the belt looks very new, i beleive it was changed rght before i purchased the car (from what the previous owner told me). i didnt know they could just skip a tooth like that, figured that was something timing chains are more prone to do. but anyways we kinda fucked with the distributor position to see if that had anything to do with it and didnt really get anywhere with that so i ended up putting it back to its original setting that we had marked. ive never had problems like this with any car before and im pretty new to all this shit in particular so im kinda shooting in the dark with most of it. i'll try looking into some more of the timing stuff tomorrow. everyone keeps suggesting that i have a vaccuum leak too, judging by the symptoms, although i have no idea where to start looking because everything seems to be in place...

and what i meant by switching the plug wires was replacing them with a new set, which did nothing, so i brought them back.

 

I suggest you get your hands on a digital multimeter and a helms manual. Then start testing the distributor. Hondas are prone to distributor failure, and although possible, I don't think you skipped a tooth. You can check though by setting the crankshaft at top dead center and checking the cam gears with the valve cover off to make sure the timing is correct and you did not skip a tooth.

 

instead of going through and tearing my distributor to peices, i just borrow a whole distributor from my friend, being that his car isnt on the road at the moment. that way if the problem seems to go away i know whats causing all this madness and just need to get my hands on a new distributor. you guys think that will work or am i over simplifying the process?

 

I think thats a good place to start. Just make sure you get a distributor from another teg that has the same On Board Diagnostics. What year is your friends car? You have a 94 right?

 

yeah his is a 94 too, i'll prolly try that route next week and see where that gets me.