first things first - check if the valves are bent.  take the rocker
cover off and check valve lash.  if any measure a big gap, the valve is
bent and needs to be replaced.  that requires head removal.

for the rest, buy the honda factory workshop manual from helm.com.  it
tells you exactly what to do every step of the way, including the
critical procedure for correct tensioning of the timing belt.  you'll
also need a pulley wheel holder so you can remove and re-torque the
pulley wheel belt.  google this group for piecemeal info on belt change
and go to tegger.com for info on tools, belt change, general good stuff.

Think about replacing your thermostat too, but TEST IT BEFORE YOU INSTALL
IT.

Paul

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

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.autos.makers.honda/browse_thread/thread/49f35
2a52113ec87/15097157335e59a7?lnk=st&q=%22by+hand%22+valve+damage+group%3Arec.aut
os.makers.honda&rnum=7#15097157335e59a7

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?

hold on, on all the super careful advice because i'm buying another car
anyway and i am just getting the parts installed but want it done right and
test the car out. if it acts up and a valve is bent it will run terrible but
i'm confident that's not the case. i just need to know about the TDC
question and what to look for. i'm not replacing any pulleys and i don't
think the water pump requires any sealant but it might help. i'm not
replacing the tensioner either for the timing belt. it was leaking
antifreeze onto the timing belt and that caused the slipping. get back with
me with info. thankyou.

                                              -jeff