I’m about to do the valve cover, and oil pan gaskets and my D 16 Y8I’ve watched a dozen videos, still feel I could use some suggestions how to make sure that they don’t leak when I’m done. Or is it a hope for the best and expect the worst. do you guys really torque them to spec, or just get them snug with an extra quarter turn? This is the first time I’ve attempted this, so thank you.

 

When I change the gasket on my B16, I always use genuine Honda gaskets, torque to spec, and use Hondabond where its specified. Never had an issue.

 

* Once valve cover is removed, clean the channel where the gasket sits in as well as the mating surface on the cylinder head.
* Replace all (4) spark plug oil seals along with the (6) bolt washers.
* apply gasket maker (Hondabond or Permatex) on the curves around the camshaft holders
* torque the bolts to 7ft lbs. USE a 10mm 1/4” socket wrench

 

Hello, thank you for taking the time to reply. When referring to applying Permatex to curved surfaces, do you mean, in the valve cover groove, or the surface of the curved part of the gasket? Or both? Thanks! Appreciate your input.

 

If you look at the rubber VC gasket, it will have a large hump on each side. The humps overlap the cam holders (left- distributor and right - cam sprocket). Where the humps make that sharp 90* bend, put RTV/Hondabond on the crevice of the head, not the gasket. You will have 2 on left, 2 on right. Just a little bit, half the size of your pinky finger nail. Once the valve cover is bolted on, it will squish the sealant, hence why you should not overdue it. If so, it will gum up inside the cylinder head.

 

And that’s all that is needed? Correct? Thanks!

 

D16Y8 uses an aluminum oil pan I believe? If so you shouldn't have much to worry about. The steel pans are more of a pita from my experience. Gotta have the mating surfaces nice and dry on the steel ones or else the gasket wants to squeeze out of place when applying torque to the bolts. I also like to use a 1/4" torque wrench for those small bolts and multiply the foot pounds by 12 to get your inch pounds. And don't use the cheap HF 1/4" cause it's trash and doesn't give positive clicks.

 

From what I remember, the 96-00 D16y8’s in Civics came with aluminum oil pans while Del Sols came in steel. That’s how mine is…

 

If you can do something similar or better than this image with the sealant it will be ok. Also torquing the bolts is the only way to tighten the bolts. Be careful if you try the quarter turn method, try to find half a quarter turn before the quarter turn.

 

For B/D/H series oil pans, you don't use sealant. Rubber gasket will suffice.

 

The torque spec on those bolts is very small - do not overtighten or you'll snap them.