88 Accord Timing

Hello,

Could someone let me know the correct timing procedure for this car.
My accord is a automatic and has the distributor with the two vacuum hoses
on it.

I tried per a Clinton manual and it indicates to remove and plug the two
vacuum hoses on the vacuum advance ( I do have this on mine style of carb).
However, if I remove the left one as you face the engine, it really runs
bad. Prior to making any changes the timing light was on the first white
mark closest to the timing light. I went ahead and timed it with the hoses
attached and set the timing on the red mark per the manual. I suspect this
is incorrect, however it does seems to run better. But I think it could run
a little better if I got it correct. Have one red mark in the middle of two
white marks for the timing marks.

Could someone please let me know if you have any ideas?

Thanks,

Terry

Hello,

Thanks for the information. What I can not figure out is if you disconnect
the vacuum hoses, it runs so bad I don't think the timing light is even close

to any timing marks? It sounds like when my vac hoses were connect it was at
0 degrees per the white mark?

Wish the manuals would only cover one model etc. Its sort of a pain to make
sure your're always following instructions for the correct model.

Let me know if you receive this ok since I have another questions for ya.
I think you answered a previous email for someone else conerning idealing .

I'm at 193K.

Headknocker wrote:
>>Hello,
>>
>[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>>
>>Terry
>
>I have an '88 Accord and I have always felt the directions for setting the
>timing to be a little confusing. It also doesn't help that the directions in
>my Haynes manual and the Factory Service manual don't jive.
>
>I used the directions in the Haynes manual (which coincides with those in
>your Chilton manual) the first time I did the procedure and the timing was
>WAY off since I was setting it at 15 degrees BTDC(the red mark). Per the
>Factory Service manual, the timing should at 4 degrees BTDC with the vacuum
>hoses plugged although I don't ever recall seeing that mark.
>
>You actually set it correctly. Keep the hoses connected and put your auto
>trans in gear (using the emergency brake to hold it) and align the pointer
>with the RED mark. That's IT.
>
>I was baffled by this myself and I came to the conclusion that the folks at
>Haynes and Chilton misunderstood Honda's instructions. The only real reason
>to remove to vacuum hoses is to check if the vacuum advance is working
>properly..which is done with a vacuum pump gauge.
>
>BTW, my '88 is still running like a top at 239,000 miles. I'm amazed at the
>thing.