ok i'm doing timing belt on 98 civic LX. i already took off everything and now i'm just going to put the timing belt and tensioner on. i always have problem with putting the right tension on. so basically i install the tensioner on and put the bolt snug on it. then i put the timing belt from crank, tensioner, water pump, then the cam. after its all aligned, i spin crank counterclockwise till it moves 3 teeths and then i just loosen the tensioner and retighten?

when i first put the belt on, there will be slack on the front side (long side), and all tension is on the tensioner side?

 

yes.loose and retighten it.but most people also change water pump and tensioner when the replace a new timing belt

 

The bolt should be loose before you spin the engine counter clock wise 3 teeth then retighten the bolt. Also i would replace the water pump and tensioner.

 

im changing everything timing belt, water pump, tensioner, drive belts, crank seal, valve cover gasket. the only thing i alawys have a problem with is tensioning the belt correctly