I've changed head gaskets out plenty of times, I had a head laying around my garage from an old project and it looked to be warped. I got it milled.

I purchased a block from a local junkyard that was from a good running civic that they already sold the head.

I bought new head gasket and dowel pins that go on block.

I set everything in place and on the first bolt going to 22lbs. I was getting creeking. I reinspected everything and tried again and still getting the noise. I cleaned and lubricated the bolts.

Could it be the bolts are stretched? Or was the head improperly milled?

block is d16y8 and the head is from a 99 EX (same block)


Thanks for your help this is very frustrating

 

Creeking is pretty normal when torquing head studs

 

next time lube the washers

 

Yeah as long as there isn't much resistance when you put them in hand tight that creaking is normal.

 

X2

Creeking is normal. I usually dip my head bolts in oil before installing to lube them up, just make sure you let most of the oil drip off before you actually install.