Well, new engine is done and everything was done correctly. EVEN SO, the head is just barely seeping coolant at the front passenger corner. Engine is 81.25 mm ITR with B16 head done to ITR spec. Head was surfaced when it was rebuilt and the block was decked so the surfaces are perfect. Head gasket I used was a P30 and it's OEM Honda. I used ARP head studs and used the included Moly Lube. Instead of the 3 steps, I did 5 steps to make sure that it was torqued as evenly as possible. A Snap On Tech Wrench was used to make sure the torque is PERFECT. It just barely passes coolant at the front corner; any ideas???

 

did you make sure the gasket was installed corectly? IE-not backwards? Are you certain it's leaking from the head and not from the thermostat housing?

 

Yes, it's installed correctly. It's leaking at the head gasket by the tab that has the numbers stamped in it. Block and head surfaces looked PERFECT. I wonder if I need to just pull the dang cams and retorque the studs just to be safe. Don't really want to but I think I probably should....

 

If you torqued the head the way you said, I doubt retorquing them will do anything. Sounds like you may have to pull the head and see what's going on then.

 

Did you shave down the dowl pins?

 

No, I didn't. I'm thinking now that could be what it is. I just put them in as is and didn't even think of the small amount doing this. Went over to my shop earlier and did a little more damage anyway. I went to pull the cams but my brand new back upper cover had full perimeter rings so I had to cut them. Then, I could not get the dang cams out with the front cover on so I just yanked them. I think I stressed the timing belt a little bit so I now have to replace the timing belt, upper outside cover, probably upper inside cover, and the headgasket along with shaving the dowels.

I'm usually pretty calm but after this not going together the way it should have, I was just pissed.

Anyway, I figure I'll cool off for a few days and get some parts ordered in.

 

Hey hoping you can help me out. I fear I'm having the same issue with my Headgasket leaking at the front passenger corner of the motor. I bought the car about 3 weeks ago, previous owner told me that he had recently had to replace the Headgasket because it overheated when the water pump went bad. But I've been driving my car about 30 minutes to and from work each for the past 2 weeks and this evening was the first time it happened. I parked the car went inside and when I came outside about 15 minutes later there was coolant on the ground and some on the front of the block in the same place you described. My question is how long after you got your motor built/installed did the leak begin? And did you ever fix it? My temp gauge was at normal temp the whole way home and all my hoses are good. Also no mixing of oil and coolant is happening. Thanks in advance I didn't want to comment on your 8 year old thread but your mailbox is full.