it is page 11-62 in the pdf for the 92-95 civics (in pgm-fi section).

there is an oil seal and a roller bearing (this is my reading of the picture), but in two different parts so, unless the oil getting in messes up the bearing i hope my problem with leaking oil should not affect the bearing; i might be wrong here since the oil may be hot, etc, but if there is so much of it, the sensors should go down before the bearing!

the seal is the smooth surface that serves as a first guide for the shaft (to the right of the picture), exactly as you are saying, the second one being the bearing itself (at the left); i find your explanation for the oil clearance, lubrication, etc. perfectly reasonable and true!!!

or, maybe there are two roller bearings, but they are represented differently in the picture...

however, i didn't find anything related to the distributor in the manual (besides the TDC/CRANK/CYL sensor); is there anything about it? any other info on the web? i do have a haines though

as for me, i use the car for now to commute to/from work (20 miles one way) -- it's still cold here -- brrrr

thanks a lot. looks like it's time to get a new distributor housing
neko