Replacing Blown Head Gasket

When replacing a blown head gasket. Do I need to have the heads re surfaced or can I just replace the gasket and clean out the oil and I'm done?? What's the best method??

I think if the head looks warped then have it machined. But if you think it's ok and looks straight then don't bother. By the way I think you can use Z6 or Y8 head gaskets or something and they are metal which is better than the crappy cardboard our cars came with.

it depends on the damage on the head. Usually you wont have to get any machine work done. Just make sure that all of the old gasket material is cleaned off

Great... I'm pulling it off today and gonna see what it looks like. Where can I get those metal gaskets??

The dealer.

Originally posted by kris
The dealer.

Yup, Honda Parts Dept. should have it, or be able to order you some. But go ask around to make sure they fit, go to Honda-Tech.com and double check. I think pretty much all D-series gaskets are the same but you better check to be sure. I also know using one of these metal ones will change your compression so go find out which would would be better to use.

I would send it to a machine shop and have it pressure checked and resurfaced, probaly about $100. In your profile it says B16 if that what you have, a D series head gasket wont work...


gunnmen01

Originally posted by gunnmen01
I would send it to a machine shop and have it pressure checked and resurfaced, probaly about $100. In your profile it says B16 if that what you have, a D series head gasket wont work...


gunnmen01

Yeah I never even looked at that, but then again he never said he was replacing the one on his own car did he?

Originally posted by FourthGenHatch


Yup, Honda Parts Dept. should have it, or be able to order you some. But go ask around to make sure they fit, go to Honda-Tech.com and double check. I think pretty much all D-series gaskets are the same but you better check to be sure. I also know using one of these metal ones will change your compression so go find out which would would be better to use.

its a'ok to use a metal one for the d series... and yeah it'll bump you compression... but its very minimal.. but its still a gain...

just get a 92-95 gasket off a EX/Si. Thats your best bet, its metal of course. And the compression raise is small. The 88-91 1.6 motors run 9.1-1 and the 92-95 1.6 motors run 9.2-1....so you can see its not a whole lot hehe, but heck i'm doin it, the newer gaskets are a little stronger and more realible.

ForthGenHatch - I learned all of that off HT just passin it on hehe ;)

I have a B16 in my 91 hatch. I just bought a 90 LX sedan cheap and want to get it running right, get it smogged, then throw a ZC in it. I think I'll just go w/ the cork gasket just to get by since I'm swapping it out anyways. I just need it to pass smog. Thanks for all the help.

Getting the head resurfaced this afternoon and going to put it back on. Now.... what's the best method to get that chocolate milk outta my motor??

Originally posted by erbinone
Getting the head resurfaced this afternoon and going to put it back on. Now.... what's the best method to get that chocolate milk outta my motor??


Is the block still in the car?

Yeah... block is still in the car.

Originally posted by erbinone
Yeah... block is still in the car.

take a straight edge and check to make sure your block isn't warped as well. put the straight edge diagonally across the block and check it out. i have my fingers crossed for ya.

did they happen to tell you how far the head was warped? that will give you an idea if the block warped much as well.

Picking head up soon. I'll ask. Then I'll check the block. How do I get rid of the cholate milk though? I'm gioing try this, if all else fails....ZC Swap!

Ok, got head back and some engine flush. Block looks fine. Any other tips before I throw the head back on? Do I need to put some sealer on the gasket before I put it on??

Originally posted by erbinone
Ok, got head back and some engine flush. Block looks fine. Any other tips before I throw the head back on? Do I need to put some sealer on the gasket before I put it on??

No sealer. New gasket, head, bolts, torque, etc.

Great! That's tomorrows project. Will let you guys know how it went. Thanks for all the help!!!

Originally posted by erbinone
Great! That's tomorrows project. Will let you guys know how it went. Thanks for all the help!!!


Did you get new head bolts? ;)

No i didn't... should I have?? Where can I get new ones and why would I need them?

yes, honda, and they stretch out when you torque em down so they are supposed to be replaced every time you pull the head...

Originally posted by jeef
yes, honda, and they stretch out when you torque em down so they are supposed to be replaced every time you pull the head...


Or you could get ARP head bolts, which are reusable. However, I do know of people reusing their headbolts. WOuld I recommend it? For a temp fix, sure, why not. But in the long run, no.

Thanks for the info. I want to get the head back on and see if it will pass smog before I swap in a ZC. We'll see what happens though. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

Got head back on, cleaned out the "Chocolate Milk" and flushed the radiator. Now the oil really looks like oil again. I will drive it tomorrow for a lil' while to make sure it runs right. Thanks for all the help guys and gurl!

rock on! let us know how the test drive period goes :)

Originally posted by kris



Or you could get ARP head bolts, which are reusable. However, I do know of people reusing their headbolts. WOuld I recommend it? For a temp fix, sure, why not. But in the long run, no.

I've learn the hard way:(

Hmmm... this morning after testing it last night... I checked the oil and guess what.... chocolate milk again. I drained that oil and put in some cheap shit just see if it would happen again. We'll see what happens.... I'm letting it idle for 30 mins. then draining the oil again. If it's dirty again.....can you say MOTORSWAP. :devil:

Originally posted by erbinone
can you say MOTORSWAP. :devil:

Motorswap!;)

We'll see... I already got like $100 into trying to save this motor. Oh well.... if it would have worked it could have saved me some money...lol.

you really should give it a 300-500 mile break in. don't run it too hard. you need to let things settle in....and all the left over stuff to burn or circulate out. again i have my fingers crossed for ya.

my head gasket went. had the head all reground and then rebuilt it. stuck it back on and still had issues. :( one of the cylinder walls is grooved. i'm pretty sure the rings aren't doing there job anymore. pulled it out for a y8. the a6 is now in a 4 door. it runs but not like it should. now that it's kinda like a spare engine i'm toying with the idea of having the bottom end bore out

Hmmm.... I should give it time, run it a lil' and keep changing the oil out then?

Originally posted by jeef
yes, honda, and they stretch out when you torque em down so they are supposed to be replaced every time you pull the head... :confused:

At honda, we just reuse the headbolts and we don't have any rechecks. Just make sure you do the double torque.