To check for valve damage, see the following thread and
groups.google via www.groups.google.com :

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a...097157335e59a7

If the valves do not appear to be damaged, then the biggest
impediment to changing the timing belt is often freeing the
crankshaft pulley bolt. One needs either an industrial
grade, very high torque air impact wrench or a special
"pulley holding tool." Lots of folks here report the easiest
route is to take the car to your local mechanic and have
him/her use their serious impact wrench to free it up. Then
snug up for the short ride home. Tip the mechanic $15, say.

Resources on how to break free a Honda pulley bolt:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/cranktool/index.html

http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id6.html

You can start on this, maybe, then check back here for more
input on other points.

Free online manuals that can help a lot:
http://www.honda.co.uk/car/owner/workshop.html (try the
88-91 CRX manual for your Civic).

www.autozone.com Follow pointers to repair guides specific
to your 88 Honda. It will give the exact torque spec for the
pulley bolt, for one, when you re-assemble everything.

You should change the "front" (actually the right side of
the engine as you stand at the car's front and look down at
the engine) crankshaft and camshaft oil seals while you're
doing this.

To help others, do you have any idea why your timing belt
stripped? Age? Miles?

"Jeff" <jeffscomp@sbcglobal.net> wrote
>i was on the expressway yesterday in my '88 honda civic
>sedan and it lost power and then shutoff. the timing belt
>stripped out and i'm hoping a valve didn't get bent. today
>i'm planning on installing a new timing belt and water pump
>and need to know the easiest way to tell if the pistons are
>at TDC top dead center. also does the water pump require
>any kind of sealant? all advice is appreciated. Thanks.
>
> -jeff
>