Hi - I just finished replacing the head gasket on my 89 Civic. The car won't start, and after testing it looks like I have very little compression. I know that I accidentally over-torqued the head bolts during the installation process. I caught my error before I finished. I then loosened the head gasket bolts in the proper sequence and re-torqued them to the proper settings. Did I do permanent damage to the head and gasket, or is there a way I can fix this without tearing it all back down? Thanks

 

Does it sound like no compression? You might have the distributor turned 180 degrees. It happened to me not too long ago.

 

It does kind of sound like no compression. I am pretty sure I have the distributor on right, but I will check it. Thanks!

 

just pop the dizzy off when the motor is at tdc and just make sure the lines match up before putting it back on. it is likely that it is turned 180.


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never seen it become 180 out on the dist, have seen the crank 180 out though, the torque is very unlikely to cause any damage unless you have it at some crazy over-torque, could just be a little low because it hasent sealed off yet, did you di piston rings to?

have you actually had it compression tested? what were the numbers?

most problems such as this that ive had are simple things left unhooked after the re-install, "always check your connections", (tech teacher reference)

 

I don't know what I did wrong, but I have virtually no compression in any of the cylinders. I have run a compression test twice, and the most I get is 60 out only one of the cylinders. I guess I went wrong somewhere...

 

i would try putting the motor TDC then pull the head make sure its not upside down,and re-torque the head,head studs get tighten in 2 stages 1st is at 22ftlbs and the second is 49ftlbs,see how that works for you..

 

did you by chance adjust valve lash when you did the headgasket? did you break the head down and send it out for machining? just wondering cause ya may have set valve lash to tight and the valves are not closing

 

Valve lash could be off as Brizzle stated. If the head gasket was blown then the head would have needed resurfaced and would not seal properly if that is not done. Tell us why the head gasket needed replaced and we can try to list more possible causes. I also feel that you may still not have the head bolts torqued properly.


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20+ different Hondas of d b k f and h series I've done head gaskets after blowing one and never had to resurface, if the head isn't warped and there's no defect on the surface you don't have to resurface it, just clean them well.
Depending on the type and quality of the gasket, some become unusable once the pressure is released due to a crimping action when you torque the head,

 

Did you turn the engine by hand after timing it, are you sure you set the timing correct,pull the timing cover set the timing then post up some pics let us see what what ur working with.I think your timing might be off,hope you did not bend any valves in the process.

 

i've done countless head jobs and i will not waste a customers money by just slapping head gaskets in a car. heads get checked no matter what, its cheap insurance and insures the best seal, sure you dont have to do it and it will probably run afterwards but why go through all the work and money and leave question marks. there are so many variables with sealing surfaces i dont get why you would not spend the $80 - $120 to have it milled perfect again. Im not knocking you by any means but after years in the automotive industry and countless builds of my own i have learned many lessons on cutting corners, it just dont pay

 

 

Could not have said it better

 

sounds about right

 

You could do a hundred head gaskets, but if it was blown from overheating and you just slapped a new gasket on then then you are just setting yourself up for failure. The head should always be checked after a blown gasket, unless it blows from something other than heat issues.