Allow the engine to cool completely before beginning this procedure. Position the number one piston at Top Dead Center. Disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery, ensuring you have the correct activation code for the radio if it has an anti-theft system. Drain the cooling system and remove the spark plugs. Remove the air cleaner duct and housing, followed by the drivebelts. Unbolt the power steering pump and set it aside without disconnecting any hoses, then remove the power steering pump bracket. Disconnect the throttle cable from the throttle body and relieve the fuel system pressure. Disconnect the fuel feed hose, evaporative emission control hose, breather hose, and PCV hose. Disconnect the coolant bypass hose, heater hose, and upper radiator hose. Disconnect the electrical connectors for the fuel injectors, engine coolant temperature sensor, engine coolant temperature switch, temperature sender, throttle position sensor, manifold absolute pressure sensor, oxygen sensor, EGR valve lift sensor, VTEC solenoid, VTEC pressure switch, and idle air control valve. Support the engine with a floor jack, placing a wood block between the jack pad and the oil pan to avoid damage. Remove the left engine mount bracket, then remove the intake manifold brace and exhaust manifold flange bolts. You may wish to detach the intake manifold or exhaust manifold to make handling the cylinder head easier. Remove the valve cover and the distributor, including the cap and wires. Remove the timing belt, rocker arm assembly, and camshaft. Loosen the cylinder head bolts in 1/4-turn increments until they can be removed by hand, working in a reverse pattern of the tightening sequence to avoid warping the cylinder head. Lift the cylinder head off the engine, prying between the power steering pump bracket and the engine block if resistance is felt, and set the head on blocks of wood to prevent damage to the gasket sealing surfaces. Check the cylinder head for warpage. The mating surfaces of the cylinder head and block must be perfectly clean when the head is installed. Use a gasket scraper to remove all traces of carbon and old gasket material, then clean the mating surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone. Ensure there is no oil on the mating surfaces to prevent gasket sealing issues. Stuff the cylinders with clean shop rags to keep out debris and use a vacuum cleaner to remove any material that falls into the cylinders. Check the block and cylinder head mating surfaces for nicks, deep scratches, and other damage, using a file for slight damage and considering machining for excessive damage. Use a tap of the correct size to chase the threads in the cylinder head bolt holes and a wire brush to remove corrosion and clean the bolt threads. Place a new gasket on the engine block, ensuring any markings face UP, and apply sealant to the edges of the timing chain cover where it mates with the engine block. Set the cylinder head in position, lubricate the threads and seats of the cylinder head bolts with clean engine oil, then install and tighten them in the recommended sequence, in four stages, to the specified torque. A beam-type or dial-type torque wrench is preferable, and if a bolt makes any sound while tightening, loosen it completely and retighten in the specified steps. Attach the camshaft sprocket to the camshaft and install the timing belt. Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise slowly by hand through two complete revolutions and recheck the alignment marks on the sprockets, stopping to recheck the camshaft timing if any resistance is felt. Reinstall the remaining parts in the reverse order of removal, refill the cooling system, and check all fluid levels. Start the engine and check the ignition timing, then run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached, checking for leaks and proper operation.
Posted by AcuraPartsWarehouse Specialist 
