Unfortunately if it is an intermittant problem, you won't be able to find the problem unless it is failing at that moment.

To me I think it also sounds like it could be your coil or ignitor starting to go. In case you or your mechanic uncle doesn't know, the coil and ignitor are located in the distributor on Civics. You have to take off the cap and rotor to get to it. Also the rotor is held on by a retaining screw.