H22CD7

I had my timing belt break on me in my DA not too long ago and I bent some valves. The engine had 200K on it so I just decided to get a replacment head from a 95' LS. So I pull my old head off to replace it with the new one and I noticed my pistons are all chewed up. Did breaking my timing belt cause the damage to my pistons? I assume there not usable anymore? What are my options? I was hoping I could get away with just replacing the head but it doesnt look like thats going to happen anymore. What would be the cheapest way of going about fixing everything? I dont have the time or money for a full rebuild but want to replace everything that needs to be done when pulling the motor apart that far.

MR.johnson

show pics.

Dogginator

How badly were the valves bent? It sounds like the pistons may have hammered a few.

1998b18c1

if ur motor has 200k miles on it then replace the whole engine. if ur going to just replace the head, then at least replace the pistons as well. a very common mistake in replacing heads or head gaskets in high mileage motors is not replacing piston rings...but since ur pistons are damaged then piston replacement is a must. DAMN ANOTHER B-SERIES HEAD IN THE GARBAGE for a measley $150 dollar "D.I.Y" job or paid at the most $450 for the dealer to replace.

Padawan

It's certainly possible that the valve/piston contact is what caused the damage to your pistons. Depending upon how severe the damage is, you may simply be able to sand down the damaged areas to eliminate sharp edges (and therefore hot spots), and re-use them.

Sam92Teg

Drop the oil pan, windage tray and pickup. Unbolt the rod bolts and push the pistons up and out. This is a perfect opportunity to upgrade to some PR3 B16 pistons that will up your compression a bit for better performance, and the cost is exactly the same. Take your new pistons and your old piston and rod combos to the machine shop and have them swap them over. You can also have some ARP rod bolts installed at this time to make your bottom end more reliable.

Check the block and crank for the numbers needed to select your new rod bearings. Plastigauge these bearings as you install them for proper clearances. You can buy Hastings piston rings if you want to save 50% of the cost and check the ring end gaps with a feeler gauge. From what I have heard, they usually fall within spec straight out of the box. Use a ring compressor to install the pistons.

Use a new head gasket when you install the new head.

The pistons should run $200
Hastings piston rings $60
OEM rod bearings $85
OEM Head gasket $60

Now you have a fresh bottom end minus the Main bearings.
I would have your head checked at a machine shop and have valve seals installed.

If all of this is too much for you, you can buy a used motor for around the same as above. Good luck to you.