Little back story :

- Bought to replace my 88 CRX DX Automatic
- Plan to keep it pretty much stock engine wise
- Upcoming timing belt, water pump, head gasket etc...

I recently bought a whole bunch of parts for my CRX, one of them being a OEM head gasket (part # 12251-PM5-S02). After receiving the head gasket I was searching online and found this information about Honda Service Bulletin #97-047 :

http://www.rebuiltautoengines.....html

The applicable portion is under the second heading entitled "HEAD GASKET LEAKS" where it mentions the D15B2 engine.

Basically what it says is this :

1. If you are replacing a head gasket that has failed (which I am) that you should use a new head gasket (part # 12251-P01-004) as well as new headbolts (part #90005-PM3-004).

2. If you are replacing a non-leaking head gasket during a routine engine repair on these 1988-95 engines, using an original-style head gasket along
with the old head bolts is acceptable.

My question is this..........

Which head gasket should I use?

If the original head gasket that was on there was faulty from the beginning <U>why are they saying that it is OK to use the same part again</U>? That would imply that the design of the gasket is not at fault but something else, possibly the block?

Also, I am confused as to which way the head gasket goes on there.

From what I can see the gasket is totally symmetrical and has no discernable "This Side Up" markings to it. The only real difference that I can see is around the piston cut-outs :

- One side has one ring around each piston, like such :

0
0
0
0

- Other side has then arranged symmetrically with2 pistons on one side and 2 on the other with a noticeable joint between the two sets making a figure 8 shape like such :

8
8

I hope that makes sense.

 

Buy a head gasket for a 92-95 Civic DX.It is MLS instead of composite, it'll work better and last longer...That is all.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StylishDOHC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Buy a head gasket for a 92-95 Civic DX.It is MLS instead of composite, it'll work better and last longer...That is all.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If I buy the MLS gasket would I also need to by new head bolts as well?

Would the gasket that I have now still work though?