OK, so I decided I would do it myself instead of taking it to the dealer and paying 600-700.
1998 Accord 4cyl vtec

Made the white marks to do the timing to make it easier, changed the water pump while I was back there. had some issues with timing since my marks didn't line up (found out later that I was lining one mark up with another...) but was able to line it all respective to TDC and by putting a long bit into that lock hole for the rear balancer shaft.

So put everything back on and cranked it. Made a funny noise, didn't sound right. Slept on it and realized I had not tighted the tensionor pulley bolt..

So stupid mistake #1. So I just tightened the bolt and cranked it agin. Stupid mistake #2. Lots of noise and tapping sounds, shut it off within 20 seconds.

Pulled it all back off and saw the timing was off about 180 degrees...

Re-timed using my marks and put it back together. Started fine and sounds good. Only problem now is there is a lot of vibration when accelerating.

So I think I might have damaged the valves, or am maybe a cog off with the timing on the balancer shafts. If I did damage the valves, how can I test to see if that is the case? Also if they are OK, will there be long term damage if I drive with the balancer timing off?

Thanks for any input you can give a novice.

 

if it was off by 180 than i hate to say it but something got bent or worse. i hope for your shake i am wrong but odds are there. as far as how to check it wish i could tell you a easy way but i would guess yank the head of and check it out

 

once you have everything lined up correctly and tightened you can try a compression test to see if the cylinders are holding pressure. You can rent a compression tester from places like AutoZone.

 

OK thanks for the tips.
I did a compression check and I had 180-190 psi in each cylinder, so I think I might have gotten lucky and not screwed anything up to bad.

I'm wanting to check timing. On my engine which is the #1 cylinder? Is it near the battery or is it on the driver side?

Thanks!

 

leak down test would be better for future reference if you think there is valve damage...meaning cranking a motor with the timing off doing a compression test can make it worse....sounds like your counterbalance shaft alignment isnt correct

set cyl 1 to tdc then check timing marks

remove counter balance belt make sure you set the left counter balance with notched portion at 12 o clock

then reset the right side counterbalance with the bit in the back of the block making sure the bit lays on the flat portion of the shaft

put the belt back on and adjust accordingly

CYL 1 IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FYI

CYL 4 is on the tranny side