Removing a stubborn head gasket

[leonardhcross]

I have read through many of the posts regarding the removal and replacement of blown head gaskets. Many offer descriptions of different approaches but none include video of the process. Here is my video showing the initial stages of removing an old head gasket. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfgknDkTj1w

[gltriker]

http://www.ngwclub.com/File%20Share/100 ... 0%2314.pdf

Cylinder Head Boĺt Torque Change Service Bulletin

[leonardhcross]

http://www.ngwclub.com/File%20Share/100 ... 0%2314.pdf

Cylinder Head Boĺt Torque Change Service Bulletin

Thanks Cliff. I am now trying to decide how best to prepare my cylinder head surfaces for the new gaskets. I have searched the forum using the search "head resurfacing" but am coming up empty. I recall seeing something about using a granite slab and sanding sheets. What do you recommend?

[gltriker]

Sidecar Bob has a very good write up.
I will leave it to Bob to give you the link.

[Sidecar Bob]

I was told this method for cleaning mating surfaces by a long time Honda mechanic and later found the same thing in the Honda Common Service Manual:
- Put something in the oil and water passages to keep debris from getting into them. I like to twist some toilet paper or rag into ropes and push them in just deep enough that the tools won't catch them and pull them out but not so deep they are hard to remove.
- Use a razor blade or an Olfa type knife to remove as much of the old gasket as possible
- When you have removed all you can that way take a fresh sharpening stone that has never been used to sharpen anything (must be flat and free of oil or other contaminants), dip it into clean water (a drop or 2 of detergent won't hurt) and rub it against the surface you are preparing in a circular pattern, moving over the entire part as you go to keep it flat. Periodically dip the stone back into the water to clean it and wipe off the surface you are preparing and if there are still bits of gasket or sealant repeat until the surface is smooth & shiny.

This method is good for all mating surfaces that require gaskets for sealing.

BTW: Why is your video in portrait mode? I don't know about you but my eyes are side by side not one above the other so landscape mode is far more natural.

[leonardhcross]

I was told this method for cleaning mating surfaces by a long time Honda mechanic and later found the same thing in the Honda Common Service Manual:
- Put something in the oil and water passages to keep debris from getting into them. I like to twist some toilet paper or rag into ropes and push them in just deep enough that the tools won't catch them and pull them out but not so deep they are hard to remove.
- Use a razor blade or an Olfa type knife to remove as much of the old gasket as possible
- When you have removed all you can that way take a fresh sharpening stone that has never been used to sharpen anything (must be flat and free of oil or other contaminants), dip it into clean water (a drop or 2 of detergent won't hurt) and rub it against the surface you are preparing in a circular pattern, moving over the entire part as you go to keep it flat. Periodically dip the stone back into the water to clean it and wipe off the surface you are preparing and if there are still bits of gasket or sealant repeat until the surface is smooth & shiny.

This method is good for all mating surfaces that require gaskets for sealing.

BTW: Why is your video in portrait mode? I don't know about you but my eyes are side by side not one above the other so landscape mode is far more natural.

Thanks for the tip. I will add the stone to my list along with a long, narrow spray attachment for my air compressor. I have a couple of other questions. The small, press-in fittings at the top of the heads has remained in the heads. I am reluctant to put pliers on them. Any suggestions. Also, each head still has one dowel in place. Again, I am reluctant to put any pliers on them. What do you advise? Re: my camera, thanks for the suggestion. I mostly record video with a good video camera but, occasionally, it is just more convenient to use my i-phone. I don't see any "landscape" option. Or, do you just mean that I should turn my phone sideways?

[Sidecar Bob]

You really need to remove everything that protrudes from the mating surface (including the dowel pins) in order to prepare the surface for use. Nothing in the mating surfaces was pressed in when the engine was assembled but they can become stuck.

It is more common for oil orifices to be lost when they fall out than damaged being pulled. You should be able to pull them out easily with your fingers but if one is really stuck you may need to wrap a rag around pliers and gently pull, being careful not to damage it.

Dowel pins are notorious for getting stuck but they are cheap and readily available through any Honda dealer. They come in several "standard" sizes that are used in various parts of many engines and they don't go bad in storage if you have some left over so before I take an engine apart I order enough dowel pins to replace them all if I need to (minus the number I have on hand left over from the last job).
Most of them should pull out easily (or even fall out). Sometimes the stuck ones can be pulled gently with pliers but if they don't move easily try another method before you mangle the pin.
One method that works for some people is to find (or make) something that is a close fit inside the pin, fill the pin most of the way with grease and hammer the close fitting tool into the pin so that the grease pushes on the edge of the pin to drive it out hydraulically.
If that doesn't work (or you can't find something to fit closely enough) you can find a drill bit that fits inside and use that to prevent the pin from collapsing while you grip it with Vise Grips or similar and turn it back & forth to break the pin loose (this is where those replacement pins come in).

You are correct about landscape. To record in landscape mode simply rotate the phone 90 degrees so its long axis is horizontal. I believe most phones now have sensors that tell the phone which way is up so the software knows to switch to landscape.

[leonardhcross]

Thanks for the advice. I will post a video of the Gasket cleaning with a grindstone and water. (with my phone in the horizontal plane).

[Sidecar Bob]

Use a flat handheld sharpening stone. "Grindstone" usually refers to a large rotating stone, like a bench grinder but bigger. You wouldn't want one of those anywhere near your engine.

[leonardhcross]

Good catch. I meant to say "sharpening stone". I picked one up this AM at HF. It does not specify the grit rating; just says "medium and fine". I'll post the results. Regarding bits getting inside the water channels, it seems that it would be fairly simple to flush with a fine jet of water. Yes or no?

[Sidecar Bob]

On the head you can probably wash it all out.
I always have toilet paper in the shop (many uses including small, clean wipers for glue &c) so take a length of that and twist it into a rope that I can stuff into the coolant and oil passages in the block I to keep debris out. You especially don't want little particles getting where they can block passages.