I'd my head shaved and the machist had to remove the metal guide dowels ( the thing that make sure your block and head are centered ). Since I have head studs, I didn't missing them and I installed the head without them.
Think that's a problem ?

 

studs aren't a direct fit in the heads holes.... i'd take the head off, trim the dowel pins height and then use them.

I would think the head WILL shift with just headstuds. The dowels are the way the head gets centered and all... the studs/bolts just hold it down.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by splitime &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">studs aren't a direct fit in the heads holes.... i'd take the head off, trim the dowel pins height and then use them.

I would think the head WILL shift with just headstuds. The dowels are the way the head gets centered and all... the studs/bolts just hold it down.</TD></TR></TABLE>

He's right, without the dowel pins the head probably isn't centered properly and your chance of blowing the headgasket is going to be way higher.

 

Yea, that's what I figured. Another 3 hours down the drain.... Ole-well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 89dxhunchback &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yea, that's what I figured. Another 3 hours down the drain.... Ole-well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Headgaskets are easy. Looks like you're near me, I'm in New Tampa. Holler if you need some help.

 

Thanx for the thought, but this will be about the 6-7th time replacing a D-16 HG. I've got it down to about 3 hours with cleaning the head and block really well. Just screwed up that time and forgot the damn dowel pins...

 

Just don't forget to grind them down to a shorter height. You don't want to install it all with a shaved head and find afterwards... they lift it up

 

I don't know if that apples to hondas or not, but yea that's a really great tip and thanx for reminding me.

My freind has a buick Grand National. We had to pull the engine to change the heads, only to reallize later that the new heads had a lower deck height and the dowel pins warpped the heads !!! We had to pull the engine AGAIN to shorten the pins, re-shave the head, and change the $$$$ head gaskets.

He may have 550hp, but I can change my HG in 3 hours, hehe...

 

You have to pull the whole engine to take the heads off a Grand National? Damn that's alot of work for something like a headgasket replacement.