Mechanical timing is set perfectly, but when I check ignition timing with my non-adjustable timing light it's way off. As in, it hits almost halfway between the 3 timing marks and the one mark that's by itself. AND, my distributor is turned all the way forward (retarded?)just to get it to that point.

-B18b1 block
-B18a1 head
-Block was decked
-Head has been surfaced 2-3 times over the years
-Brand new Gates timing belt
-Brand new OEM water pump, tensioner and spring

Any insight, ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Go back through and check the tensioner and timing belt alignment.

 

I agree with Bently. Please let us know if you figure it out.

 

When doing electrical timing are you installing jumper in the CEL plug? 94

 

Tension is good and all the timing marks line up perfect, when the engine is off.

 

Yessir.

 

Was this during installation? Did you rotate the Engine to verify?

 

Before installation, before first start up and after driving it a good bit.

 

So...no ideas?

 

Nobody?

 

Wow!
All the "Honda Masters" on here and NOBODY can help?

 

You are turning the dizzy the wrong direction. You need to turn it back towards the intake manifold (advancing it). With the timing light, your target is the middle of the 3 marks. The single mark on the pulley is for zero degrees ignition timing. The B18B/A has an ignition timing of 16 degrees BTDC at idle.

Shoot for the 3 marks. NOT the single mark.

When you put a jumper in the SCS connector it simply prevents the ecu from making timing corrections while you turn the dizzy. It does not give you zero degrees. It holds your idle ignition timing at 16 degrees or whatever is on your timing map.

If you max out the dizzy all the way to the back and it still doesn't get to the center of the 3 marks you will need to get adjustable cam gears, degree your cams, and then adjust the dizzy once again. When ever the head is resurfaced, it lowers the distance between the cams and the block. This will retard the cams. And since the dizzy is synched with the intake cam, your ignition timing will also retard. You can compensate for this phenomena by installing adjustable cam gears to bring everything back to factory specs (if that's your goal).

I hope I helped!