Ported/Polished/Decked head is on. Now whats up?
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ontario
Rep Power: 381 
Ported/Polished/Decked head is on. Now whats up?
OK so the new head is on. When I started it the RPM's went right up to 2K after running for about 2 minutes the RPM's started going up and down over and over again. There's a mechanical noise that I can hear too which spooks me out. I didn't drain fluids before I pulled it, but I drained all the oil and flushed it with a quart before I ever even started it. One belt squeals but thats and easy fix. I Zip tied the cam gear to the belt before I ever even pulled the head off so timing should be right on. I know about the Idle learn procedure but the car was off the battery for 12 hours so I'd imagine I don't need to pull the ECU fuse. Any suggestions as to the noise and and the idle? I set all the valves before I put the head on (I'll do it again after it warms up) and I'll flush the anti freeze when it heats up enough to open the thermostat.
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 313 Did you follow the helms manual when changing the head? There seems to be a lot of folks on here who change stuff around without reading the proper way to do things....And end up with bad results....
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ontario
Rep Power: 381 Actually a buddy works at Tempe Honda here in AZ and I "borrowed" the service manual long enough to copy every page in the "cylinder head" chapter. So yes, everything (including torque sequence and ft lbs) is correct
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 313 If the idle is fluctuating than it sounds like a vacuum leak. Double check all of your hoses first....That's usually what causes it. Check gaskets next - use something called "snoop" to see if you can find any leaks.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ontario
Rep Power: 381 I did order a new head gasket and Intake gasket. The new head had the vtec solonoid on it already so I didn't need a new gasket or o-ring
The noise sounds like a knock. Not very loud. I'm sure it can't be bottom end. Even if some antifreeze got in the oil galleries I flushed everything before I started the car.
Your can zip tie the cam gear to belt and pull it back up onto the cam when you reinstall it.
Good call on the vaccum I'll check it out.
I tightened the valves but I forgot to torque them. The car has only run collectively for 3 minutes so I'll do it before I start it again.
The noise sounds like a knock. Not very loud. I'm sure it can't be bottom end. Even if some antifreeze got in the oil galleries I flushed everything before I started the car.
Your can zip tie the cam gear to belt and pull it back up onto the cam when you reinstall it.
Good call on the vaccum I'll check it out.
I tightened the valves but I forgot to torque them. The car has only run collectively for 3 minutes so I'll do it before I start it again.
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: NV
Rep Power: 813 Mine had a bunch of problems just little things at first. Over time most noises and problems will go away. Just make sure all the little vacuum hoses are securely attached. Now the only thing on mine is rough idle, but that's cause the ports are too big.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ontario
Rep Power: 381 It sounded too slow to be a valve tap. It runs great otherwise. Only bad part was that I finished at 1 AM and keep in mind I have a header to a test pipe to an APC muffler that doesn't muffle ****. All 2.5" piping so it was LOUD!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ontario
Rep Power: 381
Originally Posted by gearbox
Put the stock exhaust back on. Even that will make some noise after the head work 
Stock is too restrictive. Kinda defeats the purpose of letting it breathe better. I'll deal with a rough idle without backpressure.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ontario
Rep Power: 381
Originally Posted by Rufus
I did order a new head gasket and Intake gasket.
Found 2 vacuum lines that were unplugged. Had to get a new power str. belt. Re checked valves and everything runs great. Just raced a early 90's prelude and hung side by side. I think he had more top end cuz he started to pull at about 80. Not much though.
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From: NV
Rep Power: 813 Well I know it's too late, but you did clean the head after porting right? Also replace all 3 gaskets IM, exhaust, head? Don't know why that would be happening otherwise.
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: NV
Rep Power: 813 Okay well this prolly doesn't matter, but did you port match the header? If not, reversion of exhaust gases can occur. Don't think it triggers a cel tho.
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