Hello, I am replacing the head gasket in my 1998 Honda civic ex.
are there any tips or pointers anyone has for me?
what maintenance things should I do while I’m at it?
are there any preference mods I can do?

thanks

 

Replace your valve stem seals while you have the head out. Check our valve to see any bent by attaching them to a drill and spin it. If it wobbles, go to the junk yard and pull valves from other civics there.

Also clean your valves with scotch brite and a drill. After that, lap your valves with lapping compound using drill at low speed. You will notice a bit more power after doing these.

Or don't do any to save time and just get your head deck and put them back together and on your way.

 

Awesome thank you, what do you mean clean with a drill? Like a drill bit, or sometime of brush on the end of a drill?

 

its your engine so do as you wish, If it were mine, I would either take the head to a machine shop and have it planed flat or order a rebuilt head HONDA CYLINDER HEADS (headsonly.com)
That way I dont have to do it again.
Clean the top of the pistons with a brass wire brush,
Why do you have to replace the head gasket?

 

I have plans to get it resurfaced at a local shop, and I need to replace it because it broke and was leaking cause cylinder 1 and 2 to lose compression.

 

Is there any reason I should replace the sprigs with higher compression springs?

 

Just a regular drill. You attached one end of your valve to the drill and spin it.

Like this but you don't need that fancy machine..just any drill is fine.

 

Are you planning to boost it later? If not, don't waste money.

 

Most likely not

 

How do I retime my timing belt, I am having so many timing problems I need help.

 

After putting everything back, the engine runs but misfires on multiple cylinders, any suggestions?

 

Run a compression test on all four cylinders.

 

They all have close to 150 psi

 

Check your valve adjustment.

 

I check and fixed the valves some where a little loose, but it still misfires in cylinders 3 and 4