As I stated in a previous reply, make sure you find the source and correct it before starting the car up, the previous damage did not happen for no reason.

I always pre-lube the mating parts when I put them in like that, douse them in motor oil on assembly , I guess assembly lube would be okay too, but motor oil is enough. Use a good torque wrench, and oil the bolt threads. If you haven't checked the vtec solenoid screen I would do that as a precaution, make sure there isn't any material collected at the screen.

 

For the record….an oem untouched camwheel bolt will not back out. This is not an “issue” with the S2000.

This happens after headwork, and someone forgets to torque it.

 

...or replaced leaking o ring, and tightened by feel, not torque wrench?

 

It takes as much torque as a drain bolt ~33ft/lbs IIRC you can get that by feel, but you need practice. You need to work in the field, a yearly oil change when you put the car up for storage isn't enough muscle memory. You get it from a few track days and daily, or working at a dealership, or even a trusty Jiffy Lube.

And the ones who wrench on these cars for a living obviously.

 

Ok. But if its not unheard-of for someone doing headwork to fail to tighten it enough, then all the more so someone just changing o ring.

 

The oil channel on the bottom of the original Cam Cap 1 looks bone dry.

 

Replaced Cams, Cam Caps, and Cam sensors.
Replacing gasket/screen for the V-tech solenoid.
Checking Camwheel bolt torque.
Changing oil filter + oil change (obviously)

Anything else I should look for/do before trying to start it? Is there a way to be sure the top end is getting oil?
Just want to be sure I cover the bases as well as possible to avoid any future issues.

 

A good valve adjustment.

It has been a few years since I took the caps off, I think one of them has an o-ring that is used. If so, make sure the o-ring is in place. Correct me if I am wrong.

I don't know how you guarantee oil flow to the top end, other than running the engine and doing a follow-up inspection.

 

Read the service manual

 

Im almost tempted to suggest to drop the oil pan to see if there's any chunks. At least cut open the filter, if you at least drain the oil use a strong magnet to see if you can slide any chunks to the oil drain hole.