Note. A new or remanufactured cylinder head can always be ordered at a car service workshop or at the warehouse of the car manufacturer's company service center. Due to the need to use some special tools during disassembly and checking the condition of the head, the compilers of this Guide believe that it will be easier and cheaper for an amateur mechanic to purchase a replacement head than to get involved in a rather complicated restoration repair of a worn one.
1. Disassembly of the cylinder head requires prior dismantling of the valve train (intake and exhaust valves with related components). It is assumed that the pushrods and camshafts have already been removed from the head (see part Engine repair without removal from the car - Civic models this Chapter).
2. Before proceeding with the removal of the valve assemblies, prepare the required number of appropriately labeled plastic bags to store the removed components in them (see accompanying illustration).
3. Using a special tool, compress the springs of the first valve and remove the crackers of the split lock of the plate from the groove on the rod (see accompanying illustration). Carefully release the tool and remove the spring plate, springs and their seat from the valve (depending on configuration).
Note. On Integra models, the valve springs are recessed and will require a special tool to compress them.
4. Next, remove the valve from the cylinder head and remove the oil seal from the guide sleeve. If the valve is jammed in the guide sleeve, push it back into the head and with a whetstone or a fine-toothed file, carefully clean the edges of the groove for installing crackers. 5. In the same manner, remove the remaining valve assemblies. Put the removable components of each of the valves in a separate, labeled polyethylene one - during assembly, each part must be installed strictly in its original place.
Note. On models equipped with a VTEC system, do not forget to remove the oil nozzles with o-rings from the head (see parts Engine repair without removal from the car - Civic models or Engine repair without removal from the car - Integra models this Chapter).
6. Once all the valvetrain components have been removed and stowed in an organized manner, you can proceed with the cleaning and inspection procedures for the head (in case of a full-scale reconditioning of the engine, before completing its disassembly).