The Car: 1997 Acura Integra LS (4-Speed Auto) [143,000 miles].
The Problem: Stalled out on the interstate idling in traffic, after review, saw the timing belt was stripped of teeth.

I finally got a friend to tow my car home so I can start messing with it. First thing is first, I gotta find out how much is damaged, if anything. I have a few options to choose from, and I will explain what I can do, and what I don't want to do.

Alright, so my options are:

1.) Pull the head, look and test to see if valves are bent, pistons are damaged, etc.
a) If nothing is wrong, just replace the headgasket and possible the head bolts, and then put a new timing belt on and water pump ( and possibly tensioner ).
b) If just bent valves, I could buy new valves and whatever else I need (valve accessories, lol), put those in, and then put the head back on.
b2) buy a new head (possibly lsvtec?, probly not) and just stick that on.
c) pistons damaged, buy new longblock.

2.) Put a timing belt on, crank the engine by hand, see if any snags, start car, do compression test, if all is well, call it a day, else, pull the head anyways, and redo the timing belt.

3.) Find a leakdown tester? I dont know where to get one or whatever but ive read somewhere that they cost $80, sounds about as good as just buying a new headgasket and pulling the head.


Money is definitely an object, because I've put off the job hunt too much and I need this car working to get to a job.

So..... anyone got any suggestions on the most efficient path I should take?

I have all the time in the world being unemployed and not in school, my tools are somewhat limited, I have a few friends close by with a few goodies (like impact gun) and given I wait for a good day from them I can probably convince them to help me. I lack a lot of experience in engine work, but theres always a day to start learning. I have a helm's manual.