new distributor or a used one ???

 

new distributor assembly

 

i had already written all of the following (so disregard the part about the distributor (will leave it in case i need to cut copy and paste for someone else)).


it does not sound like the fuel/main relay; but since it is cheap enough (free) i would do that. but the part about the hard starting very much sounds like that relay - and i had that problem and solved it with the relay fix. did not have a solder sucker, but just did a careful resolder - and that problem is so prevalent.
here is the story:
http://techauto.tripod.com/mainrelay.htm

do not see many fuel delivery problem (insufficient fuel pressure; or regulator; or fuel injectors - but fuel injectors can be taken off and sent in and i think checked for just 5 bucks (more for total cleaning)).

But see many problems that are internal to the distributor. And i had a problem somewhat similar to yours and could not solve it and just had to keep driving until it went all the way. AND it did. Knoncked out going down the ramp of a highway. never would start. No spark. Never could find what was the problem in the dist. Had to get to work or i had to buy a new dist. If i knew how many of the honda's dist go out with mileage, i would have bought a new one when at about 140,000. can find one at a better price than. but needed one right away.