i have a 97 accord, 4 cylinder non v-tech. and i was wandering if you can help me with the timing. do you need to put it in base timing before you time it up, and if so how? and what would be the recomendation of the idel rpms? thanks, Ryan.

 

What are you doing for a tune up? Replacing spark plugs, etc?

If so, you really don't have to adjust the timing, unless you moved the distributor housing (not the cap).

The timing is set by the timing belt, obviously. The fine adjustment is done by rotating the distributor. The acceptable range is 15 +/- 2 degrees BTDC. You would need a timing light to check this.

The idle speed should be 700 +/- 50 rpm when the engine is warmed up. If that is out of spec, you can adjust using the procedure in the shop manual. You can download a 94 shop manual from the links in the Online Manuals thread in the DIY section. The 94 is almost identical to your 97.

 

Well on the 97 I don't think you can swing the dist.
Just have the engine at full operating temp all loads & cooling fans turned off.
Then look at the timing with the idle around 750 RPM in park/neutral. [spec should be on underhood sticker.]
The ECU controls the timing by way of the crank angle sensor.
Thats why it's bad when people jack the throttle cable to adjust the idle up; what happens then is the ECU sees the TPS signal and advances the timing a little bit; meanwhile you are standing there with your timing light at 'seemingly' correct Idle rpm, yet the timing is off.
I've seen that movie ;-[