Hey everybody,

I'm replacing the timing belt and water pump on my 1988 Honda CR-X. Was wondering if anybody could point me in the direction of the tools I'm gonna need in order to remove all this stuff? Also, I've heard the pulley bolt is especially hard to remove, so is an impact wrench necessary? I need to get this done in roughly one week for school, so I'm scrambling

Thanks!

 

19mm socket, 17mm socket, 12mm socket, 14mm socket, 3/8 drive ratchet and 19,17,14mm wrenches. Impact gun for the pulley bolt. Puller for the pulley. Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster (your choice) and torch in case the crank pulley bolt is stubborn..

Use good tools, using sh*tty tools are risky, nothing blows more than breaking a tool on a Sunday night and you have to jet to work in the morning and the stores are closed...

 

OP - It is wise, especially since obviously you haven't done this before, to invest in a repair manual and a torque wrench. Preferably 1/2" and 3/8" drives to do the job right. An impact gun is not a necessity, but not having one can sometimes make the job 2x's longer and harder. There are a few things you can do if you can't get your hands on one.

Also, 1990edsedan forgot to mention the 10mm socket and combination wrench (either or preferably socket). Gasket scraper/ razor blade... Possibly a pry bar or large flathead, maybe a cheater bar HAHA... Also preferably use 1/2" drive ratchet for the crank pulley and larger sockets...

 

Damn..I knew I forgot something! Also, tension the belt BEFORE you put on the cover, It's kinda a pita to access the silly tensioner bolt when you have the cover on. So bolt the pulley on (not uber tight) set your cam/crank timing and tension the belt. Then unbolt and slide the pulley off, bolt up the cover, re-install the pulley and tighten down.

 

i did mines using this how-to guide:
http://crxcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=500

 

For the 88, you may or may not need the older style pulley holding tool depending on weather or not the impact gets the bolt loose. I got one for my 89 and it made the work go pretty easily. I had tried everything except an impact before that but it got the job done. It's not the easiest thing to use, but it does work.

Don't know where you can get one now though. Amazon doesn't have them right now...