Forrest wrote:
> I have a 1989 Honda Accord SEI. It leaks oil and I have been letting my son
> drive it. I have lectured him about checking it frequently but wonder if he
> let it get too low.

irrelevant.


> The engine quit on him as he was getting off of the
> freeway. I towed him home and saw that I had no spark to the plugs. I took
> the dist cap off and cranked it and the rotor didn't move.

timing belt has gone.

> I removed the
> valve cover and timing belt cover and cranked and could see the bottom
> timing belt sprocket turning but not the top.

see above.

> I got the belt off and tried
> to turn the top, camshaft sprocket by hand and it wouldn't move more than a
> quarter of an inch.

use a wrench. it's held by powerful springs.


> I figured that the cam shaft bearings may have frozen. I
> loosened the bearing caps and I could then turn it.

that's because you loosen the springs.


> A guy at a wrecking yard
> told me that it shouldn't have to be able to be turned by hand, but with a
> wrench. How hard should it be to turn? I hate to spend $30 on a belt, put it
> all back together, just to have it eat the new belt up. Thanks in advance
> for any replies.

now you've loosened the caps, you've broken the plug tube seals and need
to get new ones. you can remove completely to check the bearings, but
unless the motor's been run dry, or run with the belt excessively tight,
they'll be fine. tip: remove the whole assembly, with bolts in place,
as one unit and keep it all together. reassembly once it falls apart
can be a pita.

other than that, you need to see if any valves are bent from the belt
breakage. re-tighten the bearings and check for valve lash. if any are
excessive, valves are bent and the head needs to come off for
replacement. based on what you've said so far, i suggest you then hand
the vehicle to someone with the experience to take the job from there.