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Thread: question about setting ignition timing with timing light

  1. #1
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    question about setting ignition timing with timing light

    Hey guys, I finally have a timing light so that I can do this myself. The light is a basic one; it merely flashes the light, no tach, etc.

    I just connected it and tried using it. I see the timing pointer and one mark on the flywheel. I have them lined up. Does the flywheel only show one mark? I thought it is supposed to show one or more marks before and after the large mark I see, indicating varying degrees of advance or retard. Is this not true?
    Last edited by derolph; 08-16-2015 at 03:41 PM.
    1988 Accord LX-i 2-door coupe, 205K miles, updated 1/4/18.



  2. #2

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: question about setting ignition timing with timing light

    It's a complicated question really. There are a number of marks. The one with the "T" indicates top-dead-center. There is another that's supposed to have a number, indicating advance timing (vac advance connected). On mine, there was a red circle I can only assume indicated base timing (vac advance disconnected). The manual was never clear on that. There might have been another green circle that was a complete mystery.

    The timing instructions begin on p. 24-4 of the manual.

    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vtyhl48z5...udl0xk_Oa?dl=0
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

    Shop manual downloads available here: CLICK TO VIEW

  3. #3


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    Re: question about setting ignition timing with timing light

    Click image for larger version. 

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    might help. This ones for 5 speed.
    1988 Lxi owner since August 1995
    336k miles running strong!
    Now running E85.

    Oldblueaccord <<< MY YOUTUBE PAGE!

  4. #4
    LXi User
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    Re: question about setting ignition timing with timing light

    Thanks for the replies and the photo. The red mark with #15, shown in the photo, is consistent with the specs on the label under hood, which shows 15 +/-2, before TDC, as the normal timing. I haven't tried the using the timing light again yet, but now I know I should see that 15 degree mark, which I did not see when I had the timing light connected.

    I wonder whether I might need to remove the plugs so that I can manually turn the flywheel and search for that mark; perhaps it needs cleaning.
    Last edited by derolph; 08-24-2015 at 05:16 PM.
    1988 Accord LX-i 2-door coupe, 205K miles, updated 1/4/18.

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