My unmolested '91 Accord Wagon, with 358K miles, has finally started leaking at the head gasket. It got parked as soon as I saw the wet #1 and #2 pistons and plugs and low coolant. No milky oil yet. We bought a really nice Honda Element the next weekend.

So now the question is what to do with the wagon. The entire front suspension was rebuilt with all OEM parts except for the aftermarket axles, hubs and rotors about 40-50k miles ago. As well as the cooling, sensors, seals, A/C and steering, all OEM. It's straight and rust free with pealing clear coat but no dents. I've had it on CL for a couple weeks with no interest. Maybe asking too much, but what do I know.

The questions is, if it were yours would you just get rid of it as is, or to make it more sellable by rebuilding the existing head, or repair it with a rebuilt cyl head kit like what Napa offers?

I've done engines, both rebuilds and fresh builds (mostly GM), but not sure what surprises I'd get into with this head. My only Honda rebuild was a CRV motor and the machine shop said the CRV heads usually need very little work from them. I don't know about the older Accord heads.

And don't temp me with H22A answers...lol...I've thought about that hard. But I can't justify spending that much on a car we probably won't keep. And I still can't figure out if CARB would accept a JDM conversion.

Any advice will be helpful in some way.
Thanks in advance.

 

how much are you trying to sell it for

 

I'm aiming high at $1500, citing the fact this car has all the recent work, straight and clean body, etc. Hoping someone at least makes an offer.

 

Why not try and replace the head gasket? It's work, but you don't have time constraints and the parts are cheap. You can check the head for warpage, if its not warped and the valves aren't leaking, put some valve stem seals in and reinstall the head.

 

that's kind of what I was thinking, just do the head gasket in it and then maybe you'll get close to your asking price.

 

That's what I was wondering about these heads, if I could just do the HG with out getting too far into it. Thanks guys. I think one of my fellow mechs here might have a straight edge.

I was just looking at rebuilt heads and a gasket set as a plan B I guess. That would put me about $300-$400 into it though and on a bottom end with 358k miles on it. Hardly a selling point but it would still be a good driver for a long while.

 

If I were you, I would try to fix the car by either putting in another lower-mileage F22, swap in an F23A, or even go for an H22.

Also, I would try to sell it on a Honda wagon forum. It will sell faster there, for more.

I have a 1997 Accord wagon. Wagons are getting rare. There's a cult following for them. I can't imagine not having one as a daily driver for years to come! They have such utility!