Honda Car Forum

I am currently replacing the cylinder gasket on a 1992 Civic engine
D15B7. The last time that a valve job was performed a special head
gasket and head bolts were used in accordance with TSB 97-047. A valve
job is being performed because of a burnt exhaust valve. The head bolts
appeared to be relatively clean with the exception of number one head
bolt which was extremely rusty at the part where it enters the block.

question 1. Is it normal for the number one head bolt to be rusty?
2. Can I clean up the 9 head bolt and only replace the rusty
one with a new one?
3. In replaceing the number one head bolt, do I do anything
different than just lubricating it with oil?
4. What is the difference between the special head bolts
mentioned in the tsb and the standard ones?

Gerry wrote:
> I am currently replacing the cylinder gasket on a 1992 Civic engine
> D15B7. The last time that a valve job was performed a special head
> gasket and head bolts were used in accordance with TSB 97-047. A valve
> job is being performed because of a burnt exhaust valve. The head bolts
> appeared to be relatively clean with the exception of number one head
> bolt which was extremely rusty at the part where it enters the block.
>
> question 1. Is it normal for the number one head bolt to be rusty?
> 2. Can I clean up the 9 head bolt and only replace the rusty
> one with a new one?
> 3. In replaceing the number one head bolt, do I do anything
> different than just lubricating it with oil?
> 4. What is the difference between the special head bolts
> mentioned in the tsb and the standard ones?
>


no idea, but im surprised honda head bolts can be reused. i thought most
head bots are designed to stretch and arent reuseable.

SoCalMike wrote:
> > question 1. Is it normal for the number one head bolt to be rusty?
> > 2. Can I clean up the 9 head bolt and only replace the rusty
> > one with a new one?
> > 3. In replaceing the number one head bolt, do I do anything
> > different than just lubricating it with oil?
> > 4. What is the difference between the special head bolts
> > mentioned in the tsb and the standard ones?
> >
>
> no idea, but im surprised honda head bolts can be reused. i thought most
> head bots are designed to stretch and arent reuseable.

Back when I was young and dumb (at least I am no longer young) I tried
re-using a set of head bolts. One snapped right off a few newton meters
before I reached specified torque. I wised up and bought a complete new
set, not just a replacement for the one that broke.
--
================================================== =====
A very modest collection of Honda tech info can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph

> question 1. Is it normal for the number one head bolt to be rusty?

Its normal for any of the bolts to be rusty. Start with wire wheeling
them. THEN run a die over the bolts and a tap into the threads in the
block. These clean up steps will let you accurately torque the bolts.

> 2. Can I clean up the 9 head bolt and only replace the rusty
> one with a new one?

Despite the naysayers, I have used head bolts over with no problems.
Since you may have had these bolts already used twice, you may consider
a new set.

> 3. In replaceing the number one head bolt, do I do anything
> different than just lubricating it with oil?

DONT use oil. Use ARP assembly lube or my fave- nev-r-seize

> 4. What is the difference between the special head bolts
> mentioned in the tsb and the standard ones?

SoCalMike wrote:
> Gerry wrote:
>
>> I am currently replacing the cylinder gasket on a 1992 Civic engine
>> D15B7. The last time that a valve job was performed a special head
>> gasket and head bolts were used in accordance with TSB 97-047. A valve
>> job is being performed because of a burnt exhaust valve. The head bolts
>> appeared to be relatively clean with the exception of number one head
>> bolt which was extremely rusty at the part where it enters the block.
>>
>> question 1. Is it normal for the number one head bolt to be rusty?
>> 2. Can I clean up the 9 head bolt and only replace the rusty
>> one with a new one?
>> 3. In replaceing the number one head bolt, do I do anything
>> different than just lubricating it with oil?
>> 4. What is the difference between the special head bolts
>> mentioned in the tsb and the standard ones?
>>
>
>
> no idea, but im surprised honda head bolts can be reused. i thought most
> head bots are designed to stretch and arent reuseable.

think honda are ok - it's the torque-to-yield stuff like euro-ford &
g.m. that requires new bolts each time. the torque to yield thing is
good in that it gives even holding force for the head, /but/ it also
means the head bolts stretch on thermal expansion. over a few thousand
cycles, this means either the head gasket blows or the bolts fatigue.
"design life".