dont see too many post about this ... always been a 1.8L dude but now looking on going with b20vtec which head gasket do i use and will i need to customize the gasket at all ??

 

OEM by GE, they use the gsr p30 gasket and bore them open up to 86.mm

 

is there any other way to do it without the GE kit. i know its been done but not sure if its the vtec gasket bored out or is it the b20 gasket and just drill the rivets ..

 

USE A GE HG.
Or dont do your build.. pretty simple.

 

I also used an oem P30 HG that was bored to 84.5

 

GE gasket.

i for years i used a OEM B20 non-vtec gasket only to be plauged with coolant leaking into the crank case. i switched blocks, heads, headstuds and the problem was still there. finally i switched to a GE gasket the problem solved.

a $100 gasket will save you a big headache in the long run.

 

I'm using the OEM Honda B20 head gasket with no modifications on my 84.5mm B20vtec with no issues at all. Going on 7k miles on the build.

 

any other suggestions .. i know theres more ppl out there using OEM gaskets to build b20vtecs

 

hmm i'm very interested as well.
i was going to use a oem b20 gasket with just the GE dowels.
The shop that helped me do my machine work also just recommended using the oem honda b20 gasket?

non-VTEC, so you were getting chocolate milk each time you did an oil change?
damn... what to do waht to do.

nice thread

 

Stop being stupid and buy the GE gaskets. You can't use the OEM B20 gasket because oil and coolant passages don't line up. You have to use a VTEC gasket with bores opened up and use modified dowels.
FFS, stop being stupid and listen to the answers you already have.

 

So you're saying that the B16 head on my B20 block hasn't been getting oil or coolant for 7k miles, since the passages don't line up? Wow... I'm surprised that it's lasted for more than the initial startup. Fact is this... I built this motor myself, and checked that these passages lined up perfectly myself. Even Bambam's "How to build a "reliable" lsvtec/b20vtec" calls for an OEM LS or B20 head gasket. I'm sure if he was wrong about it, it would have been corrected long ago. Check the facts before you post up telling someone to stop being stupid, cause it's you that looks bad in the end when you're wrong.

 

try the OEM B20 gasket first since its easy to get your hands on a much cheaper. if you start seeing dissapearing coolant for no reason then you need to change it out for a VTEC gasket...its going into the oil...trust me.

the holes on the non-vtec gasket dont quite line up as nice as the vtec gasket obviously. there might be some slight diffrent casting or alignment variations will cause coolant/oil loss or leaks..

 

bump ...

 

..Because it works for you, doesn't mean its the "right" correct way.. to do things.
Ya, you can get away with a oem b20 gasket, but if your smart and your motor is bored to 84.5mm your going to have to open your gasket up, you think any regular rookie can do this?
Why create a headache that can be fixed in a matter of mins with 100 bucks..
Spend the money and do it right.

 

Btw, i back my boy patriot

https://honda-tech.com/forums/tech-misc-15/why-golden-eagle-uses-vtec-gasket-our-kits-2235725/

Read, get educated.

 

for the lazy ****s.
Now stop asking a stupid question over and over again and go use a GE gasket.

 

represent, HB FTW, lol

Check my build thread, and you'll see what I did to my gasket.

 

i've been running a stock B20 OEM honda headgasket no problem and so have alot of people with no problem just to make life a little easier on u...you only have to drill out one of the cooper rivet type piece on one of the sides of the gasket...

 

According to that, neither is the ideal head gasket. GE decided to use the vtec one... If I was him, I would try to sell you on the one I chose to sell too.. It's all good, they will both work. My point was actually that patriot was incorrect about the OEM B20 gasket not working. As far as the 84.5mm bore, and needing to have the head gasket bored to fit, Honda's oem head gasket is made to work with both standard and oversize pistons. The bore on the head gasket is not 84mm. Honda wouldn't sell an oversized piston without selling an oversized head gasket if that were the case. I did a lot of research on it when I built my 84.5mm B20vtec, including calling several dealership parts departments about it.

Patriot, nice build btw.

 

Thanks.
To each their own, and doing research is the best thing and thats what should be learned here.
The best thing about the GE gaskets is the ability to get them in a very broad range of bore sizes. Honda's headgaskets are ~.5mm larger than the bore they're used on. This A) as 90teg says, allows the use for oversized pistons(even though OEMs are only +.25mm) and B) keep the fire ring out of the direct combustion so they dont burn up.
Since I have an 84.5mm bore i chose an 85mm headgasket from them.

What are you doing about dowel alignment if you're not using the GE gaskets and dowels?

 

I can't remember where I got my dowels at, but I ordered them separately from the gasket. They were stainless, and fit perfect. 7k miles, and running strong.