timing belt
 

My Civic's timing belt just broke. It's a 1986 1300cc with a carburator and 4 speed. Did I destroy the motor? The car is ugly, but I love the gas mileage. It has 170,000 miles and was on it's second timing belt. The car has been through two of my sons before I got it. Maybe I can still get an 'engine from Japan.'Thanks for any help, Jim

RE: timing belt
 

There's a chance it is OK. The problem is how to know without spending a lot of time or money on it. Take the valve cover off, cut timing belt (it's stripped anyway) and turn the cam with a wrench on the end bolt to see if all the valves come up properly. If you suddenly have huge clearance on one valve, that's not good. Or you could put a new belt on and check the compression in all cylinders.

I would think it's going to be very hard to find a good used CVCC engine like that. But a rebuilt head may be in reach if you can install it yourself.

RE: timing belt
 

Thanks MK378, I checked my valve clearances. There were only two valves that had .012" clearance. to me, that's still in the ballpark of .007" & .009", so as soon as I get paid I'm going to change the belt. I guess I got lucky!