1988 Civic LX….1.5L

so I pulled the head and took it to a machine shop to have it resurfaced. He said he needed to pull the cam out to do the work?? Not sure if this was necessary being it was the first time doing this for me.

So now I have the head back, with the cam and bolts in another box (valves were never removed). Question is...being I am this far is there anything else I should do before putting the cam back in?? I have the procedure to adjust the valve so I know how to do this..but what about any more seals that would make sense to replace while I have the head this far???

Also, can I put the head back on before installing the cam???? And what about the intake manifold...is it easier to put it on the head before installing the head or can I install the head and put the intake on then?? I am thinking it is a matter of which is easier to get to the intake bolts..

Thx for the help…this is my first head gasket work on a Honda….

 

if your taking it to the shop might as well give them the seals and have them replace the guides.

 

Did you do valve seals. those are really easy, takes like 10 minutes.

 

Thanks for the input...why you say it take 10 minutes to replace the valve seals would you have any links to the procedure. I don't have my book with me right now, but looking on line I couldn't find any procedures...any help would be great...

What about cam seals...anything that I should replace

 

take a hammer and hit them too that would work you should have done a minime vtec head swap prob 150 bucks to do just my .02

 

get some molly based assembly lube mate

 

As in valve stem seals? It took me a bit longer than 10 minutes to remove every valve spring and replace the seals. It is worth it but I would think it would be a couple hour job at least.

As for other seals etc. I would recommend the cam seal, distributer o-ring, intake manifold gasket, exhaust manifold gasket(if you removed it only), and maybe a valve cover set if you haven't replaced it lately.

 

^^ beat me to it! Woudl be a shame to have all that work done and then scratch up the cam on the way in.

 

Please don't laugh me out of here...but where do I use this Molly base assemble lube??

 

On the surface where the cam rotates on the head(bearings) and on the cam lobes.

 

This is probably a no brainer, but when you get the head back on and slip the timing belt on make sure everything is set at TDC. When I worked at a shop, the shop next door rebuilt a head, threw it on, and cranked it over. I loled at the new bent valves.

 

Great thanks again...I will pick up so molly lube...

Another question has arose...the cam is out, but the gear is still on. I want to replace the cam seal behind the gear. Any ideas on how to get the bolt holding the gear off with it out??? I was thinking of very gently putting the gear in the vise and trying to break the bolt free..... Any other suggestions on how to get this gear off...