P0117 is coolant temp sensor which needs to work for Vtec
There are actually three temp sensors. The 2-wire temp switch for the fan on thermostat housing, the 1-wire temp sending unit for the dash gauge under the distributor, and the 3-wire temp sensor for the ECU forward of the sending unit under the distributor. The last sensor is related to CEL code P0117. You might have a bad sensor but since you just pulled the head and all was fine before maybe you plugged the connectors in wrong??
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