Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair

Prior to removing cylinder head, ensure coolant temperature is below 100°F.
1. Rotate crankshaft until No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on compression stroke, with camshaft sprocket and flywheel timing marks aligned as outlined in ``Cam Drive Sprocket & Timing Belt, Replace.''
2. Disconnect battery ground cable and drain cooling system.
3. Remove brake booster vacuum tube and disconnect secondary ground cable from valve cover.
4. Disconnect air intake duct and vacuum hoses, as needed, then remove air cleaner cover.
5. On models with carbureted engine, proceed as follows:
a. Disconnect electrical connectors from fuel cut-off solenoid, automatic choke and thermo sensor.
b. Disconnect fuel lines.
c. On California and High Altitude models, disconnect hoses from air jet controller.
6. On models with fuel injection, proceed as follows:
a. Relieve fuel pressure by placing shop towel over service bolt on fuel filter and loosening bolt approximately 1 turn.
b. Disconnect fuel supply and return hoses, then plug hoses.
c. Disconnect engine sub-harness electrical connectors from intake manifold and cylinder head mounted components, noting position for installation.
d. Disconnect electrical connector to oxygen sensor.
7. Disconnect wires from spark plugs, then remove distributor assembly.
8. Disconnect throttle cable.
9. Disconnect No. 1 control box vacuum hoses from vacuum manifold and vacuum hoses from charcoal canister, noting position for installation.
10. On models with A/C, disconnect hoses from idle-up solenoid.
11. Disconnect upper radiator hose and the bypass and heater inlet hoses, and remove hose between thermostat housing and intake manifold.
12. Remove bolts securing exhaust manifold and bracket, then remove manifold.
13. Remove bolts securing intake manifold and bracket and disconnect breather hose from manifold.
14. Remove valve cover and upper timing belt cover.
15. Loosen timing belt tensioner, then remove timing belt from camshaft sprocket.
16. Loosen cylinder head bolts evenly, 1/3 turn at a time, in reverse of tightening sequence, Fig. 10, then remove bolts and the cylinder head.

Fig. 10 Cylinder head bolt tightening sequence. 1984-87 Civic & CRX & 1988 Prelude w/fuel injected engine:

17. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Ensure cylinder head dowel pins, oil control jet O-ring and jet are properly aligned.
b. Prior to installing cylinder head, ensure No. 1 piston is at TDC and that ``UP'' mark on camshaft sprocket is at the top. After installing cylinder head, do not rotate camshaft and/or crankshaft independently as engine may be damaged.
c. Torque cylinder head bolts in 2 steps, following sequence shown in Fig. 10. First torque bolts to 22 ft. lbs., then torque bolts to value listed in ``Engine Tightening Specifications.''
d. Install timing belt and adjust valve timing as outlined in ``Cam Drive Sprocket & Timing Belt, Replace.''
e. When refilling cooling system, loosen bleed bolt on heater valve until coolant flows without air, then tighten bolt.