I'm going to pull the cams out of my b18a1. Mostly to inspect all my rocker arms. This is a relatively straight forward job, but....

..I know there are some other things I'll need, like cam seals.

I'm sure there are people here familiar with all the other little things I'll need. I'm out in the middle of nowhere, so I'd prefer to have everything before starting so I can reassemble asap. Waiting a week to ship something in while the job is underway is a problem.

Do I need some type of specific gasket sealer for the end rockers or cam seals?
New nuts for the cam holders?

Those sorts of things I'm not sure about?

Thanks!


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Cam seals, i always do the cam plug and valve cover gasket too as long as it's apart.

Hondabond is what i use for the cam seals, plug and corners of the valve cover,
but another option is the permatex 'grey' you can find at any local auto parts store.

Nice DA too

 

Yes the plug, I thought I saw that somewhere.

Hondabond may be the best answer, I get confused by all the permatex colors. I've got aviation gasket seal, but probably wrong for this.

I'm not really worried about the valve cover gasket, but might change it. I never put any sealer on it. I cleaned it so well, it doesn't leak without sealer. First time I did the valve cover, it took half a day to clean all that sealer off. It hasn't leaked since.

My service manual says something about sealer on the outer cam holders. I guess I need read thru it real well before hand, of course.

..looks like you're doing a lot of work on yours.


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Well best thing to do while your at it is replace the cam seals, cam plug, valve cover gasket, spark plug gaskets under the valve cover. Clean up all the oil on the matting surfaces and cams clean and dry, use some engine assembly molly lube and lube up the jurnals and set the cams and caps then over the cam lobes, Then check and set your valve lash if its out of spec using a fealer gauge to ensure the valve lash is in spec and you should be good to go.

 

My '90 Service Manual states,

"Apply liquid gasket to the head mating surfaces of the #1 and #6 camshaft holders, then install them", then.....2,3,4, & 5. Same with the second cam.

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What kind of gasket sealer on the camshaft holders?

...and what type sealer on the end seals and plug?
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Do you happen to have a photo with no rockers? I've wanted to see what the head looks like under the rockers.

Thanks!


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What kind of gasket sealer on the camshaft holders?

...and what type sealer on the end seals and plug?


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I assume yours is a vtec, mine is quite different.

This is only the 3rd time I've had my valve cover off in 3.5 years, and why I never remember what it looks like. Still not leaking, without any sealer on the gasket. I cleaned it well.




I still have a lot to learn about these engines, but I have had no issues with the engine (at 167k now). A number of other things, but not the engine. I have 4 vehicles, so I don't put a lot of miles on it. Purchased at 145k miles, late 2012.



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Just use honda bond to seal the gaskets I usually just dab a lil on the corners of the cam caps no need to put honda bond under all of the vc the gasket the gasket should seal by itself the dabs on the corners are just to be sure no leaks acure there.

 

Seems like my book is saying to put it underneath the cam holders, before installing them. That's really what a wondering (if anyone else here is), besides what type.

I always try and find out these little detail ahead of time....and I'm not familiar with Honda engines much at all.

I made a mistake once with what type of gasket fluid I used, to put a cylinder bore on a Triumph Bonneville once. It was a very long time ago (1974), but it taught me a lesson I'll never forget. I take a lot of effort to make sure I never make that mistake again.

Thanks

This is from my 1990 service manual.

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Iv never heard of anyone putting gadket sealer under, that would cause some damage as the liquid gasket will harden and cause seriouse damage to the cams. You put engine assembly lube ! I use Lucas engine assembly molly lube under the cam caps over the cams as well. Then put the caps in order and torque em. Use honda bond gasket sealer to seal the valve cover gasket on the corners of the cam caps where the valve cover gasket lays, then set the rubber vc gasket in the vc and set the covef back on the head. A Haynes manual or similar at your local auto shop should have a detailed instructions on the procedure. The vtec and LS head is not to much diffrent. If you look at my puc the green lube is lucas engine assembly lube. You don't really need it cause some clean engine oil would work too. I replaced my cams so I cleaned up the head and used the Lucas lube to lube up the new cams.

 

Yeah, that was my thought too, you'd have to be extremely careful, but this is my source,

The real deal, from Acura......came with the car.




I have seen a few oddities in Japanese manuals before, in my Honda Manual for my '76 CB750F,..and '77 Goldwing for example...

...but here's the page.







Odd, and problematic. I expect no one does this, and the cam holders stay tight. Mine are 25 years old, never rebuilt. Maybe they did something extra from the factory in those years.....but very carefully.

I think you're right though. Most people including me, would get it all over the cams.

I guess you can see why I had to question it.........

Now I see..just the shaded areas (in 2). Not very clear, but I guess that's what they are (trying) to say, and I missed it.

Thanks for helping to clarify that!



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Yes you do apply gasket sealer to the 1 and 6, nothing new. Why? Because that is where you'll need to ensure oil doesn't leak outside of the engine. All of the other cam caps are under the valve cover so no need to apply gasket sealer.

 

Yes thanks! I get it now.

The book is smaller than this image. I did not see the small diagonal lines in #2 until I uploaded and looked at the images.



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Yea so it's just on the matting surface so that's fine and makes sence.