This weekend, I plan on taking my valve cover off, to check my valves/pistons/change spark plugs etc.) I was just wondering a few things:

1. When I take the head off, is it essential to buy a new head gasket, or can I reuse the old one ? And do I have to seal the valve cover with HONDA BOND or anything when I put it back on ?

2. Is there any type of spray that I could use on the valves in order to clear any grime off of them ?

3. what are the best spark plugs/wires to get for the b18c1 ?

 

Replace head gasket. Not worth the extra 4 hours you have spend to replace it after you find it leaks.

You don't have to replace the valve cover gasket unless it's torn or disfigured beyond usefulness (unless you just like or want to for the sheer pleasure of it). Use a thin smear of Hondabond on the corners of the gasket next to the semi-circles.

I'm not sure about cc cleaning. ATF? Seafoam stuff?

Use NGK PFR6G-13 plugs and stock wires.

 

answers
#1 yes buy a new headgasket.. and no you cant reuse.. no dont need honda bond...make sure the valve cover gasket is still rubbery.. not stiff... is so buy a new one...also wipe all the oil off the surrounding area if there is oil...
#2your better off using the injector cleaner.. the type taht hooks up to the intake manifold.. one of the vacuum lines...ask your local autp part store they will ko what im talking about....
#3 denso/ngk .. same makers ..plugs stock

 

How much do the NGK PFR6G-13's cost?? IS there anything cheaper?

 

use the copper NGK plugs only $1.99 a piece

 

$12.35/plug at clubplug.net

I like the electrode design of the laser platinums better than the regular copper plugs.

 

copper conducts better then platinum

platinum just doesnt have to be changed as often

 

That's true, but once voltage is built up at the tip of the electrode, electrode composition ceases to matter. It has to conduct across non-ferrous air/gas, not copper (or platinum) when it jumps the gap.

If somebody had the equipment, you could test and compare the minimum amount of voltage required for it to arc b/w the two electrode designs. There's also a time variable to be concerned about as to how quickly the plug reaches full voltage - where copper may have an advantage.

 

good point, but i just hate paying in excess of 5 dollars per plug, when i can use copper and just swap them out every 5000 miles.

 

I had issues with the BKR3E's gapped to something like 1.289". Took more cranks to start the engine and gas mileage suffered. Just my personal experience, so I never use them anymore.