l have had the timing done and l am getting ready to replace the distributor. It is a 1996 honda civic HX and it does not have the get up and go l used to. l have to retard the timing on the distributor just so l can take off with any power, and l mean completely retard it. The only thing l can think of is that it is a timing issue but the mechanic said he did it right, andthat l did something to it. l am out of ideas plz help.
Okay so l checked the timing and used the manual , but everything seems to be fine. l am about to give up and just drive it till l can buy a new engine. l think it might be cheaper than taking it to a mechanic that is just going to tinker around and charge me an arm and a leg.

have the engine overhauled

l am thinking its something internal with the engine. If you retard the timing before then you may/could have bent something.

You should check that the timing belt was installed properly. l mean really check. Use the manual. This is the exact symptom of the belt being off by a tooth.

That car never had power.

Learning as much about ur car & fixing as many things as u can on ur own helps u avoid dishonest mechanics.

If ur civic was working fine & had good power before the timing belt change, then there is a good chance that ur mechanic did not line up the TDC (top dead center) markings on the camshaft, crankshaft, or the crankshaft pulley properly.

This may explain why u need to retard the distributor to adjust the timing to achieve better power. Especially, if you're using a timing gun to confirm the alignment markings on the timing belt; if the gear shaft alignments for the timing belt r incorrect, other alignment indicators r unreliable.

What u might want to do is double check the camshaft, crankshaft, or the crankshaft pulley markings yourself. But u will need to lift the car, remove the wheel, remove the power steering belt, alternator belt, AC if equipped, upper & lower timing belt covers. You will need a 50mm crankshaft pulley adjust tool to rotate the belt at TDC to ensure everything else is in correct alignment.

Or take it to a shop that can do that for u so u can confirm that the timing belt had been re-installed properly.

Good luck!