Anyone have any links or info on how I can set proper timing with a timing light?
Do I need to loop the plug on the passenger side?
It is a basic timing light with no options.

what do the 3 marks before the tdc mark on the crank pulley means?

I I I I

is it 12-14-16 tdc
16 14 12 tdc
or I'm completely off?

I have an adjustable cam gear that I need to use to compensate for my head milling, and the cam gear already has to be moved since its from a 96-00 civic on a 92-95 head (4.75'' difference) so I need to set it using a timing light.

What is the difference between setting cam timing and distributor timing and how do I set them both?

Thank you very much I will be doing this soon and I have no idea how to start.

 

Most importantly, how do I set my mechanical timing?

 

Ignition Timing- Warm the car up to normal operating temp. Turn the car off and jump the correct connector near the ECU. Start the car and check that it is idling at normal speed. Connect the light's pickup to the plug wire nearest the timing belt and the pos. and neg. to the battery. Find the notch on the plastic timing cover. Point the light along the notch at the crank pulley and pull the trigger. Make sure the notch lines up with the middle of the three marks each time the light flashes. If it doesn't, turn off the car, adjust the distributor's position and retest.

Valve timing- The fourth timing mark on the pulley that is by itself is the TDC mark. You can use this mark to set the crank at TDC. When the crankshaft is at TDC, the UP mark on the cam gear should be pointed roughly upward and the two notches on the gear should be parallel to the bottom of the cylinder head. Use a straightedge (or two) to level the gear. Be careful not to disturb the crank gear's position while setting the cam gear. Never turn one gear seperately from the other except to slightly adjust it into the correct position. Never turn the crank backwards. Always turn in the direction the wheels turn when moving forward.

This isn't a complete how-to. You should purchase a maintenance manual and follow the steps provided.

 

Best summary I've found yet.

 

Is it true the idle has to be perfect to set the timing?

 

everything i've read in the past two hours suggest these two things:

1. The timing can be adjusted at any rpm, and many don't have a tach, but it will end up being off a bit.

2. The timing should always be taken at around 750 rpms.


However, my car doesn't have a tach, and using an external one last fall the lowest successful idle i could get was 1200rpms. So I do my timing at 1200.

I'm not entirely clear of the implications of this.

 

Looks just you're on the right track. I also wanted to add that depending on the year and model of the vehicle (Honda) you also have to jump the service connector to stop the ECU from adjusting the ignition timing while you're adjusting it. On my last few Hondas it has been in the kick panel in a fake plug with 2 wires on it. Jump it with a piece of wire or a paperclip. The CEL will illuminate to show you're in service mode.

 

I'm jumping the right connector, but no cel?

Also, how do I tell where 750rpms is without a tach?

 

Holy crap, really? http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/engin...340401811?mt=8 rpm gauge for iphone?