second owner, 74k on the odo, 40k of which are mine after I picked it up in 18. Trying my best to do my timing belt on my own, (it’s the factory belt) and after initial tear down, I’ve got two main questions:

1. I’ve slipped and got the rear cam sprocket advanced past TDC, and meet resistance and a wall when I turn it backwards- do I risk damage in reversing the rear cam, or will the cam push the valves out of the way, resisting their springs the whole way around, or should I advance the timing of all three (cam cam crank) forward one full cycle to get back to TDC?

and
2. Should I swap my seals? I’ve got all three, but I’ve also heard a good seal shouldn’t be broken, but that could be a backwoods fable for all I know.


any and all help is a godsend,

HH

 

welcome to the forum. Honda engines are interference fit, if you continue to turn that crankshaft, you will bend a valve. might try removing the cam shaft so all the valve are closed both sides, make sure all the spark plugs are out, then turn the crank to #1 TDC. install the cam to align with the crankshaft all to#1 TDC. then reinstall the cam and Install belt knowing you are on #1 TDC.. if in doubtt make sure you have a service repair manual. after installing the belt, turn the engine through slowly making sure you have not resistance and the valves are working properly.

 

thank you for your advice, sorry for not replying once I got things straightened out. Took the old belt, and played tug of war with the rear cam by looping it over the sprocket, pulling resistance on both sides, and finding the sweet spot in the center. Put a hole in my palm in the process whilst hulking out bare handed on the sprocket itself, but I got it aligned, and my unicorn breathes fire once more