So I have a 90 accord and I just recently changed head gasket (Intention was to swap the head overall) and the first half was fine, but the problem now is I have put the head back on and I am not as equiped as a pro. I did not take the timeing belt off completely, just slipped it off the cam gear. I had trouble slipping it back on so what I did before bolting head down is I tilted the head and got the belt on. When I reposistioned the head on the block, the end lifted slightly due to the belt tension. I was easily able to push it down and make it stay down but I want to know if I continue to torque bolts down (they are just sitting in holes at the momoent) am I risking warpage by putting belt on before head bolts?

 

Did you loosen the belt tensioner?

 

Tried and failed I plan to make it drivable at best to a mechanic who will replace the belt properly and loosen the bolts.

 

I sure wouldn't tempt it. Its simple, loosen the tensioner bolt in between the crank pulley and the deck of the block. Then belt should be nice and malleable. Do it right the first time, head gasket jobs are fairly simple on Accord and Civic motors.

 

Well the problem is I keep taking material off the tensioner skrew and I cant find a wrench that will stay on or not ruin the screw. Went as far as to using an adjustable pipe wrench and still nothing. Is there a way to fit a hex socket in?

 

Yes, it should be like a 14mm (pretty sure) and you should have enough clearance. You may have to remove your belt side motor mount which honestly isn't that difficult.

 

But everything is lined up. All pulleys are at TDC, head gasket is lined up properly and head is too, but I was able to put the belt on to the proper teeth. It all lined up.

 

You should be able to lightly loosen the tensioner while still keeping your pulleys aligned.

 

And I could not get any of my sockets in there. Only about 1" clearenc between the body and the lower cover and my socket + wrench is 1"

 

Well as I said my wrench will just scrape the screw and none of my sockets fit.