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1984 Honda CRX Timing?

Tiny
JKINARD
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  • 1984 HONDA CRX
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
This question is about a 1984 Honda CRX 1.3 5 speed. I changed the head gasket and rebuilt the carb. When I try start it, it just turns(cranks) but no starting. I looked at the "First Things To Check". I put gas in the carb, checked for spark (which looked kinda weak) and double checked the timing. The engine turns as if the timing is off. Does it make a difference if it is the exhaust or intake cycle as long as it lines up with the dist. #1 plug? The only thing left to check would be valve clearance or ignition coil resistance. Is this right or what should I do?
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Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 AT 11:28 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It sounds like the timing is out 180 degrees. Can you describe what it sounds like when you crank it? Does it try to start at all when you use starting fluid?
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Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 AT 12:41 AM
Tiny
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I did spray starter fluid in it and the engine would just spin without actually starting.
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Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
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When it cranks, does it sound like it has compression or does it spin like the plugs are out? As far as spark, are you getting a good snapping blue spark at the plugs?
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Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
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It spins as if the plugs were out. Maybe it is this. I lined up a "white dot" on the crankshaft pulley with the mark on the plastic timing belt cover. I think that might be wrong. I think I am supposed to line up the middle of the three notches on the pulley. Is that right?
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Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The timing is off. Check out this site for specifics on timing marks and let me know if it helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1984/make/honda/model/civic/1984_honda_civic_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm
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Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 AT 9:56 PM
Tiny
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That was it. Thanks a lot. It has been sitting up for several years and I didn't know if it would work. Two more questions though: 1. The engine "knocks" at low idle or when it is about to stop running. It sounds fine at regular speed. How do I stop the knocking? 2. If I wanted to do an engine swap, what is the best higher performance engine I could get that would fit this car? :1984 1.3 CRX w/ AC manual trans.
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Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 8:16 AM
Tiny
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Glad you got it running. As far as the knock, does it sound like a bearing knock? Do you ever hear it off an idle?

As far as the engine, we only recommend direct fit parts. However, I know there are tons of sites that offer that type of info. Many people I have known have ordered crate engines from Japan. Don't ask me what the difference is, but they produce more HP.
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Saturday, September 25th, 2010 AT 11:52 PM
Tiny
JKINARD
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Where would I locate the bearing for the knocking sound? O.K. Here is what is happening, after I set the timing correctly, I started the car by using starter fluid. To keep it running, I had to spray a steady light stream of fluid in the carb. I know that is a fuel line issue so I know what to do about that. The problem is that when I spray the fluid in the carb before the engine stops there is a knocking sound as it starts to rev up. Is that an engine issue or should I wait and take care of the fuel system first? I am not touching the accelerator at all. The engine revs from my spraying fluid into the carb. It doesn't knock during the entire cycle of the engine running. I other words, the knocking sound doesn't get faster and louder as the engine revs up and the engine. The knock stops after it revs up and the engine sounds normal.
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Monday, September 27th, 2010 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
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Fix the fuel issue first. The noise may be coming from using the starting fluid.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 AT 6:55 AM
Tiny
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OK, it's been too cold to work on my car so I'm just now getting back to it. It doesn't knock any longer. I think I found the fuel issue. It has a Keihin carburetor and I noticed that when I depress the accelerator (engine not running) I don't see a stream of fuel going into the carburetor. Should there be? And how do I fix it? Does it have something to do with the small holes at the accelerator pump body possibly being blocked? I rebuilt the carburetor and the float is adjusted to specs. The fuel pump works fine, new fuel filter and fuel gets to the bowl. I did a "wet" float adjustment with the window on the side of the carburetor. I just don't see that fuel jet steam going into the carburetor.
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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 4:00 PM
Tiny
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Yes, the accelerator pump should spray fuel when you hit the gas. Either the pump is bad or plugged.
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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
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OK, it's been too cold to work on the CRX so I'm just getting back to it. The knocking has stopped for now. I think I found the fuel issue. I rebuilt the carburetor using a kit. It is a stock Keihin carburetor. I noticed that when I depress the accelerator (engine not running), I don't see a stream of fuel going into the barrel. Should I and how do I fix it? Do I check the two small holes at the accelerator pump body for blockage? The fuel pump works fine. The filter is new. I did a "wet" adjustment on the float so fuel is getting to the carburetor and like is stated before, the engine cranks and runs fine as long as I spray engine starting fluid in the barrel while it is running.
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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
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Sorry, I sent the same message twice. I didn't think it went through.
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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
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If it only runs with starting fluid, there has to be a jet plugged that isn't allowing fuel to enter the engine. Even at an idle, the engine's vacuum draws fuel out of the carb to keep it going.
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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
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Thanks, I think that's it. I will let you know.
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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
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OK, I solved the carburetor problem. Sort of. Now the engine runs fine. As long as keep my hands over the carburetor barrel. I think this might be a vacuum leak issue. Am I right? Where do I start? PCV maybe? Intake manifold? This car has a lot of vacuum lines.
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Friday, March 25th, 2011 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
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IF you have to keep your hand over the carb, then it is getting too much air. So yes, you must have a vacuum leak. Check all vacuum hoses.
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Friday, March 25th, 2011 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
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Can you tell me where to find the pcv valve on this engine? It is not where the manual says it is.
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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IT should be on the valve cover.
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Thursday, April 14th, 2011 AT 12:59 PM

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