Head Gasket Replacement on '91 Honda Civic

Step 6 Head Removal

1) Remove the spark plugs (easy). Inspect them for deposits, arcing, cracks, corrosion....Oh hell! Just replace them! It's $10 well spent.

2) Remove ground wires and then the valve cover (easy). See video.

2) Inspect the film coating the inside of the cover; see attached video. I've since learned that it if you've been taking care of your engine, it should look like clean motor oil. If not, it'll look like mine did: goobered molasses. Clean it out! Inspect the gaskets as well and replace them all if they look brittle or cracked. The gasket kit costs about $25.

3) Remove the upper timing belt cover, mark the position of the belt with respect to the pulley, if you're re-using the belt, and slip off the timing belt (easy).

4) Mark the exact position of the timing pulley with respect to the head; this is important for reassembly!

None of this marking business is important if you plan to re-set the valves and pistons with respect to TDC, or Top-Dead-Center. If that's your plan, better have the manual handy and follow the directions carefully.

5) Unbolt the head by using a 1/2" drive socket as you'll need all the leverage you can muster. A breaker bar may be required (not that easy, but not hard).

6) Inspect the bolts and set them aside taking care not to ding them in any way.

7) Slip a large screwdriver or pry bar somewhere in between the head and the engine block and carefully lever the head up to see if the unit lift out with just your hands. It should move easily. If not, then you'll need a hammer and putty knife to get into the gasket area itself (see the manual and other sources for this process). Lift the head (easy, for me, at least).

8) Place the head in a large pan because it will drip lots of oil.