Omegax10

As the title states, I'm buying a used b16 head I know its not seized since I saw the car its currently on is running but a friend of mine told me to be wary since the current owner is sketchy. I am getting a good deal on it but just wondering if I took the valve cover off is there anything I should look for as far as red flags?

jbpnoman

The biggest thing I can think of is look at the cams, and make sure they aren't scored or damaged, and make sure the head is relatively clean. Being covered in black, sludgy oil is generally a bad sign.

Omegax10

Now if the cams where damaged would they be repairable or is that a sign of something bigger being messed up? I was planning on swapping in a set of GSR cams is why I ask.

jbpnoman

Damaged cams can be caused by a few things, but if the motor was running well, I think it's a safe assumption that the valves, stem seals, and springs are ok. If there are massive gouges in the cams, the valves might just be mauled to hell.

If you're planning on putting in GSR cams, and this head turns out to be FUBAR, you could pick up a bare head for pretty cheap. Then you'll just need some valves, springs, retainers, and valve guides, and you can put it all together.

Omegax10

Yea I mean it idles fine, vtec pulls hard and hes just gonna pull it tomorrow but I was just wondering if there is anything that could be messed up even if it doesn't show it while running but could be visible.

The guy I am buying it from I know screwed a friend over before with a helicoiled gsr block and he didnt tell him it was helicoiled that's why I'm trying to be extra careful lol thanks for the help so far!

JDM_teh_WIN!!

Look for extreme wear on the rocker arms, like the cams are actually wearing pockets into the rocker arms. It can be hard to notice if the lobe is actually on the rocker arm pad and it can be on 1 or more rocker arms. Try to have someone rotate the engine over manually if possible so you can actually see all the rocker arm pads. Like the other guy said look for wear on the cam lobes. If the cams or rockers are wearing that bad it should be pretty evident. It will be hard to see any other type of damage to the valves or cam caps without disassembling it or removing the head.

Look for any gouges or cracks and the entire head and cam rails should be coated in oil.

Hope that helps.

JDM_teh_WIN!!

Why are you putting GSR cams in a B16 head? I hope it's for a turbo setup cause if its for all motor you will be losing.

JDM_teh_WIN!!

Cams wearing the rockers is not that evident to how the car will run it will run just fine. The wear comes from the springs being installed wrong or using springs with excessive spring seat pressure.

Omegax10

Okay thanks will do! and yep for boost :D