G2IC: Teg Tips

The Generation 2 Integra Club and those posting these tips stress that performing these tips/tricks are at your own risk.
No one will be held liable for error / injury but yourself.

Advanced Timing.

Timing @18 deg BTDC works well... More power and MPG! However, you have to use Premium Fuel. Ignition timing should be 16 +or- 2 degrees BTDC. That means you can run the car reliably in 14 or 18 BTDC.

To advance your timing properly (as directed in the manual), you need a timing light. A timing gun with adjustable knob is recommended. I think you can borrow one from any auto parts store. And Yes, the way to advance your ignition is to turn the distributor counterclockwise (toward the firewall).

*NOTE: Before attempting this make sure you have high octane fuel 92 or better.

1) Since you will be turning the distributor to adjust, loosen the distributor housing bolts slightly (not the distributor cap screws).

2) Find the "Timing adjustment connector" under the dash (passenger kick panel area). This connector has a green/white wire & a brown wire. You need to connect the two somehow (do not cut into the wires). Connect them by using a jumper wire (bent paperclip).

3) Start the engine and let it warm up to normal operating temperature.

4) Connect timing gun. The timing light has connectors to your car battery (+ & -), and a Clip for hugging the #1 cylinder spark plug wire. Clip the Cyl#1 spark plug wire (dont disconnect wire from spark plug). Then, connect + & - to the car battery. The timing gun will emit a strobe light when the trigger is pulled. Locate the marker (aiming point) on the timing belt cover. It is located above the crank pulley and its the one you'll be aiming at.

5) Adjust the timing knob on the timing gun at +18deg. Aim the light down towards marker on timing belt cover and the crank pulley.

6) You should see the red timing line on the crank pulley. This is the line that you have to line up with the marker on the timing belt cover. With your left hand, turn the distributor until the timing line on the crank pulley lines up with the marker.

7) When both are aligned, tighten the distributor housing bolts, disconnect the timing light and your jumper wire under the dash. Done!

*Note: If you couldn't find the red mark on your crank pulley, you'll have to make it visible somehow. The marks sit inside grooves on the crank pulley. With motor off, I used a red pen to remark the timing line.

Romans

NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR

I personally believe that the current Teg Tip submission for fiddling with the Integra's ignition timing is well explained. However, it can be improved upon IMHO. Therefore, my version of this Teg Tip will be more of a supplement to the first.

The first Teg Tip actually shows a good example of the 3 dash marks etched on the crank pulley for timing reference - I strongly suggest that you read that, and pay close attention to the figures shown in that writeup.

In this article, I will not go into any detail regarding octane requirements, what's good, what's bad, etc. I will stick to only what needs to be done in order to check & adjust your ignition timing. I will actually do a full writeup on octane ratings and how it affects G2 Integras soon which I would like for everybody to share their thoughts on. I just would not like to discuss that here.

INTRO

Task: Check & Adjust Ignition Timing (or Advance Ignition Timing - for the people that use the search button....hehehehehe).
Difficulty: Easy
Cars Applicable: 90-93 Integras (RS, LS, GS US & Canadian models) - more particularly, cars fitted with the B18A1 engine. It MAY apply to GS-R models fitted with the B17A and/or cars fitted with the B16A 1st Gen.
Car Used in This Guide: 1992 Integra GS 4dr. Auto w/a B18A1.

Tools Required

- 12mm box wrench
- Jumper Wire (Paper clip will do)
- Inductive Timing Light

When it comes to the Timing light, you don't have to go fancy. I bought mine for $55CAN which was the cheapest available. You may opt to get ones that come with Tachometers, but since G2 Integras come with a factory Tach., you don't really need to spend on anything more fancy.

STEP 1

Please do the work in an open space with adequate air flow. You may suffer from Carbon Monoxide poisoning as a consequence.

The first thing to do is to make sure that the engine is warmed up. Let the engine warm up to normal engine temperatures (radiator fan should come on at least once). Idle RPM should be at factory specs. (750RPM roughly).

Turn the engine off, and underneath the passenger-side kick panel, look for this terminal (see Fig. 1). You may have to remove the plastic kick panel in order to access it. Connect a jumper wire in the terminal to create a connection between the green/white and brown terminal (see fig. 1).

Fig. 1 - Connect Green/White And Brown Terminal using Jumper Wire.

STEP 2

Open the hood. If you have not done any engine work in the past, familiarize yourself with some of the engine components that will be discussed in this guide (see fig. 2).

Hook up the Inductive timing light by connecting the positive jumper cable to the positive battery terminal, negative jumper cable to the negative battery terminal, and the inductive pickup on Spark Plug Wire #1 (see fig. 2).

Fig. 2 - Hookup Inductive Pickup on Spark Plug Wire #1.

STEP 3 - CHECKING IGNITION TIMING

Turn on the engine. With the engine running, turn on the timing gun and point it down the driver side where the engine pulleys are. Fig. 3a shows that you should place the timing gun on the right hand side of the engine mount. This will give your head enough space to peak down on the engine main pulley to see the timing pointer (fig. 3b).

Here is the confusing part. Unfortunately, LL Cool B and I didn't have time to turn the engine at TDC in order to see the 3 hash marks on the main pulley (and thus couldn't take a pic). This is where you should refer to the first Teg Tip regarding Advance Timing. That will show an excellent pictorial on where the 3 hash marks are located. I've quickly created an half-a$$ version of that (see fig. 3c).

The 3 ||| marks are etched on the side of the main engine pulley. So, when you point the timing light (make sure it is on of course) on the timing pointer (fig. 3b), you should be able to see these 3 hash marks close to it.

Now, the middle hash mark refers to 16 deg. BTDC which is stock. The hash mark closest to the passenger compartment is 14deg., and the hash mark closest to the headlight is 18deg. What you need to do first, is to keep note as to where your timing pointer is relative to these 3 hash marks before proceeding in adjusting your timing. REMEMBER: To look at the timing pointer directly above it, NOT on an angle. Otherwise, you will get false readings.

Fig. 3a - Where to position the timing gun.

Fig. 3b - Where is that bloody Timing Pointer?

Fig. 3c - My poor attempt to show you the 3 hash marks. The 3 ||| marks are the hash marks on the edge of the pulley.

Engine side
=====|||=======
| ALT. BELT HERE | Towards Firewall
==============
Fender side

STEP 4

If you are not satisfied with the current ignition timing of the vehicle, you can adjust it. Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b shows the 3 hold-down bolts that hold the distributor in place. Yes, the third hold-down is hard to see on the pic, but I've shown you the general location and it will look exactly the same as the rest of the hold-down bolts.

Before you touch these bolts, you might want to turn off the engine first just to be on the safe side (in case the wrench slips and/or falls, at least it doesn't have a running engine to deal with ).

Using a 12mm box wrench, LOOSEN these 3 bolts. Do not Remove them.

Fig. 4a - The first 2 hold-down bolts

Fig. 4b - The 3rd hold-down bolt. It's there somewhere

STEP 5 - ADJUSTMENT

Once the 3 bolts are loose, turn the engine back on. In order to adjust the timing, you must turn the distributor. Fig. 5 shows you which way to turn the distributor in order to achieve an advance or a retard in timing.

Fig. 5 - Which way to advance or retard.

STEP 6

Once you are happy with your desired timing setting, temporarily tighten the top hold-down bolt and recheck the timing (to make sure the timing is still correct). You may then proceed tightening the rest of the bolts (turn off the engine if you do not feel comfortable). Once all 3 are tightened (DO NOT OVER TORQUE), recheck the timing again and adjust if necessary.

Do not forget to remove the jumper wire underneath the passenger side kick panel. Undo the timing light and close the hood. Take the car for a spin.

CONCLUSION

Yes, I did not discuss as to how far you should advance your timing, what gas to use, etc. Like I said, I will discuss that in another post because I believe that it will be a good debate topic. If the images do not show, you may visit the album at Imagestation here:

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291593117

N FUL FX - I hope you can append this to the existing Teg Tip about ignition timing. Thanks.

Any questions/comments, either post 'em here or email me at [email protected] Please type on the subject line, "RE: Integra Ignition Timing" or something to that effect as I get a lot of junk mail.

Regards,
-OZ
[email protected]

Thanks LL Cool B - For using his car as a guinea pig
====================

When torquing the distributor mounting bolts (12mm), make sure you pay attention to the 17 lb-ft limit. If you don't already have a torque wrench, it's time to pick one up.

Also... when advancing or retarding your timing, it may be easier to 'move' the distributor by putting a thick cloth or towel over a medium sized wrench and 'tap' lightly in the direction your want to adjust (i.e. towards the windshield to advance or towards the headlights to retard).

I am not sure if Oz mentioned this or not, but to keep things simple is important. After you have jumped the service connector under the pass. side dash, make sure that the timing light is connected properly (you should see the 'flashes' show up on the check engine light on the dash.

One more in the name of simplicity... Get the nose of the gun as close to the hash marks as you can -- it will make them more visible. The stock 16 deg BDC setting is the RED mark (if that helps).

-NEEX