I Finally Got the Head Off. Input Needed.
 

Well, I got the head off and to my surprise the gasket wasn't blown. There dosen't seem to be any cracks in the head or block, but I have to do a more through check. There was water in some of the cylinders.

My original problem was my car wouldn't start. It showed symptoms of a blown head gasket though. Coolant loss, exhaust in coolant, frothy oil cap (although I haven't drained the oil yet), blow-by by cylinder 4,5,6. The blow-by may have been caused by a faulty exhaust manifold gasket or improper torque though.

Any opinions other than me being retarded for not checking the basics? The way I see it though, it was a good opportunity to learn, upgrade stuff, and break stuff as well. Ahhhhh, now to put it all back together, sigh. http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emdgust.gif

are any of the cylinders shiney and cleaner looking compared to the others? look around the metal rings of the head gasket really really well?

There will probably be a portion on the #6 cylinder where the head gasket ring ovals in one spot. It will be hard to spot. I've heard it's a common problem and it happened to me and I just put my head and everything back together today. Just make sure you torque the head bolts down to 75, ARP make the best.

Like I said, it didn't seem to have any cracks on any of the surfaces or head gasket, although it was dark and I didn't check it throughly. Actually a couple of the cylinders did look cleaner than the others. What is this a symptom of? I was thinking the head may have been off before but that's just a guess. The intake runners and plenum was nasty though.

I didn't get head studs, I got head bolts by ARP and an HKS head gasket. I think I'll be good when I put it back together.

Another symptom I didn't mention was that when the car did run, I smelled antifreeze in the exhaust.

if the top of the pistons are cleaner, to me, that means that there was a coolant leak when it was running and it cleaned the carbon off the pistons.. thats where i would tripple check the gasket for a crack or deformation of the metal ring on the HG,

What will you do/have done to the head while it's off? I'll be going through this same thing very soon. Any tips to mention?

I was gonna mildly port the exhaust, and match the manifold, but I dunno know anymore. I have a rebuilt head already so it's just a matter of replacing what I broke while putting it back together, along with some goodies that I purchased too.


HKS Head Gasket
ARP Head Bolts
Ceramic Coated Exhaust Elbow
Ceramic Coated 3" Stainless Steel Turbo Elbow
HKS Downpipe
NGK Spark Plug Wires
NGK Iridiums

I'm probably going to get the exhaust finished off afterwards (3"), I also want to get the Cooleeze Radiator Pipe, and A'pex Filter Kit :)

Sounds like a good plan! What did it cost to have the head rebuilt? Which turbo elbow did you get?

I have the Apexi filter kit on my MR2 and I like it.

I bought the head off of eBay for $187 with shipping. It's been milled with a pretty good finish and the valve seals have been replaced, I'm guess the vlaves have been appropriately lapped too.

What's the best way to clean the block surface without scoring it?

I had two problems with my engine regarding coolant loss. First was the head itself. The recessed areas around the combustion chambers were pretty eaten away, not much room for the gasket to seal. I got another head from a local junkyard and it was pretty much the same do I got one on ebay. It was in great shape.

I put the new head back on and it still leaked! I was pissed and very perplexed. I finally pulled the head off again and found that the number one cylinder had a crack in it. That cylinder always looked too clean but I never figured on a crack. I really looked close and saw small pitting in the cylinder wall itself. I got another block and that fixed all my problem.

There are freeze plugs that can leak and other areas that may not mate well together that can cause leaks. It really pays to look at everything not just the head, although most leaks are going to be the gasket. I just thought I would give you something else to worry about......lol.

Keep us informed.

Russ

may not be able to see head problems
 

a lot of times with a cracked head your not always going to be able to just look at it and say hey there is the crack, thats why you should have it taken to a machine shop and have them test for you, last time i did that it was like $35 bucks.