(* snip *)
I know Robert just did this job on his car and had some machine work done to
flatten the head. I was thinking about decking the head slightly and then
combining that with the thinner gasket to get slightly more compression. I
know not to over-do it, I'd stay within the factory recommended min. for
decking the head. I just figure that if I don't deck the head right down to
the minimum, then there will still be some steel left for the future in case
it ever needs to be machined again. Sound logical? About how much should I
pay for the machine work? I seem to recall that Robert was paying in the
$200 range, right?
$200 (USD) is about average to have a machine shoppe machine the cylinder head flat. I actually paid a bit more because I had the machine shoppe do a rebuild where [they] replaced the valves, springs, etc...
Hopefully your cylinder head is not cracked. That was one concern I had for mine because of the cost; a new or rebuilt cylinder head was priced at $600 and up!
In some cases, cracks can be repaired. It just depends on where and how severe it is.
If I had to replace my cylinder head, I would have gone ahead and gone with a B18 swap. Out of curiosity, anyone know why the cylinder head is so expensive?
I'll get a good look at the engine once I've got the head off and see what
all needs to be freshened up. This is probably the first time it's been
cracked open. Is there anything that really, really, really should be done
while I've got it apart, like replacing the valve seals, etc.?
If you can swing the extra cash, get the valves, springs, etc, replaced. Sort of an overhaul. Now would be the time to do it.
I'm still
broke from Christmas, so I'm hoping to just clean out the carbon deposits,
deck the head, and reinstall everything with new gaskets - which is what I
see as the cheap route.
FWIW, I had the shoppe order the head gasket from the dealership. I paid a bit more for the gasket but since my engine is "stock", I don't see any real need and reason to use anything else.
The timing belt and water pump were just replaced
last year, so I wasn't planning on replacing them again.
Timing belt and waterpump is about $30-40 each. I would at least do the belt.
I know, I know, lots of questions. But hey, I love this car and just want
to make sure I do things right!
Kirk Bristol
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Consider replacing any of the coolant hoses that are on the back side of the engine (where it's a PITA to get at) as well as changing out the thermostat. You may also want to do all the coolant hoses (which is what I did). On a previous car where I had to do the head gasket, I took the radiator down to a local radiator shoppe to have them check it out. They replaced the internal rods for just under $100. I didn't do this with my CRX because replaced the stock radiator last summer.
What I would do is make a list with approximate costs. Then determine which are the "Must do" and which are "Would like to". Then compare it to what you can afford. This generally how I approach major repairs with my vehicles.
Best of luck!
CRX Owners Group President (http://www.crx.org/southcal)
1990 Honda CRXsi (http://www.hooligan.cc)
ICQ # 3714283 (nickname: godzilla)
Julian Drive (San Diego County) - February 8, 2003
http://www.crx.org/southcal/events.html
