Nick_Cartwright

The setup on my em1 civic is a b20b block with a b16a2 factory head. The car recently started running really terrible so I took it in to get a diagnostics done. The result of this is very low compression because the head gasket blew . I am gonna be pulling the head off this weekend to go ahead and do a full gasket kit on the top end. My mechanic says that whoever put the b20 block on the car probably used a head gasket for the block instead of the head...he believes the head was sucking for air due to the wrong head gasket covering a very vital port... I have never dealt with this kind of setup before so I need some help from you guys PLEASE!!! This is what I would like feedback on:

1. Is it a normal thing for people to use b20b block with factory b16 head?
2. Are the head gaskets for these two the same? Because when I look them up they seem to be slightly different.
3. If they are not the same shouldnt I use the gasket for the head??
4. I am not gonna be boosting motor should I still replace head bolts just to be safe??

I will be pulling it all off this weekend and back together as well because this is my daily driver I need it back on the road.

kyden

people usually use golden eagle headgaskets, but plenty have used b20 gaskets without failure (as long as you remove one of the rivets). what your mechanic told you is wrong.

a non-vtec gasket partially blocks some of the coolant ports on the head. not enough to cause overheating or a blown gasket though. you can't use a b16 or b18 gasket as your bore is 84mm. I would go with a golden eagle gasket.

Nick_Cartwright

I did forget to mention on my original post that I didnt have ANY overheating problems what so ever...There is also no water in my oil or vice versa...the gasket simply blew right at the edge just enough to get air flow..

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

So?

Nick_Cartwright

So you are saying just make sure i use either a b20 head gasket or a golden eagle gasket? If I get the golden eagle which specific one should I buy and are they usually available locally? (Doubt they are just asking because IDK if I can wait to get one on order)

Nick_Cartwright

Could you explain what you mean by "So?"

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

"So?" as in what does this matter?

Nick_Cartwright

I was just simply stating just in case anyone was to ask the info was already on the thread because there has already been about 10 ppl ask about the oil and antifreeze..

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

There are NO set signs for a headgasket. Your situation is no untypical in case anyone gets it in their head that if the coolant and oil isn't mixing it must be something else.