How to set timing on a 94 honda civic?

How do you set the timing on a 1994 Honda Civic hatchback V-tek?

• Answer:

  You need the engine up to normal operating temperature and then you need to have a timing light hooked up. The timing light is hooked to the battery terminals and the inductor is attached to the wire on cylinder #1. With the engine running, point the timing light down to the harmonic balancer (this is the big pulley coming off the crankshaft, with usually a number of belts on it). There should be a raised mark on the plastic cover of the timing belt that should line up with the center mark of the 3 tic marking on the balancer. If the marks line up you are fine, if not, loosen the three bolts on the distributor this should allow the distributor to move a short distance back and forth. Moving the distributor will move the timing and you should be able to line it up and then retighten the bolts on the distributor.