I have been trying to find an OEM timing belt kit for a 1992 Accord (timing and balance belts, timing and balance tensioners) but all I find is aftermarket manufacturers. Conti seems to be one of the more prominent ones and I was considering going with them, as it will save about $75 over buying seperate OEM parts. Would anyone with experience consider the a bad decision? I am planning on replacing:

timing belt
timing belt tensioner
balance belt
balance belt tensioner
balance shaft seal
balance shaft seal retainer (adding if it is not already there)
water pump

necessary to replace valve cover gasket? (I have had no proble re-using the one on my S2000).

I have done quite a bit of homework on the procedure itself and feel pretty confident about the whole thing (once I get the crank pulley off), I just have these few stragling questions. Thanks in advance.

 

I've never heard about Conti, but personally, I would just buy OEM. I would try looking at Majestic Honda or San Leandro Honda parts catalogs. See what kind of prices you can get from them. I've used Majestic before but not San Leandro. I only use Majestic when I have a larger order, for small things I just go to the local Honda dealer.

As for the valve cover gasket... It is recommended to replace but some people have done fine without. I guess look at how many miles are on it. If you don't know when it was last replaced, might as well just get a gasket set and replace the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals. I think the set is like $20 or something from Majestic and since it's already off, might as well just do it and possibly save time from having to do it later (even though it only takes like 10 min.).

 

Prices look pretty competitive between San Leandro and Majestic (I went with Majestic on the brake job and they did me right ) so I will probably fork over the extra $$ and go OEM. TouringAccord, maybe you can help me confirm that the balance shaft seal is part# 31 in this pic: http://www.hondaautomotivepart...AINER
The only thing I can't seem to find from them is the seal retainer, although with 2 timing belt jobs already done on this car, the dealer should have installed one 200,000 miles ago on the first one. Spark plug seals were replace a couple of years ago.
I will keep turning this job over in my head untill I start next week and post any questions that come up.

 

uh, actually, I think the balance shaft seal is part #32. I could be wrong, I'm not 100% sure. Maybe a trip to the deal to confirm. They have the same pictures so you should be able to find out (get the part # as well) and then just order from Majestic.

As for the retainer. It's part #14 and the bolts are part #22 in the picture below.

Use the same search criteria but select CRANKSHAFT-PISTON. You'll find it under that heading. Your probably talking 5-6 bucks to buy it incase you don't have it done already.

You would figure with 2 timing belt jobs done and that many miles the retainer would be done but I've learned to never take anything for granted after seeing how some poeple take care of their cars.

It's better to ask as many questions now instead of having problems in the middle of the job because you weren't sure on something and didn't ask questions. So just fire away, I sure someone will be able to help answer your question.

 

I have a very simple litmus test when it comes to buying bits for the family rides (many).
If it should break, and the car would be rendered unservicable; I go STRICTLY Honda OEM.
If I can determine what manufacturer supplies Honda, and has a 'house brand' available; I'll go with them.
Anything else non-critical is fair game.

Can't be simpler than that.

P