I have an older prelude engine (B20A) I had the bottom end fully built by golden eagle and it is o ringed and I have a copper head gasket from SCE. I was unable to find head studs for my engine so I bought new OEM honda studs. My question is should I torque the head bolts more than factory specs (49 ft lbs) because of the copper gasket? Thanks.

 

ttt

 

No one can help me out? C'mon guys, I know your all smarter than me. Thanks.

 

First off, throw away the copper head gasket and put on an MLS gasket if they make one for that year engine. I tried running copper head gaskets for a year and a half. The damn things never sealed for more than 4-5 passes under boost and nitrous. I tried everything...more bolt tq....o-rings....receiver grooves....silicone.....Hylomar.....etc. I went through 8 head gaskets trying to figure it out. I finally put a stock MLS head gasket on and haven't had a leak in 3 years of racing. But, to answer your question, I would simply tq. it to stock specs. plus 5 ft. lbs.

Later,

ZEX Man

 

use stock gasket instead of copper. they leak.

 

A stock gasket for my engine is made of paper, something like an exhaust gasket, so it will not hold under boost. No one offers anything other than OEM, or the copper one I have. What should I do?

 

I would check to see if any of the newer B series engines have the same bolt pattern and bore spacing. If they do, I would try out those, as they are of MLS design.

Later,
ZEX Man

 

Thanks for the advice, but I havee tried numerous different b-series gaskets and none of them even come close because my engine is so old an non vtec. Thank you though.