Beginning to rebuild b18a1 - engine prep questions

[blind34_1]

I've been doing some more reading and asking around. A friend told me that an easy way to tell if a block needs decking is to get a straight piece of metal, stand it on edge, and use a feeler guage to see if there is any space between the block and the metal edge. Seems like a decent idea, or would it be better to send it into a shop, and let them hone the cylinders also?

And block guard = block girdle? I was looking that up, and found this from endyne: http://www.theoldone.com/components/block_girdle/
I can see where you bolt that into the bottom of the block, but I guess I'm missing where it goes on top...I'll need to look at my engine more closely.

And heres a stupid question: Does the head need to be assembled to have a valve job done?


So far my first steps are:

- evaluate block, head condition
- send block, head in for decking (if necessary), cylinder honing.
- order acura oem rebuild kit
- order blockguard from endyne