know...
hes better off checking the marks on the block , and head

 

The 84-87 civics dont have the spark plugs over top of the pistons, so the screwdriver method will never work. They are threaded in through the FRONT of the head, not the top.
I know this well. I had an 86 hatch for over 3 years and did a LOT of work on it...

Like stated before. Use the timing marks on the block/head and it will work out fine.

Later,
BR

 

thanks alot, guess I will ride by his house and try and help him find his timing marks. sounds like they might be covered in grease or something along those lines. thanks for the tips guys.