I have a b16a3 Del sol.

Its all stock, and I Came into a bit of money now and want to fix it and maybe hook it up a little. First things first I have not been driving it lately because it had a head gasket that was very bad and causing the radiator to overheat but temp gauge in the car showing its fine. So I started with the head gasket oil leak. I got a head gasket from napa and took it to get resurfaced at the best machine shop in NE florida that was recommend to me by alot of people. So I used the tourqe pattern and specs on this site, cleaned the block surface well, took my head out of the wrapping they gave it to me in made sure it was all flat and perfect (and it was, and clean as ****) here are some pics of it

BEFORE:


AFTER:


everything before I put it on ( the head has cardboard under it don't worry =p)



At any rate its still leaking oil from the head gasket, and my radiator overheats if I hit vtec during a trip. I am also getting a 21 and 22 code but I need a new solinoid and I know that already but does not explain the head gasket still leaking. I reused the head bolts. IF I don't give up on the car alltogether, which I'm seriouesly thinking of doing this week, I MIGHT go to honda and buy head bolts and a Honda head gasket but I just wasted all the money doing this job and I'm pretty pissed/dissapointed and about to just sell everything, motor, put a D series in it and sell the car. I have learned alot from my first head job. use honda ******* parts. expletive napa and advanced auto part sloppy ****.


Modified by Hellraver at 6:05 AM 2/2/2007

 

Any advise/help? If not I'm gonna sell it =| I hate spending money and days working and nothing changes.

 

did you resurface your head?

 

you reused your head bolts?

 

Yes "I got a head gasket from napa and took it to get resurfaced at the best machine shop in NE florida that was recommend to me by alot of people." I took a 45min trip to take my head to get resurfaced.

Yes I reused my head bolts.

Do you think If I got new head bolts and a head gasket from honda it will solve my problems once and for all?

 

Headbolts are usually a one time use thing.

 

oem head bolts should not be reused...

 

So if I order some ARP head bolts can I still use the head gasket and just re-torque it down and that correct the problem?

 

That's very good, put your resurfaced head on the ground. After all these are not precision parts anyway. Love it when I see engine parts laying on the rough surface.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hellraver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">( the head has cardboard under it don't worry =p)</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

yesh I know this. If you look closely at the picture you can also see the tape the machine shop put on the head holding the cardboard under it on.

 

Anyways back to the problem at hand. Will all I have to get is ARP studs to correct my problem here? If so I will be pretty happy ...... Someone that has dealt with a warped head and head gasket leak before could most likely awnser all my questions in one shot.

 

Searching for ARP studs/bolts ..... anyone know a good place with a price under 100$ say around 80-90?


Modified by Hellraver at 6:46 AM 2/2/2007

 

no, vtec HB's "should" be the same..... B16, B18c(#).....NOT B18a or B18b

 

Any place you recommend I should order from?

 

Check modacar.com

 

the only place i would buy gaskets is from honda. nowhere else. unless its a better gasket from a REPUTABLE company.

 

Cometic and OEM honda is the only Headgasket that I would recommend.

You know I would check your block man. Make sure it's nice and flat.

Also don't forget to put the oil ring back on head for the Vtec that is between cylinders #2 & 3.

Be generous on the Moly grease when putting the head studs or head bolts.

If you are going to do the Timing belt by yourself then I would suggest some tie straps to secure the belt to the cam gears.

GL with the repairs.