Cylinder head erosion dillema!

Tiny
INTEGRAGUY29
  • MEMBER
  • HONDA CIVIC
This is actually on a 94 Acura Integra LS but the things basically a civic, well the motor says honda on it!

So im doing a head gasket job on this thing as its its been overheating while cruising for awhile, shop diagnosed hydrocarbons in coolant.

Anyway pulled the head and started cleaning the cemented gasket coating of the block/head surfaces and I find two tiny little nicks in the surface of the head where #1 was leaking into the water jacket.

The nicks are really small and obviously a result of erosion due to hot gasses escaping through there, however this is the head surface we're talking about.

I have a few options here and im looking for a little advice, heres some things to keep in mind:

-Head isnt warped so we werent planning on any machine work, even though:

-I found leaking valve seals in two cylinders, we didnt care because were just trying to get the thing driveable for a year or so before he dumps it

1) Say expletive it, clean it up good, bolt it up with a new gasket and hope it holds.

2) Take the head to a shop get it resurfaced, have them throw in new seals while they're at it.

3) Now dont laugh, choice three is fill in the nicks with JB weld epoxy and bolt it up. Sounds crazy but i've heard of it being done and apparently it used to be a shop technique for jaguars.

Obviously number 2 is best but we're trying to save money and just get it to stop overheating.

SO, TO SUM IT UP, what im asking is could we get away with 1 or 3 or do we need to have the head work done to make this head gasket seal.
Saturday, December 16th, 2006 AT 9:02 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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I hope I never run across one of the cars you talk about dumping. The JB weld is not an acceptable approach. Next, the work you are talking about is about $70 and I wouldn't know how you determined that the head wasn't warped or cracked. Do it right!
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Sunday, December 17th, 2006 AT 12:06 AM
Tiny
CARUNDELL
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Hey integra,
Sound advice from Bruce! Do it right and avoid the hassle down the road! Keep Micky in the theme park!

Chris
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Sunday, December 17th, 2006 AT 3:45 AM
Tiny
INTEGRAGUY29
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Yeah your right, momentary lapse of reason. Interestingly enough jaguar and saab both used to reccomend epoxy to repair heads, however it was for coolant passages with deep erosion due to electrolysis, not for the fire ring!

Anyway, i've decided to do the obvious thing and have it machined, the burn through is only about.0015" deep so it shouldnt be an issue.

I was also wondering how you guys recommend removing baked on MLS gasket coating? Ive never had this much trouble before. I got most of it of the sleeves with a razor blade but it seems like some still remains.

Is a brass brush safe?

Also, how about copper spray on an MLS gasket? I dont plan on using it on the fresh head side but how about the un-surfaced block?

P.S. I determined the head isnt warped using the OEM manual procedure, a straight edge and feeler gauges, no warpage at all. Cracked B series heads are very very rare. Aluminum on aluminum motor

p.S.S. Also want to point out that by dump I dont mean on an unsuspecting owner! Would probably sell it to someone looking for a track day shell
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Sunday, December 17th, 2006 AT 4:31 PM

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