HELP! I am new to Honda, DOHC's and I really love this little sled. PROBLEM: I wrung off several teeth on my 88 Lude Si's timing belt under load but not flat out. I know that the possiblity is good for bent valves but I am praying you know... I have installed a new timing belt after putting the bottom end at TDC with the timing mark on the flywheel. I aligned the cams with the marks parallel to the head and the "up" arrow well facing up. I had to use some wood wedges to hold the cams in position because the alignment of the marks with the head put the cam lobes under a small load. After installing the new belt, this small load is creating a bulge in the belt between the cams as the load springs both back to center. Is it normal for the cams to be wedged to attain the proper cam position and if so, will the bulge work itself flat over time? The old belt didnt have any bulge whatsoever as it was still intact except for the missing teeth. Anybody have any input on these questions before I go any further with the reassembly? Thanks!!

 

you mean between the 2 cam gears there is a little extra slack in the belt? like the flat part of the belt at the very top?

If so when I did mine it was a little bit of slack there but it has been fine every since....

If you can I would replace the water pump while you are in there.... but you don't have to, just saves time if it ever goes.

 

Yeah that is exactly what I am talking about. At the top between the cam gears the belt is bulging up, it isnt flat as a pancake across the top like the old belt was.