I do have the Honda manual, and I am following those directions. After mcthorogood pointed out that a plug wrench is in the Honda kit, I remembered that I do actually have one. I took the plugs out and did the procedure again, as I noted above. I am using a Gates, which I hear is the exact same belt just without the branding. I have not done the final step of rotating it three teeth and tightening the tensioner. Because I'm curious, does anyone know why it is important to rotate it three teeth?I'm coming back to the discussion late tonight. Coupla points - I did say to tension the belt after putting it on and then check the marks.
What manual are you using? If the Honda manual, follow the last, final step in the whole procedure, the part about initial tensioning and final torque for A NEW TIMING BELT. If you don't have the Honda Manual I can transcribe that part here in a post for you.
Are you installing a Honda new stock timing belt or an aftermarket, e.g. Gates? A new belt's teeth fully seated in their slots in the crank should arrive at the left driven pulley and seat in those slots/valleys so the marks align perfectly. Yours problem there as described would be the first I've ever heard of... hence the mention of double-checking the crank alignment marks. The only other explanation would be a non-standard (length/tooth spacing) belt.
Just a personal observation/comment, but turning the engine over with the spark plugs still installed should have been very difficult. You need a plug wrench. Seriously.
Yes, I'd pull the belt and reinstall as I mentioned above.
John
Re: double checking the crank alignment marks.
Have you seen my most recent post with the pictures? As you suggest, I double checked. This time I lined up the marks on the driven pulleys and then looked at the crank instead of vice versa. It looks perfect (see the pictures above), leading me to believe that I was lining up the crank badly earlier.