Hello All,
I have a 1997 Honda Civic LX. I recently replaced my head gasket and that went really smooth. However, I am having issues with getting a new timing belt installed. I have all of the necessary parts off the side of the engine, and have loosened the crankshaft pulley bolt. Conveniently, that was the easiest part of the job because I had the 50mm hex tool! However, when I started taking the engine apart I set it at TDC, but during the head removal, my belt broke. I noticed when I put the head back on the camshaft was no longer TDC (The up was down to the left). I tried turning the camshaft by hand but it was too hard to turn so avoided turning it at all because these are interference engines (Correct?). I set the crank to TDC with the bolt loosened and now I am wondering how I can set the camshaft to TDC the easiest way. Thanks very much for the help, this has been a frustrating project (Much more difficult than snowmobiles!)

 

remove the cam and reset it, if you're worried about valve contact.

 

Do you think valve contact will be an issue or can I just turn it?

 

depends on how far it turned.

 

You can just turn it. You shouldn't have any problems. If you're worried, turn your crank 45 degrees off TDC, then do whatever you want with your cam. With the crank 45 degrees off TDC, all four pistons should be near the middle of their stroke, and you don't have to worry about P2V contact. Once you have the cam set at TDC, then turn the crank back to TDC, and you'll be good to go.

 

if you have them in pull the spark plugs it will make it easier to turn

 

I'll take NotARacist's advice because that sounds like an easier method. I already have the spark plugs out because I replaced the head gasket as well.