It has been a while
I have already used the search and there are lots of mixed reviews
I am building a NA b20vtec 10-11cr nothing fancy

It do not come down to price but what works properly

Head gasket options
OEM b20b HG
cometic b20vtec
GE b20vtec

thanks

 

I would use the OEM B20B head gasket.

 

Golden Eagle HGs have the dowel holes opened up for all head and block combos AFAIK.

 

thanks for the assistance

 

I have made it a habit over the years to open up the holes on the opposite side of the cylinder head so that OE dowels will fit in either a straight VTEC or LS/VTEC application and still use the stock head gasket. This causes no problems with the cylinder head for future use on a VTEC block and eliminates the problems with stepped dowels and inconsistent aftermarket head gasket stampings.

 

^ saw some did that in the past

I see no one mentioned Cometic .. Issues ?

 

Cometic is a fine product as well... just don't get caught up in the hype of the hybrid gaskets. If you buy a NON-VTEC Cometic head gasket for your bore size, it will work just fine.

 

adding to OP

using nonvtec gasket = remove O rings IS A MUST (idk if easy or not but something you MUST do)
using GE vtec gasket = PLUG AND PLAY

*cometic hg* i read its a hit or miss on working and not working
cometic is $80 hg shipped
honda oem is $100
GE is $140-175 shipped

Im doing a b20vtec myself
im personally doing ge kit just cause plug and play and because DDTECH@honda-tech and i believe allmotor @honda-tech suggests it too!

found that on one of the ht forums

 

thanks
will be going with the GE

thanks for the feed back

 

I do exactly this. I bought a 14mm bit, and when i build one of these, i take the head and bit to a machine shop and have them do it for me. i dont have a drill press at home, plus i typically have the heads looked at before I use em too.

In short:

Move dowel pin holes on VTEC head to match the block.
OEM B20 headgasket
OEM Dowel Pins

 

I just bought a GE headgasket. Perhaps it's older stock but it was simply an OEM headgasket (still in the OEM packaging) just had the dowel holes machined larger FYI.

 

I think they use the OEM gasket, that's what came in my kit.

 

The bad cylinder(s) will be pretty apparent (clean).
Get a precision straightedge and check the cylinder sleeves at the top of the block. They tend to get corrosion and leak. It will look like a coffee cup ring stain. If you lay the straightedge over the corrosion with a light behind and see any daylight you're best off to have the block resurfaced. This means stripping the block down to, that's right, the block. Every single nut and bolt. Pretty much the same as a rebuild. If the engine is running good other than the head gasket it's worth it. You'll need a few torque wrenches and a ring compressor.
The head can be resurfaced with everything still installed.