ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHECKING YOUR TIMING
There is one peculiarity of dual output coils that has to be taken into consideration when setting the timing on your Honda four cylinder engine. The dual output coils produce a positive voltage on one of the spark plug wires and a negative on the other. Most inductive timing lights are designed to work best with the negative wire because that is the polarity of a conventional distributor type automobile ignition. In fact, some timing lights will not work at all on the positive wire, but most timing lights will just be erratic if you clamp them onto the positive wire and that can cause an erroneous timing indication. Typically, the timing light will flash on the trailing edge of the current pulse to the spark plug which will cause you to see a retarded timing mark.
So, when checking your timing try both wires for each coil, 1 and 4, 2 and 3 to get the most stable light. Only one wire from each coil is negative, so find out which one that is and use it.
There is a way to test for the negative wire by holding a standard #2 pencil between the plug wire and the spark plug terminal with the engine running. The shower of electrons will show you the correct polarity wire:
So, before you make any adjustments to your timing or attempt to equalize the timing, make sure you are not connected to the positive plug wire. It can make a difference of several degrees.
Oh, and this doesn't just apply to PAMCO ignition system. It applies to all ignition systems including points that use a dual output coil.
