I recently did a wire tuck (only cut and extended one wire at a time to prevent crossing wires) and replaced the stock cap, rotor, and coil with MSD varients. It was running terrible under 1,500 rpms, so I checked my ignition timing. I had it at about 0 degrees BTDC, so when I went to set my timing, the best I can get is 5 degrees BTDC with the distributor turned all the way to the firewall. I've confirmed that cam timing is perfectly set at TDC on the compression stroke. Any ideas? I've posted this question on many forums with no knowledgable response. People keep saying to get an aftermarket solution, but the problem should be able to be corrected with stock parts. Thanks in advance.

 

Bump for some help!

 

45 views, but no clues? Come on Honda fans. Help me out!

 

Do you think it's something to do with the MSD rotor?

Most people say that the honda oem parts in the dizzies work best and a lot of people making a lot of horsepower are still on honda ignition systems.

I'm just kind of guessing on all of this since nobody else really posted but the rotor seems it could be the problem.

You have stock cam gear(s) right?

 

That's kind of my question. Have other people had problems when installing an MSD rotor? Cam gears are stock. The only relevant mods are those that I listed in the first post. I'd hate to buy an OEM cap and rotor only to find out that doesn't fix the problem.

 

I know what you mean. Know any friends who have some spare dizzies and will let you try a rotor?

 

Nope! Would have done that already.

 

Rotor spin / backwards install?

 

There's no way to install it incorrectly. Only fits one way.

 

Are you jumping the SCS connector before trying to set your timing?

 

Yes (not that it made a bit of difference).

 

Bump for some help.

 

I run an MSD cap rotor and off board "Blaster" coil, and have for many years, without any issues at all.
With that said, it is possible you have a defective cap or rotor, have you pulled the cap and inspected the rotor and the inside of cap for signs of damage, carbon arcing/tracing?
I would also check all connections in the distributor, [to coil and ICM], the coil and/or the ICM could also be the problem, maybe it's a fuel problem, when was the last time the fuel filter was changed?
What kind of fuel pressure do you have? 94

 

The rotor and cap are brand new, so there's no sign of damage. Haven't checked for fuel problem since all was well before installing these MSD parts. All wires are connected (can't imagine it would start if they weren't). If you know how to test for bad distributor, please post.

 

Wires may be connected, the question is how good is the connection, tight or loose? 94

 

Soldered, heat shrinked, and a nice tug before putting on the wire loom. I'd be extremely surprised if that was my problem. There are quite a few wires though, so if someone knows how to test them, I'm waiting for an expert reply. I'm sure certain wires should have a certain voltage, and others should or shouldn't have continuity, but I don't know the details of what should have what.

 

Bump for some help. Still haven't fixed problem. Took car to electrician who said my connections are good. Said problem might be my CPU, but I don't know anybody with a Prelude VTEC. I bought a new fuel filter that I still need to install. Any other suggestions of what might cause severely retarded timing?

 

Might be a dumb suggestion... but are you sure you have the plug wires on the cap right... You might have started with number one on the wrong place

 

Not a dumb suggestion. When I called MSD, that's exactly what they told me to check; however, I do have the wires installed correctly.

 

Turns out I'm an idiot. Didn't read the instructions on how to use a timing gun. Didn't realize that there were two ways to time, set gun to 15 degrees BTDC and line up the TDC mark (white) on the flywheel, or set the gun to zero, and line up the 15 degree mark (red) on the flywheel. I made up a third way and was trying to set it to 30 degrees by setting the gun to 15, and trying to line up the 15 degree mark on the flywheel. Good thing the distributor adjusts only so much. Now I know!