The official Honda service manual warns against bending the valves while installing the cam cover. It can happen pretty easily. But it is even easier to avoid it, once you are aware of the danger.

Because the engine's valves are at an angle, and the cam cover installs straight down, it is possible for one or more rocker arms to catch a valve stem on its side instead of straight onto its tip. Tightening down the cam cover can then bend those valves.

The manual has you avoid this mainly by watching where the rocker arms are as you install the cam cover. Pro Honda mechanics went a step further. We loosened the rocker adjusting screws until they were flush with the rockers. This makes doubly sure the valves won't be caught on their sides as the cam cover proceeds downward. It also makes installing the cam cover generally easier as there is less valve spring force to deal with.

As any career Honda mechanic will tell you, because of the very high heat at this spot, the o-ring type rubber gasket on the cam cover should be lightly supplemented with Hondabond 4 sealer. This is an unusual case, as rubber and sealers are not usually combined.

Another thing to be aware of is the tach drive gear machined into the camshaft. The right side of the cam cover will tend to hang up on this gear, making it look like it won't install. Turning the crankshaft back and forth a few degrees is all that is needed to mesh the gear and allow the cam cover to settle down. Due to the cam lobes however the cam cover will still sit unevenly at first placement.

Tighten the hex bolts slowly and evenly, the four in the center first, partway, then the next outer hex bolts, partway, constantly on the lookout for the rocker arm and valve interference mentioned above, and any hangups in general. Then repeat to two-thirds tightened, then again fully snugged. Slow is the way. You should use the factory fasteners here, not Allen (socket head) screws. The aluminum threads in the head are not very deep and will not stand the abuse of overtightening. Once the cam cover is fully seated, use a torque wrench on the hex bolts, again beginning in the center and working gradually outward to the hex bolts farther out. When all the hex bolts are carefully torqued to 70 inch-pounds, then the Phillips screws can be tightened using a cordless impact.