I had replaced my entire distributor on my 97 civic.. and I realize that I need to set the ignition timing after doing this, but the car won't start what so ever. All of my plugs are throwing spark, so the distributor is working.. but I just don't understand why it won't start? Anyone have a clue?

 

The ignition timing is either way off or 360 off. Down load the service manual for your car and re-install the distributor in accordance with it. After the installation, you would need to time it exactly "on time" using strobe timing light.

I myself have never done this job on a Civic but this is a procedure on any engine I ever worked on.

 

that's what im thinking.. the ignition must be way off... but in order to set the timing don't you need to use the timing gun on a running motor?

 

You probably installed the plug wires in the incorrect firing order on the distributor cap.

 

Thats what I first suspected, after trying a few diagrams.. I still have no luck.. and they should now be all correct.

 

The cylinders are ordered 4-3-2-1 as you go from the distributor to the timing belt. Make sure the wires are installed like this on the cap:

 

Wonderful manual excerpt... thank you so very much..
One thing I am not clear about is that Note. how exactly do you bring number 1 piston to top dead center? Maybe that is my issue?

 

Skip that step. It's unnecessary.

 

Hm, well if that is the case.. I'm beat. There is only 1 way for the distributor to fit. I removed it and rotated the rotor 180 degrees, and it would not "lock" into place as it will in it's prior setting... wires are all throwing spark... plugs are all good... I don't know what to do

It was running prior to taking the distrb off so somehow timing must be really outta whack...

 

So is the firing order definitely correct? What color is spark at the plugs? Does the fuel pump prime? Any CEL codes?