I am planning on sending my head out to DPR to get some headwork, i was wondering if it is difficult to remove the head myself or should i get someone at a shop to do it. I would rather do it myself to save the cash but done want to **** my car up or anything.

 

if you happen to have hand tools, just go to your local parts store and buy a chilton's manual for your car. it has enough information, for you to do the job on your own and save some$$$$$$$$! just follow their instructions to the letter!

 

Its not hard. Is the motor still in the car? A problem i had with my motor siting on a engine cart (just 4 2x4's on wheels) was that when loosening the headbolts it kept turning. Those f'ers are on there tight. Basically it invlolves removing 1. spark plugs 2. valve cover 3. slide off the timing belt, you dont have to take it off hjust slide it off the gears 4. disasseble the cam fasteners. dont know what theyre called but theres three large "towers", unbolt them and keep them in order. Unbolt the cam gear "towers" (what the hell are those called?) and the ones on the opposite side at the vtec solenoid and distributor. 5. Take out the cams 6. Now you will have acces to the head bolts. Those are on there TIGHT. Youl need a large 1/2 inch breaker bar with extension. when loosening follow a detorquing sequence, go from the outside and meet in the middle. 6. using a pry bar or sloted screwdriver and a hammer, gently get the head off the block. Took me an hour, on my first time. Not too hard. youl need 10mm 12mm and 14 mm sockets. the 14mm in a 1/2 inch size. Oh, and dont forget the manifolds (durh) You can take the intake off after but have the exhaust off before taking off the head.

 

Can you reuse head bolts? I've heard some should not be reused.

 

thanks for your help, very thorough, much appreciated.......im off to give it a shot.

 

got it done, easy as cake, thanks again