Hey, i think i burnt a valve on my 89 civic hatch (d16a6) Im debating on whether to take the head off myself or getting someone else to do it. How hard is it? If i do it myself are there any tips. Im going to get the head rebuild! THIS is my MAIN question. do you guys think i should just get the head cleaned, checked, new valve(to replac the bad one) and thats it. Or should i get some oversized valves?

 

Take the head off yourself, its not very hard and will save you a bit of $. The main problem with taking the head off is how caked on the head gasket is, ours arent the nice metal ones that come right off, may take 2 people to rip that sucker off.

Get the head and block surfaces cleaned up.
Obviously new valves but I would go ahead and do the valve seals as well, they tend to leak oil a bit once we get good miles on our motors, and theyre cheap. Oversize valves arent necessary unless your going for mad hp. A nice 3 angle valve job will be nice too, especially with new valves. Toss in some springs and retainers too if you've got the $ or plan on building the head later on anyway.

 

thanks, i might start on taking it off today. im just worried about finding tdc for some reason and whether i should pull the intake manifold off with the head or leave it in the car

 

Finding tdc isnt hard, theres marks you line up so as long as you can follow directions its no problem. And take the head off with the mani on it then remove the mani once its out, the middle lower bolt is a bitch to get off while its in the car, unless you have swivel head extensions, but still. Good luck.

 

i dont have the car at my house right now so i cant just go look at it so what all whould i have to unhook to take the intake mani off with the head. i know i need to take the gas line loose etc. but also should i use new head bolts when i put the head back on?

 

Theres a bracke tthat bolts to the underside of the intake mani that runs down to behind the oil pan, undo this bracket. Then theres like 3 coolant hoses and 3 vac hoses, just unhook everything connected to it. And yes use new head bolts.

 

i guess ill start on it tommoro. wish me some luck

 

thanks blah