Blown Headgasket ... head work?

[ScotcH]

Hey all,

So the car was overheating, and I'm losing coolant. You guessed it ... Blown HG. I'm debating if I should get some head work done while they are off the car? I spoke to the mech, and he said that I risk burning oil if I do a valve job, since the top end will seal so much better ... any opionion on this? The car has 145k on it.

Also, if I just polish the ports to smooth out the flow, will this even be worth the effort, or do I need to enlrarge and port match to see any gains?

Kinds sucks ... I wonder if racing had anything to do with it :rolleyes:

[super seven]

These cars are common for head gaskets , I really don't think it was the racing. if that is orig. kms you do not have to re ring it . I would soak the top of pistons with Cleens from GM overnight. This will free up the rings and will seal again. Any kind of head work is a waste of time and$ . Trust me Honda Knows how to build a head!
Robert

[maxrpm]

At minimum make sure the head is true and look for a better head gasket.

A PP and valve job if done properly WILL make gains and make sure to port match to the exhaust and the intake. You can even go as far as shaving a few thenths off to increase the compression.

[super seven]

I dont think anybody else makes a better gasket for this car ! Its not a small block Chevy you know? Anyhow the factory gasket lasted 150k ?
I dont think a port and polish and a performance valve job would give so much more for the extra cash. I dont think this is a heavily modified engine eg big cam , big compession , . These heads are so nicely done at the factory , there is not too much room for improvement. Get the factory gasket kit, it comes with everything
but is not cheap.
I have done about 20 of these jobs on these cars for more info

[maxrpm]

ok...

[Dave]

I have to agree with Rob, I don't think porting the head is a good investment unless you're building a race engine with big cams, high compression, etc. Professional porting work is expensive and the gains are small unless the engine really needs to extra flow (ie. due to bigger cams). Your money would be much better spent on suspension, r-compounds, brakes, some basic bolt-ons like intake, header, exhaust if you want a bit more power, and of course lots and lots of track time! :)

If it was a common/cheap engine like the D-series engine I run in my little ratbox of a Civic I'd suggest doing a port job yourself like Adam, Moose and I have done (under Adam's guidance), since we realized a 7-8% improvement in air flow (we had the heads flowbenched to determine this), but with your engine I wouldn't suggest monkeying around with it yourself since finding a replacement head could be a hassle you don't want/need. Polishing, BTW, is generally not a good idea with Honda heads. Professional porters have found that leaving some texture on the port walls actually improves flow characteristics. A 3 angle valve job is actually one of the biggest flow improvers on Honda heads, but again I don't think it's a good investment unless you have long-term plans to really build the engine's horsepower figures up considerably beyond stock.

I would say just swap a fresh Acura headgasket in there and return to your regularly scheduled program of suspension upgrades and seat time.

[ADAM]

if you have time....and want the head ported...i would be willing to do it...

its a 6cyl right? is it aluminum or iron head...i would think aluminum... :)

you would have to remove all the valve train and valves..and give it to me...it would take approx 1wk to do.....

PM me if you are interested...

like dave said..we got 7-8% more flow on his little honda rat head..and that was a very basic port job....

adam

[ScotcH]

Thanks for the input guys. Basically, I've come to the same conclusion. With P&P and valve job, I'd probably gain a bit more top end, but lose in the low RPMs, all at the cost of about $2000. Not good, as it already takes forever to get up to speed :)

There is a copper gasket available, but people have had bad results when trying to seal it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it leaks. So, honda gasket for me, and hopefully another 150k.

BTW ... Ground Controls have been ordered 10k/10k. I'll use these for the rest of the season, then get my konis revalved for higher rates for next year. Yeeee haw! See you in July!

[ADAM]

i only charge $100 per cyl...for a performance port job...

[ADAM]

always remember....


"the power is in the head"

[ScotcH]

Originally posted by ADAM
i only charge $100 per cyl...for a performance port job...

Well, that certainly is a better deal. I think I'll consider this, but for next year. There are a few used heads out there, and fairly cheap so maybe over the winter we can do some work. Thanks for the info Adam.

[ADAM]

yeah thats what most of the 240sx guys do..they buy a spare head and leave it with me..then i can take my time and work on it....

i find porting relaxing...

porting does increase airflow..when combined with cams and a valve job...it can make very good power increases...

adam