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Head will not seal

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Old 06-18-2011, 06:50 PM
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Default Head will not seal

i have a D15B7 engine that burnt a valve. i ordered a head from a local yard and installed it myself (no resurface was done), using the triply metal gasket and stock (old bolts), it predictably didn't seal right. in order to fix the issue i have ordered ARP head studs and had the head resurfaced. the head didn't seal again. before i throw the engine away, i would like to see if there is anything i am doing wrong.
suggestions, advice?
Old 06-18-2011, 07:02 PM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

If it makes you feel any better Ash I don't know of anyone that ever had any luck putting a head gasket in a D15B7/D15B8 I know a couple of people that put 5 head gaskets in one engine before giving up. You can try having the block decked and see if that helps. Honestly I tend to just recommend people pick up a JDM D15B non-vtec or SOHC non-vtec ZC when the head gasket goes in one of these. Btw even if it does seal, they tend to start burning oil very soon after.
Old 06-18-2011, 07:21 PM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

ugh, that means i will have to deal with shady engine suppliers...
Old 06-18-2011, 07:32 PM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

I'll just toss in a few things I can think of

Are you torquing the head studs?
Are you torquing them in the right pattern?
Have you checked the resurface to make sure it's all straight? Straight edge check?
Old 06-18-2011, 07:57 PM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

the head is being torqued down properly. the head was checked after the resurface to be true. i have no idea on the state of the block.
Old 06-19-2011, 01:25 AM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

I'm guessing you probably smashed one of the dowel pins or got something else jammed in there.

I sold one of my spare blocks to a guy and he was complaining that my block was bad, so I warrantied it. I checked compression and it was slightly lower in cylinder #1, so I pulled off the head and it turns out he smashed one of the dowel pins and torqued the head down anyway. This is a pic of what he did:


After the dowel pin was replaced, everything sealed up like it should.


Anyway, it only takes about 25-30 minutes to pull a D15B7 head off and even less time if you don't have a/c or power steering. I think it's worth the time to pull it off to see what went wrong.
Old 06-19-2011, 01:27 AM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

Oh wow, I didn't catch that Ash was the OP. How did you manage to stumble into tech? Also, why are you driving a stinkin Honda?
Old 06-19-2011, 01:41 PM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

Originally Posted by slomofo
Oh wow, I didn't catch that Ash was the OP. How did you manage to stumble into tech? Also, why are you driving a stinkin Honda?
in my previous life as user 90crxsi i lived in the CRX section. i know quite a bit about hondas and cars in general. i also have a few hondas, including this canadian transplant.
the dowels are seated square, would replacing the completely be a good idea?
Old 06-19-2011, 05:04 PM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

I had my d15b7 block and head decked so far so good. Shop guy said the aluminium shrinks away more than the cylinders over time and causes sealing troubles.
Old 06-20-2011, 10:56 PM
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Default Re: Head will not seal

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