Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 07:48 AM
  #1  
KangBanger's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: area, Washington, US
Default I messed up installing a new head gasket.

I was rebuilding my motor yesterday (B18C1). I got new head gasket and I bolted the head down with the new head gasket. I was suppose to torque it down with 22 pounds with pattern and go over with 60 pounds with pattern. However, I missed the part about 22 pounds, so i torqued it down with 60 on the first go. I was wondering what should i do.

Thanks!
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 07:55 AM
  #2  
90Rexx's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
From: New England
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

buy new headbolts... and start over.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 07:57 AM
  #3  
KangBanger's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: area, Washington, US
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

why new head bolts?
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 07:59 AM
  #4  
CerealKiller's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cali, Estados Unidos
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

are you using aftermarket studs and / or gasket?
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:11 AM
  #5  
JDM_SOHC's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,465
Likes: 1
From: 1,2,3,4 United States Marine Corps!
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

almost havin same problem as me... my compression tester is in my girls car so i wont be able to compression test til she gets home but thats what i'd recommend u do first.. i torqued mine down but im unsure if they're torqued right cuz my lower end brand of torque wrench... so i wanna retorque but i heard u shouldnt loosen'm once they're torqued..
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:18 AM
  #6  
vtechjunkie's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,648
Likes: 0
From: pocatello, idaho, u.s.a.
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

The main reason for using the step pattern during torque-ing is to not warp anything. At that pressure you will warp the head if you torque it down all at once. On the other hand you may stretch the bolts out and when you get them all torqued down, some will end up loose.If you didn't have ARP's, then just buy some and re-install the head. I don't think you'll need a new gasket though. GL
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:24 AM
  #7  
Unseen Racer's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 3
From: Fontana, Ca, United States
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

buy new headbolts beacause you are only supposed to torque them down once. and you do not want to remove them, reuse them and snap one of them.

and i believe its
22lbs
44lbs then
66lbs
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:34 AM
  #8  
KangBanger's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: area, Washington, US
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

I have stock head studs and gasket.

ahhhhhhh
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:42 AM
  #9  
Unseen Racer's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 3
From: Fontana, Ca, United States
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by KangBanger
I have stock head studs and gasket.

ahhhhhhh
i say you should buy ARP head studs.
form my understanding, they are re-usable.
plus its a nice little upgrade
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:43 AM
  #10  
CerealKiller's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cali, Estados Unidos
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by KangBanger
I have stock head studs and gasket.

ahhhhhhh
then, yes, new bolts. gasket should be fine.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:48 AM
  #11  
crvtypeR's Avatar
New User
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

how do you know howmany lbs youre wrenching down ....? is there a tool that tells you this...?
excuse ignorance...jej
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:56 AM
  #12  
B18CivicEJ8's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by crvtypeR
how do you know howmany lbs youre wrenching down ....? is there a tool that tells you this...?
excuse ignorance...jej
Yes, it's called a torque wrench.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 08:56 AM
  #13  
JKov240's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 1
From: TX, USA
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by crvtypeR
how do you know howmany lbs youre wrenching down ....? is there a tool that tells you this...?
excuse ignorance...jej
There's adjustable torque wrenches...you select what torque you want and it gives you a clicking sound and won't go anymore once you reach that certain torque.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 09:15 AM
  #14  
9deuce9rr's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham/Port Orchard, WA, United States
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

yea man, stock head bolts are cheap. just grab a new set and use them. much better scenario than potentially snapping a reused one and having to pull it
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 12:50 PM
  #15  
1FDUPCIVIC's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: White Oak, TX
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

I can't count how many head gaskets I have replaced, but I can tell you how many times I have bought new head bolts-once, because I lost one of the bolts. You have only torqued them to 60ft.lbs., I would say it would be completely safe to back them all off and start over. Believe me, if this didn't work I would have a lot of head jobs coming back to me.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 01:12 PM
  #16  
90Rexx's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
From: New England
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

so much bad advice going here....



replace them!! why take the chance of doing this whole job over again or potentially getting stuck somewhere for 100 bucks???? you made the mistake, now pay for it. OEM's should only be torqued once, ARP's you can usually get 2 torques out of before they stretch too much... headbolts are "stretch bolts" which means they are supposed to stretch in order to provide best clamping force. once they stretch too much though, they do not clamp tightly enough.


sure poeple may reuse OEM headbolts and thats fine for them... but when they are crying making threads in 10K miles about their headgaskets leaking then shame on them for cheaping out on something so insignificant.... just replace them!
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 01:13 PM
  #17  
90Rexx's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
From: New England
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by 1FDUPCIVIC
I can't count how many head gaskets I have replaced, but I can tell you how many times I have bought new head bolts-once, because I lost one of the bolts. You have only torqued them to 60ft.lbs., I would say it would be completely safe to back them all off and start over. Believe me, if this didn't work I would have a lot of head jobs coming back to me.


heres a perfect example lol...


why sir have you replaced so many headgaskets lol??/


der dee derr!!!
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 01:16 PM
  #18  
1FDUPCIVIC's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: White Oak, TX
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Because I am a mechanic, and its what i do for a living. You don't have to be smart about it. I am just trying to help this guy out.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 01:51 PM
  #19  
Unseen Racer's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 3
From: Fontana, Ca, United States
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by 90Rexx
so much bad advice going here....
i said replace them and get ARP head studs.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 02:11 PM
  #20  
90Rexx's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
From: New England
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by 1FDUPCIVIC
Because I am a mechanic, and its what i do for a living. You don't have to be smart about it. I am just trying to help this guy out.
who cares if your a mechanic, your giving bad advice. maybe it works for you because your lucky or something but thats not the way it should be done... obviously the OP isnt as mechanically inclined as most of us so he should be getting the advice which would provide him with the least problems in the future.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 02:14 PM
  #21  
hondamark35's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,235
Likes: 127
From: Mustard Belt
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by 90Rexx
ARP's you can usually get 2 torques out of before they stretch too much... headbolts are "stretch bolts" which means they are supposed to stretch in order to provide best clamping force.
a bolt isn't doing it's job if it's not stretching. fastener basics.

head bolts are to be stretched evenly and accurately, that's why there's so much fuss and trouble.

Originally Posted by 90Rexx
so much bad advice going here....

replace them!! why take the chance of doing this whole job over again or potentially getting stuck somewhere for 100 bucks???? you made the mistake, now pay for it. OEM's should only be torqued once

sure poeple may reuse OEM headbolts and thats fine for them... but when they are crying making threads in 10K miles about their headgaskets leaking then shame on them for cheaping out on something so insignificant.... just replace them!
the Honda Factory Service Manual says to replace a lot of things... exhaust spring bolts, many motor mount bolts, every washer on the car.., some of the transmission bolts, the "bitch" pin... but all it says about head bolts is to oil them and if they make noise while torquing, loosen and retorque.

so where does the "can't reuse them!" come from?
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 02:35 PM
  #22  
sde780's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 1
From: Norcal
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

^exactly. I re-used my 130k mile head bolts with no issues so far. Just soak them in oil and make sure they're clean before you put them in.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 02:40 PM
  #23  
JDM_SOHC's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,465
Likes: 1
From: 1,2,3,4 United States Marine Corps!
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

^^ x2 i've heard from numerous people that you can reuse them and than you hear other people saying, "quit being so reluctant on spending the $100's to fix it and do it right." Assuming that we all have $100's laying around to spend on items, that don't necessarily need to be replaced.

I guess today is arrogant a$$hole day, I had some douchebag venting his bad day in my help thread as well...

This is a help forum, not a come vent and express your bad day forum. If you have nothing positive to say, or can't say it without having an attitude in expression with your post, it's simple, don't post.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 02:49 PM
  #24  
sde780's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 1
From: Norcal
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

If you're going to pay over $100 just get ARP's. And while you have the head off might as well drop the oil pan too and get some $100 vitaras and rods. And since you have the engine apart might as well get new bearings and crank and cam and bored 20000billion mm over and spray a (6^(n))(x^2 = 7x -9) shot of nitrous.

If you're on a budget re-use the bolts, if you want the extra peace of mind spend the $100 on new ones.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2009 | 02:50 PM
  #25  
JDM_SOHC's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,465
Likes: 1
From: 1,2,3,4 United States Marine Corps!
Default Re: I messed up installing a new head gasket.

Originally Posted by sde780
If you're on a budget re-use the bolts, if you want the extra peace of mind spend the $100 on new ones.
^ bottom line...
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:46 AM.