You wont exactly need a whole new head, just parts such as springs, intake/exhaust valves, retainers...and other stuff that needs replacing

 

The way i found out i had a bent valve was from a check engine light. Hope its okay.

 

the way i found it, was the car wouldnt start the next day.

 

drove the car over 50 miles today and everything seemed fine. idle was the same as before and the car still feels like it pulls the same (only took it up to about 6k). i'm still paranoid as hell about every sound the engine makes now. i think i'm gonna try find another owner so i can listen to their engine at idle and compare. hopefully the ticking i'm hearing is just the alternator and not the valves. do you guys think i should get a valve adjustment done? i'm afraid that even if there was little to no damage done immediately, over time it could get worse.

 

YOU FINE DONT TRIP!

 

You did missift, so i think you should at least get it checked out, but its on you.

 

If I were you I would take your car to a local shop and get it looked at before more damages can occur.

 

how much does a compression and leakdown test run?

 

Your car is fine!!
Quit scaring the poor guy. If you had a bent valve your car would definitely idle like shit. I wouldnt waste a penny on any checkup etc if it idled and drove as hard as before.

Just my opinion...

 

thanks for the reassurance trbokev. idle is fine and driveability still seems to be the same. i must be paranoid cause i keep thinking i hear a faint ticking sound now, but i don't know if its the belt and pulleys, or the valves. haven't taken the car into vtec yet cause i have nightmares that the whole thing will blow up in my face. if a compression and leakdown test is cheap i'm just gonna go ahead and do it for peace of mind. i'm also debating if a valve adjustment is in order. any opinions on these proposed measures?