Thanks for all the input. One more question - worth it to pull the heat shield for easier access to the valve gaps on the exhaust side?

EDIT - After poking around a bit on youtube, I came across the DIYGuys video for pulling the transmission. That video shows how to remove the heat shield. Look like the key is using a swivel head ratcheting wrench to loosen that one tough bolt back near the firewall. I am going to give it a try. Maybe next weekend. Having done this once before the one thing that made me uneasy was that, for cylinder three and four especially, it is hard to be sure you have a level feeler gauge, and if its tilted, it is going to feel tighter than it actually is. So, for accuracy with the exhaust valves, I think it will help a lot to have that shield out of the way.

 

It can be a real bear re-installing the bolts to secure the heat shied. I took a look at it and decided to keep the shield in place. I found my set of "bent" feeler gauge worked just fine. Just be careful leaning over the fender that you don't dent or scratch it.

 

The one time I did this I felt that the tight quarters on the exhaust side caused by the heat shield were affecting my ability to get the feeler gauges level and be confident in the measurements.

 

It's easy to get the front 3 bolts, I just used a box-end wrench to loosen the back one enough so the shield slips out.

In regards to the seals, I replace those every time I do a valve adjustment. I just use a set of pliers to pull out the old ones by grabbing hold of the metal ring in the seals and giving it a sharp tug downward.

 

Yeah definitely get OEM and it's not even expensive from Honda. Can't beat the quality.

 

That's correct.

 

I opened it up today. I adjusted the valves, inspected the retainers, and changed the spark plugs. I ended up removing the heat shield. It is not nearly as hard as it looks. An extra long 10mm ratcheting box wrench with a swivel head is very helpful as far as getting at that one tough bolt on the firewall. In my opinion it makes a big difference as far as feeler gauge access on the exhaust side and it is well worth the effort. I don't think it took me 10 minutes to get it off. Maybe if I was more experienced with the feeler gauges and I was doing VAs all the time I would skip it. But, personally I liked having the better access. The tube seals were like brand new so I did not change them. The motor gets a clean bill of health. Cross that off the list.