Dizzy = distributor.

The blade on the distributor shaft is off-center, but it CAN be put in backwards if you force it. Just pay attention & you'll be OK.

For 1997 & older, the distributor mounting holes are slotted, for adjusting the spark timing. THAT's the marking that MessAround is talking about. On Skramer's 1999 the spark timing is controlled by a crankshaft sensor so his distributor mounting holes are not slotted.

 

this place has the best online cost that I could find as everyone wanted $15+ just for shipping.
Total cost was just over $6

O-Ring, 26.4x3.1, 30110-PA1-732, Prelude TEC

 

My local dealer charged $2.18 for the part. I have not changed it yet. In regards to my 97, I don't see any slotted mounting holes on the distributor. Let us know how it goes.

 

My local dealer is around a 120 mile round trip so that was the best price for me.

 

Over to the left of this picture you can see the slotted mounting holes I mentioned. It's strange that yours aren't like that...?

 

So I changed out the o-ring. It appeared to be the problem as there was some oil residue inside the joining plates when I removed the distributor. I was overly cautious about moving that fork on the dist. I was a little concerned at first as the o-ring wasn't broken or missing and looked ok. I had to snip it to get it off and noticed it was rock hard and had no flex to it. When I bent it back it stayed bent and you could see a lot of little cracks in it like an old fan belt or something would get over time. I put the new one on and was slightly concerned that it didn't fill up the entire channel it was laying in. But I just continued on and the car started right up. It appears to be ok so time will tell I guess.

 

Glad you got it fixed. I've been holding off replacing the one on my 97; I've had the new O-ring for a couple months now. Were the mounting holes on your distributor slotted?

 

Sorry for the delayed reply. What do you mean slotted? I had 3 bolts holding the distributor on and I made a scratch mark on top where it connects to the engine. I just pulled the dist. off and changed it out, the put it back the same way. It was actually very easy except for that rear/bottom bolt. It was a real booger for me to get a socket too, but I figured it out. I was overly cautious with the dist. as I didn't want my car to sound like a harley davidson by messing the timing up. I really think if you just go slow and methodical its not a big deal at all.