Damn...you know looking at an engine while its sitting in the engine bay it looks quite simple. Well a few weeks ago my car died and i have been asking and reading many many posts on here..so today i got up the ***** to take off the head and see what the pistons/valves look like. Well i started a few hours ago and eveything was going, ok i guess. Then i started seeing all the freakin bolts and then soon had to go get new tools..now its getting dark and i need more tools and all i have done it gotten most of the wiring out of the way ( i labeled EVERYTHING) and took the battery, stock air box, and the fuel rail and injectors out of the way.

So do i have to take off the header (exhaust), i mean like disconnect it from the downpipe to take off the head..also do i have to take off the intake thingy ( i'm sorry i'm sooo tired and sore) i think its the throttle body or intake whatever you should get the picture...thank you all so much for the help

 

Yes, you need to take the exhaust manifold off, or disconnect it like you said.

 

Is there an "easy" way to do it or do i just have to get in there and try try try?

 

There are steps that you should take when you take off the head, I always take the fuel line off (dont need to take the rail and injectors out), take off teh exhaust manifold, undo the 9-10 plugs that are on the head, losen the timming belt, take that off,then I start taking all the valve cover bolts and cam cap bolts off, etc. etc. etc

 

So the 4 bolts that are used to hold on the valve cover come off too ( sorry if that sounds stupid i've never done anything remotely like this) i've already taken out the 10 long *** bolts...the injectors, fuel rail and alot ot the wiring stuff but the exhaust manifold is a bitch to get off...i accidentally broke off one of the bolts but i don't think its that important. The timing belt is off and thats about it. Oh..does the head just come off? or do i have to pry or force it off?

 

the head should come off with a little wiggling. if it doesnt wiggle off check and make sure everything is off b4 you start prying. if you have to pry be careful. and try not to work in the dark, youll break **** and regret it in the morning.

 

Yeah i'll attack it in the morning. I need to get an extention for my wrentch so i can take off the exhaust header and other than that i think everythin sould come easily..wish me luck everyone

 

do you have a helms manual? i think that would be a good thing to have handy.

 

Port/Polish that head.

 

Don't Give Up, only losers do and you're not one of 'em
Good luck on ur Goal...

 

good luck, you really should look into buying a helms manual like drew mentioned

 

Another day and i think that with everyones help i can do it! I do have "A" manual its the "Honda Civic 1984-1991 Haynes Repair Manual" It doesn't help much but i guess it helps alittle. For instance it didn't say what i have to take off the engine to remove the head, it simply said remove the 10 bolts in this order. so if i can find the one you guys are talkin about i definitly will get it Well i'll have news on the condition of my engine tonight thanks again everyone


P.S.--what is thats "bump" stuff? i don't understand so i don't use it..if someone explains its meaning i will use it but other than that, no

 

there are helms manual's online if you dont feel like paying 70bucks for one. just seach i know there are some links on the forum. good luck with your work

 

If you actually want the Helms books theyre at http://www.helminc.com very good to have in your garage, or you can print out the entire online deal.
When I removed the head from my d15 I had to use my engine hoist to lift up on the head, it eventually lifted up the whole front end of the car. So I had to get in there with a rubber mallet and beat all around the head to get it to come off. The headgasket pretty much melted and didnt come off easily. So just be prepared if you get everything off and the head doesnt want to budge. Good luck and get a friend to help if anything.

Oh, deep impact sockets are your friend for those 3 exhaust manifld/downpipe bolts. You can get a whole set (8mm-22mm) for like $20.

 

Yeah i've been having to get rides to and from the auto parts store for parts as i need then..so far i have had to buy deep sockets, a new wrentch..a hammer...new plyers..and the list isn't done yet i figure the head is gonna be similar to yours..but i don't have a engine hoist..so its gonna have to be a hammer and 3-4 guys and a few girls all pushing and pulling.

 

all you need is a basic tool set with sockets 10-17 and a breaker bar. and combo wrenches 10 12 14 and 17. take off the intake manifold far enough so it doesnt touch the studs. same for exhaust manifold. take off all the coolant hoses and wires for sensors. take off the distributor. take off the drivers side motor mount. loosen the timing belt. take it off. take off the valve cover. then take out the headbolts. then pry the head off the block and ur done.

you dont have to take out the drivers side mount if ur not changing the belt but as long as ur in there u might as well.
also you dont need a hoist. ive changed a headgasket by myself in 4 hours. drove in and drove out. the 1st time is the hardest.

 

The timing belt was replaced about 2 months ago, so i have to take off the distrubuter? ok i think i can do that, it shouldn't be that hard..and the intake manifold? I need to take it off too? i remember seeing someone take off the head without taking off the intake manifold

 

what kind of motor are you working on?...you dont need to remove the distributor and you could have left the fuel rail on the intake manifold and just remove the coolant lines and wires from the intake manifold then the the nuts and pull the whole intake manny away from the head and strap it to your firewall then remove the headers..etc.. anyways replace your head gasket when you get the head off and make sure the old gasket is cleaned off of the head and block...put it back together and check the timing before you start it dont forget....good luck