How do you advance or retard the spark on a 1987 Honda Civic DX?

Question

My 1987 honda won't start. We deduced that it's getting gas and it does get a spark, so now we are thinking it's with the timing. The engine turns over but never "pops"

Answer 1

RETARD-clockwise
ADVANCE- counterclockwise.

Make sure the timing belt is good, check base timing to see if it is off.

Answer 2

Pull the distributor cap off. Have someone bump the starter and pay attention to the rotor button rotation. To retard the spark the distributor housing is always turned slightly the same direction of the rotor. To advance the spark turn the distributor housing opposite the rotation of the rotor. Correct ignition timing can only be done with an inductive timing light. Consult the manual in the glove compartment in the specifications section the number of degrees before top dead center to set the timing.
Your car will not start until you have spark at the plugs. Pull one out with the ignition wire in place, ground the plug threads and have a second person spin the motor over with the starter. If you have no spark at the plug gap there's an electrical problem deeper in your ignition system.

Answer 3

the only way the timing could have got off, is if the timing belt jumped... since the distributor is driven off the cam.. just line up the marks & check... also, I'm assuming that you know its getting fuel, because you checked the fuel pressure.... you might want to make sure the injectors are pulsing..

Answer 4

Physicaly put a little gas in the intake to make sure before you start screwing with something that should never need adjusting. (unless you messed with it)

Answer 5

loosen the distributor hold down bolt and turn the distributor clockwise to andvance or counterclockwise to retard