Honda CRX HF timing issues
 

I wanted to advance the timing in my HF by a few degrees but when I put a timing light on it I found that it was way retarded. At operating temp. the idle runs about 1200 rpm and it was about 8 deg. retarded. So, I advanced the distributor as far as it would go and that brought the idle down just a bit but it is still retarded. I am guessing that the timing gear is off by a tooth? I'm not a Honda guy (yet) so if anyone has any thoughts I'd appreciate it.

The Civic VX can not have the line on the timing gear line up with the head, instead it lines up with some other marks, not sure what HF you have but it might be the same kind of set up, it's well worth spending $25 on a shop manual so you can make sure what you are doing is correct, don't guess at stuff.
If you are cheap then check a shop manual out from the library.

Did you put a jumper in the advance circuit before you messed w/ the distributor?

Your idle shouldn't drop once the timing is correct, if anything it will speed up slightly and run smoother, 1,200rpm is way fast for idle, 750rpm is correct idle speed, it's of course hard to say what is going on without the correct book in front of me, my Honda repair books are lacking your year.

Suggestions -

Remove/clean EGR valve and passages.
Check/clean/replace IACV (there is a procedure for this, ask your dealer if you can view a service manual)
Reset ECM (Pull Hazard fuse for 30 seconds to a minute)

Verify cam timing is correct.

Insert jumper to advance circuit (white covered 2p jumper plug on the d-side fender near the strut tower, insert something to cross those pins, like a safety pin)

Loosen dizzy and attach timing light, check/adjust timing as necessary.

Idle speed is not adjustable, the IACV takes care of it.

I can barely put a jumper on my 2 year old. What does jumping the advance circuit do.

didn't really make sense to me either but that's what happened. There was no noticeable difference in smoothness but it did have to crank over a couple more times at cold start. Maybe a slight loss of power on hills, hard to tell.

You can't set the base timing without doing it.

It's a 2p plug on the driver's side fender area near the strut tower, it might have a white rubber cap over it. You just stick a pin between the two contacts.

The jumper wire turns off the electronic advance on the timing, otherwise you get the kind of results you are getting, it's kind of like pulling and plugging the vacuum advance hose on an older car.
If you can't afford a shop manual then barrow one.

I did time it with the distributor loose, that's how I got it from way retarded to slightly retarded. also fount a how to for the IACV. i'll reset the system and get on to a manual this weekend to check cam timing.