Timing marks off, advanced to the max

[jondaphenom114]

I have a 93 civic LX a/t which in a previous post I explained how I had sever lack of power problems. Well it seems as if I have found the problem. With the help of a mechanic, he discovered that my valve timing was off by 3 teeth on the belt. My guess tho is that he adjusted the belt with the distributor in the max advanced position (all the way towards the raditor) and now when I go to check the ignition timing at idle speed, it is approximately half way between TDC and the three marks. My performance improved by am I right in thinking that it will improve much more if my ignition timing is dead on which currently it is clearly not. I guess my question is how can I get this fixed so that my timing is up to spec. I apprecieate any pointers you guys might have. I'll probably have the mechanic I've been working with come back and take a look but if its something I can handle I might go ahead and do it myself. I'm thinking is that I should move the distributor back to about the middle, then the belt might need to be moved again, then check the ignition timing again and advance or retard as necessary. Am I on the right track here from what I've just said. Thanks again.

[Greenblurr93]

yep, your mechanic took the cheap easy way out instead of doing it right, take the belt off and set both cams to TDC also make sure the marks on the side of the cam gears line up, and the arrow points up. then reset your block to TDC but it all back together and fine tune it through your dizzy.

[Greenblurr93]

oh and get a new mechanic, you dont need one that will take the easy way out instead if doing it right.

[jondaphenom114]

I'm thinking of going about this myself because like you said I may need a new mechanic and there is no one I trust more than myself of course. Could someone break it down a little more in detail on what needs to be done here. (or point me to a good ref.) I saw my mechanic slip the belt off but I'm not sure how he did that. Reset my block to TDC? How is that done? Thanks again for the help and advice.

[Greenblurr93]

yes, go to www.helminc.com and buy the service maual for your car. its the same one shops use to work on cars, has everything u need and them some...awsome investment if youre going to work on your own car

[jondaphenom114]

ok, got the timing right on and what a world of a difference that makes. I'm still wondering a little about how much power my little civic should have. I've never driven anyone elses civic so I'm not sure. From a stop, should I be able to chirp the tires slightly. I do have an a/t so I know that a burn out isn't within reason. Not that I really want to do that anyway but I thought I would try to get some feel from other people to see just about how much pickup I should be feeling with a normally opperating car. Thanks for the pointers. by the way, I had the mechanic come back and get it done right. It took him 2 1/2 hours. I felt bad about that but he probably should have done it the right way the first time I guess.

[Greenblurr93]

its a civic, it was built just to get you to point A and B... and not really fast....