My car is a 1996 Civic EX
I don't have the money for air tools, only conventional socket sets and such.
What do I need to do the job?

Thanks for the input.

 

http://www.civicforums.com/forums/23...t-96-00-a.html

 

This^ is an excellent DIY.

 

It is a breeze once you get that crank pulley off. Make sure you are at TDC on #1 and take a couple of pictures before you take anything off just in case you forget where things go.

 

You need a device to hold the crank pulley while you loosen the bolt. That is the hardest part.

You need a sturdy 1/2 drive breaker bar and socket to fit over the bolt and a length of pipe to fit over the breaker to use for extra leverage (I use craftsman and they haven't broken yet).

You need WD-40 and some time to let it soak in.

You need a foot lb. and inch lb. torque wrench (2 torque wrenches).

You need a manual with torque specifications and a drop of oil to lube the crank bolt threads (only the threads) when torquing.

I used liquid paper to mark the old belt and pulleys before removing it. Then you lay the new belt on top of the old belt and transfer the marks then install the new belt. You can count teeth between marks to assure accuracy. If you do it this way and make sure the pulleys don't move it works good.

Otherwise you will have to line up the marks on the crank gear and cam gear correctly to install the belt properly.

Make sure you install the lower guide over the crank gear properly (its concave and has to be installed with the lips protruding out from the belt).

BEFORE starting the engine: When the belt is fully installed and crank bolt at least partially tightend turn the engine slowly and carefully 2 revolutions by hand (with a socket/ratchet on the crank bolt) and STOP if you feel any resistance (for instance the pistons hitting the valves).

Make sure you finally tighten the crank bolt to spec. if it comes loose you will destroy your crank.