imported_monsoon

Hey all,

I'm replacing the head gasket on my 92 civic DX.

What's the best way of finding TDC (Top Dead Centre) on the #1 cylinder?

Also, is it necessary to remove the rocker arm assembly, distributor and intake manifold when replacing the head gasket?

I have the exhaust manifold and valve cover removed so I just want to know if it's necessary to remove these other parts before I start removing the head bolts. Any other tips to make this repair go smoothly would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Matt

imported_mplays

The intake manifold is your option. you have to take off the hoses and electrical as well as the throttle cable. This will save you a intake manifold gasket. or you can remove the intake manifold and avoid having to remove all the other parts just mentioned. In that scenerio. you just push back the manifold off the head. I am almost sure you don't have to remove the rocker assembly to take the head off. As long as you can access the head bolts. remove only what you need to for haed bolt access. You don't have to take the distributer. but do it anyway.

The best way to find TDC. is to push the piston in the number one Cylinder to the top position. then set the point on the crankshaft to the pointer on the lower timing belt cover. I would suggest getting a Haynes manual at Canadian Tire. It ain't a honda manual but it's decent for a $20 book. It can guide you through the procedure. It is a good idea to get the head checked for warps. Any machine shop can do this but you will want to go to a good shop.

Hope this helped
good luck

imported_monsoon

Thanks for the info!
Ya I have a Haynes manual for my car but sometimes I find they tell you to do more work than necessary. And their procedure for finding TDC is a little confusing but I think I got it now, except for how to actually turn the engine over into that position. Would removing all the spark plugs and then turning the engine with the timing belt sprocket thats attatched to the cam shaft be ok? Why would removing the distributor be a good idea?
Thanks again for the help!

Jugglez

Get the head shaved down a little to ensure flatness... it's cheap insurance... think of it this way.. if you skip this part and it turns out the head is warped you'll have to do everything all over again, including buying a new head gasket. Visit www.leitnerbush.com for info on cylinder head shaving.

Use a magnetic pan to store all the misc nuts, bolts, and screws while the head is off. trust me this makes things a whole lot easier when you go to put everything back on

imported_mplays

The best way to do it when you remove the head is to set TDC on the block first. Turn the crank by way of the crank pulley. again just turn it until the #1 piston is at the top and then set the point on the crankshaft to the pointer on the lower timing belt cover.

Set the head to the number one postion before you put on the head. Just turn the camshaft gear until the marks on the gear line up as described in the book.

A machine shop will probably remove the distrbuter anyway so might asa well take it off

imported_monsoon

I'm just about ready to take the head off but I need to get the timing belt off the camshaft sprocket. Do I need to go through the whole process of removing the engine mount, and power steering pump in order to remove the lower half of the timing belt cover and gain access to the belt tensioneer? Or is there an easier way to get the belt off the camshaft sprocket?