Honda Repair: timing, honda civic cx, crank pulley

Question
My 96 honda civic cx hatchback was running okay, but using alot of oil.  When I removed the timing cover I noticed alot of oil.  Followed the Haynes repair manual to replace crankshaft oil seal and camshaft oil seal and timing belt.  Tried very hard to not disturb the timing but had a very difficult time breaking the crankshaft bolt free and may have upset timing.  When crankshaft is aligned with timing cover groove, the rotor is slightly ahead of number one wire.  Car turns over and allllllmost catches, sputters, but won't start.  Feel I'm close.  Any suggestions?  I very much appreciate your help.  Thanx.  Brett.

Answer
Hey Brett, The best way to make sure your timing is dead on is to use the marks on the cam pulley in conjunction with the crank pulley or the crank gear. Here's what you do. With the lower timing cover off you line up the pointer (triangle mark on oil pump) to the line (TDC mark) on the gear. With the cover on and crank pulley installed you line up the white mark to the pointer on the cover. Either step will give you #1 TDC. Be careful because there is 4 marks on the crank pulley 3 by themselves and one about an inch away. The 3 will have a red mark on it and thats for setting ignition timing only! Use the lone one. On the cyl. head pulley there will be an UP mark and 2 lines one on each side of the gear. With the UP mark upwards line up those other 2 lines to the cyl. head surface. From there you install your belt with the tension on the front side because the engine spins counter clockwise. secure the tensionerer and spin the engine a couple of times by hand, then loosen and retighten the tensioner and away you go. If you have anymore questions let me know. RICK     By the way make sure you torque the crank pulley to 14 lbf-ft then tighten it an additional 90 degrees. You may want to borrow a crank pulley holder(commercially available)