I drive a 1994 Civic EX with a 1.6L Vtec and automatic tranny. My question is if a car has lets say 150,000 plus miles on it, can the timing belt be so worn out that the distributor adjusting slots get maxed out during adjustment? If I take out the mounting bolts I can adjust the timing correctly, but with the end of the slots past the bolt holes now I can't tighten the distributor! Is it possible to use a file or something to make the slots longer so the bolts will fit? The manual says to adjust the timing via the red mark on the pully, but I can't get near it without making the adjustment slots longer! Sounds like it would work to me!

 

i think youre looking at the wrong mark on the pulley, either that or you have it on the wrong wire. make sure its on the #1 wire, then aim the light at the one line in the middle of the three that are close together. i hope thats what it was. good luck.

 

Well I 100% positive I have the timing light on the right S.P. wire, but my Chiltons says (and I quote) "Connect a timing light and check timing using the red timing mark." Like I said if I take out the distributor bolts and turn the distributor and I can line up the red mark, and if I'm thinking correctly (I usually have a brain cloud) the red mark is between the other 2 marks! I'm about ready to pull my hair out and kick the dog if I don't figure this out!