Distributor swap - D16Y7 - Tec to Hitachi
 

I purchased a newer used D16Y7 engine to replace my daughters blown 96 model - all x-refs show that engines between 96 & 00 are compatible drop-ins. As I was finishing the connections I found that the distributors were different (old one is Hitachi - new one is Tec) . So I exchanged the new distributor with the old. On first start up try I did get the engine to fire by turning the dist to an extreme - but died after a few revolutions. Now I get no fire to the plugs at all - (I pulled a plug and watched for arc to engine block- none) QUESTION: Is there something else that needs to be adressed when changing to a different distributor - or is there something else that I need to be looking for?
Note: The newer intake is a little different as well - sensors are the same but there are additional vacuum hoses (all connected) - Is this a problem?
Thanks,
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Re: Distributor swap - D16Y7 - Tec to Hitachi
 

Update: I traced the problem back to the Ignition Control Module (ICM). Apparently the ICM from the Hitachi distributor off of the old engine was defective. I discovered that the TEC coil pack & ICM are the same in both units & can be swapped. Once replaced, the car fired right up & is running strong. I'm still not sure why Honda would have 2 different distributors for the same engine type with 2 different connectors... but I'm sure there's a good reason out there somewhere...
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