1991 honda prelude distributor will not turn far enough to set timing at 15 degrees BTDC

Hi Eric, Vehicles fitted with distributors using points (contact breakers) and condensers, which I believe is the case with your vehicle use a dwell angle setting. Initial setting is carried out with a feeler gauge. After replacing points and condenser, turn the engine until the rubbing block on the points is at the highest point against the distributor cam (at the centre of the distributor). Set the gap at 16 thousands of an inch or 0.45 mm. Inspect the front crankshaft fan belt pulley to identify the timing marks. Paint a white mark onto the pointer (fixed to the timing cover) and rotate the engine by hand until you see the timing scale on the crankshaft pulley. mark with white paint at 10 degrees BTDC and align the pulley to the pointer and set the points in the distributor (by releasing the locking bolt of the distributor body) to be at the exact point when it begins to open. Replace the cap and connect a stroboscopic timing light, start the engine and let it idle at normal idle speed and reset the ignition timing to the same marks painted with white paint. Don't forget to take all safety requirements seriously as you will be working on a running engine. Regards John

You will need a timing light....Start the engine and allow it to warm to normal operating temperature....disconnect the vacuum adavance--then slowly rotate the distrubtor while using the timing light to set it.
The timing mark for top dead center will be on the harmonic balancer, the pointer will be attached to timing chain cover, Set the timing as follows per engine size.
5.0L- BTDC 10° ± 2°
5.8L- BTDC 10° ± 2°
7.5L- BTDC 10° ± 2°

Turn off the engine and tighten the distributor bolt. Recheck the timing to verify that the timing did not move while tightening the distributor. Replace the shorting bar or vacuum line.

I hope this helps,

IGNITION TIMING IS 13 - 17 DEGREES BTDC AT 650 - 750 RPMS. YOU NEED A TIMING LIGHT.TO SET TIMING FIRST CHECK FOR ANY TROUBLES.MAKE SURE YOU HAVE NO CODES. NOW TO SET TIMING.APPLY PARKING BRAKE AND BE SURE THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK.START AND RUN ENGINE UNTIL IT GET OPERATING TEMPERATURE.RUN THE ENGINE ABOUT 2000 RPM FOR 2 MINUTES UNDER NO LOAD,TURN OFF ALL ELECTRICAL LOADS, DISCONNECT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR,BE SURE THE ENGINE SPEED IS 700 - 800 RPM. REV THE ENGINE 2 OR 3 TIMES TO 2000 - 3000 RPM AND RETURN THE ENGINE TO IDLE SPEED.CONNECT A TIMING LIGHT TO THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG WIRE AT THE DISTRIBUTOR END AND CHECK THE IGNITION TIMING BE SURE THAT THE TIMING POINTER IS POINTING TO THE 15 BTDC MARK ON THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY,EACH NOTCH ON THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY REPRESENT 5 DEGREES. IF THE TIMING IS NOT WITH IN THE SPECIFICATION, LOOSEN THE DISTRIBUTOR MOUNTING BOLT AND ADJUST THE DISTRIBUTOR UNTIL THE TIMING IS AT PROPER SPECIFICATION. TIGHTEN THE DISTRIBUTOR MOUNTING BOLT TO 10 - 12 FT LBS,STOP THE ENGINE AND CONNECT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR.

15 degrees BTDC according to autozone.com

1. Start engine and allow it to warm up until the cooling fan comes on.
   
2. Connect a timing light to engine; while engine idles, point light toward pointer on timing belt cover.
3. Inspect ignition timing at idle. Timing should be 15plus or minus2 degrees BTDC, using the RED timing mark, at 680plus or minus50 rpm in N .

1. If timing adjustment is necessary, complete following:

1. Remove control box upper cover and ignition timing adjuster from control box.
2. Drill 2 rivets off with a 1 / 8 in. drill bit, then separate stay cover from adjuster.

To set the timing the engine must be at operating temp, with car at idle remove vacuum line from the disturbutors vacuumadvance valve on the side of distributor and plug vacuum hose next with a timing light connected to battery and # 1 cylinder check the timing it should be at 8 degree btdc, i gave you a picture of timimg pointer and crank,it needs to be at 8 degrees, if not loosen cist hold bolt and turn dist to get 8 degrees. move slowly while watching with light. hope this helps.

Sounds like you have the timing belt off a notch or two. Set the crank pulley at the notch and TDC then remove the top screws on the belt cover and pull the cover back far enough to shine a light to check the cam pulley mark against the notch it should align with !

I think one must adjust the timing by advancing or retarding the ignition timing, not by adjusting the timing light.

If you are trying to set the BASE timing, you probably need to connect the orange/red and green/white wires of the blue service check connector with a jumper wire. The blue service check connector is located on passenger side under the dashboard.

The timing mark for this vehicle is on the flexplate / flywheel, and is usually located by removing a little rubber stopper or lifting off an inspection cover.

The timing is PROBABLY 15 degrees BTDC +/- 2 degrees. Be aware that many hondas PRIMARY ignition mark IS 15 degrees BTDC, NOT ZERO... so when you line the pointer and the flash up with the line, it is properly adjusted.

DISCLAIMER: I am (clearly) not a certified auto mechanic. Go check out and read a service manual from your local library. Your mileage may vary...

Ignition Timing

1. CAUTION: Parking brake control should be applied.
   Depress the parking brake pedal, and warm the engine to the normal operating temperature.
2. Turn off all electrical loads.
3. Start the engine and rev it to 2000-3000 rpm two or three times and allow the engine to return to the idle.
4. Check the idle speed. The idle speed should be between 700-800 rpm in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) position.
5. NOTE: Make sure that the timing pointer is pointing to the 15° Before Top Dead Center (BTDC) mark on the crankshaft pulley. Each notch on the crankshaft pulley represents 5 degrees.
   Check the ignition timing with a timing light.
6. If the marks are not aligned, loosen the distributor bolt and turn the distributor to make the adjustment. The ignition timing should be between 13°-17° BTDC.

0 degrees BTDC would be the spec , there is a brown w/tan tracer wire near the distributor , you have to disconnect the connector before setting timing