Honda Civic head resurfacing. Valves are too high?

Question, i took the head off my 2002 civic lx and i was checking it with a straight edge. When i pass it over the mating surface, it hits the open valves. Is removing the valves a must when milling it? I've seen other heads with the valves completely closed when being milled.

Motor is a d17a1 btw.

When they mill a head they remove the valves first. They mark them and put them back where they belong after the milling job. And they take the cam off and put that back on as before. It is safer that way as milling is grinding on the head. If the head is removed, how could the valves be open? If the cam is in the head some could be open. You'd better measure the "quench" in each cylinder against the depth the valve sticks out. Take the cam off genius. You could take the cam off, but a better job would be to remove the valves too, then refit them in the same positions and grind them back in. You didn't remove the camshafts to release the valves. You can check the head for warpage with out removing the camshafts. Check it on either side of the head and down the middle. If you have more than.004" of clearance you need the head machined. Use a feeler gauge under the straight edge. Does shinning a flash light at the straight edge show any light under the straight edge? Now I'm wondering if you even know how to get the motor timing right when putting the timing belt on! REMOVE the cam(s), Einstein! LOL

If the head is removed, how could the valves be open?

If the cam is in the head some could be open.

You'd better measure the "quench" in each cylinder against the depth the valve sticks out.

Take the cam off genius.

You could take the cam off, but a better job would be to remove the valves too, then refit them in the same positions and grind them back in.

You didn't remove the camshafts to release the valves. You can check the head for warpage with out removing the camshafts. Check it on either side of the head and down the middle. If you have more than.004" of clearance you need the head machined. Use a feeler gauge under the straight edge. Does shinning a flash light at the straight edge show any light under the straight edge? Now I'm wondering if you even know how to get the motor timing right when putting the timing belt on!

REMOVE the cam(s), Einstein! LOL