Distributor Identification

**blackbird** · 12-17-2005, 05:20 PM

After 393k miles of faithful service, my Accord's distributor has decided to seize up. Replacement of this part appears to be easy enough, but I'm having trouble identifying if the distributor is a Hitachi or a Tec distributor. I'm wondering if there is any way of telling which one is which.

My Accord is a 1989 LX-i Manual transmission

I have located a donor car, which is a 1988 LX Manual transmission

Both distributors appear to be the same... so I'm hopeful, I'm sure a new distributor is big bucks...

Thank you in advance!

**Swap_File** · 12-17-2005, 05:39 PM

The Carbed accord has a slightly different distributor mounting system than the EFI Accord. I do not know if would be a problem or not.

If the donar car doesnt work out you might want to check out the local junkyards for parts. These old vacuum advance distributors are not in high demand, and are usually easy to find.

Locally these distributors are $25, but make sure to bring a MightyVac (or similar) to test for vacuum leaks.

Edit: Here is A20A1's post with a picture of the difference: https://www.3geez.com/showpost.php?p=551468&postcount=41

**Honda-Master** · 12-17-2005, 06:39 PM

if it has an outside square box ( ignitor ) then it is a TEC... Also most TEC have a plastic vacc advance unit versus HITACHI metal unit ,,, but go by where the ignitor is located

**greentee76** · 03-07-2008, 04:02 PM

I am moving this thread up as I have the same issue and the link in swap_file's post does not work for me. Can someone tell me a way to visually identify the difference in dizzys?