As for the distributor setting, just center it until you can check the timing.
Shorting the service connector like Civic2Scooby suggested will keep the ECU from messing with the timing, might help your issue and is necessary anyway for when you adjust and set the timing with the dist. It's what you jump to read any stored codes off the CEL, you need to jump/short it in the same way when you adjust and set the ignition timing.

I'd also reset the ECU just in case before you give it another try.