Replace Head Gasket or Engine?

[jaked]

Just bought an '88 Accord DX. Test drove fine, but on the 20 mile drive home noticed smoke. Compression is 185-100-100-170 and coolant is in the oil. Most likely a blown head gasket. Car only has 130,000 miles.

A mechanic told me that if these engines haven't been properly maintained, then the lower end could likely be compromised. His experience is that tightening up the top end will only transfer problems to the lower end, or that I'll keep losing head gaskets. The car didn't overheat on me, so I'm not sure why the gasket blew in the first place.

Anyone with similar experience? Should I try to get by with a head gasket, or is the best solution a new engine?

[azazel_18_2]

Min compression for these engines are 100psi BUT are only supposed to have a 25% variation between cylinders. Coolant in the oil, either a head gasket has blown OR you have a cracked head. Mine had a cracked head so I replaced the head and just threw a new head gasket on. I wouldn't do that because not 15k after that I was tearing down my engine and doing a complete rebuild. The coolant tore my rings up bad. I didn't have to bore it but I did have to hone it. Honestly, I wouldn't go get another engine because you never know what you are getting. You may end up with the same thing shortly after you get it.

[HondaBoy]

thats pretty true for most engines. trying to fix one thing and not another will cause more things to go wrong, like keep blowing head gaskets. i'd get the head and block decks shaved and clean up the head some. maybe some new valve guides and other small inexpensive pieces. i'm surprised my engine hasnt had problems, i've overheated it so bad that the engine seized up but has been fine. and i knock on wood just for good luck. lol. but yeah i think your problem is totally fixable and not a crazy idea.

[MessyHonda]

my headgasket went...but it was leaking oil and coolent out. my coolent never got into my oil. its a big job if you do it your self. I had to get my 2 uncles to help me. when i took off my old headgasket it had a hole on the 3rd cylinder ring thing....i changed it and it worked fine....oh yeah my engine was one of thoes japanese engine that get imported in....it only lasted 10k before the head gasket blew.

[AccordEpicenter]

it depends, i be the head is warped. Id try another head and head gasket unless the deck is warped, then id get another engine

[2oodoor]

my headgasket went...but it was leaking oil and coolent out. my coolent never got into my oil. its a big job if you do it your self. I had to get my 2 uncles to help me. when i took off my old headgasket it had a hole on the 3rd cylinder ring thing....i changed it and it worked fine....oh yeah my engine was one of thoes japanese engine that get imported in....it only lasted 10k before the head gasket blew.

oooo/qwkk well poke the cornbread sosee if itern done...
I always heard those super non detuned jdm engines were good deals, they only swap them over there cause o emmisions regs , swap the engine regardless at certain milage no matter how well teh engine runs and performs... that one musta had a hard life.
come one guys, it was here that reading threads encouraged me to keep up my own metal catastrophe,just have the head checked out and repaired, check teh block for trueness. In the final decision you make, is think real hard w hat happened to the car, how hard was it riden while broken, or guess at how long it ran without oil or water before it reared its ugly head (gasket) If y ou \wERE dealing with a hyundai, escort, jetta, then yea, do all that shit and worry your ass off, but with a 2.0 Honda, 1.6 toyota, only certain twin cam engine. just keep it simple and look for the problem that caused the gasket to blow.,leaks, mixutures, oil leaks, overrevinga and missing gears can cause things to go to, anyone argue?

[ghettogeddy]

for get it pull and put a FI motor in lol might as well get the extra ponys while your doing it

[MessyHonda]

to sum it up....if you have 1 or 2 days you can change your own headgasket. if you dont have time take it to a shop but you will get raped. i think its like a 1000 buck job with that money you can pick up a car with fuel injection.

[A18A]

i would say swap the engine seeing it might cause more problems, but if ya dont, swap the head and gasket

[88Accord-DX]

Depends on if you can replace the head gasket yourself.
The lower end will suffer if the head is rebuilt. If you just put a head gasket on, the bottom end should be ok. Look at both the head & block for warpage. Put aside plenty of time & pateince if you do it yourself. When you have the head off, put some water on the valve while the head is upside down. Good way to see if the valves are seating good.

Edit- Use all metal head gasket, can reuse the head bolts. Use torque wrench, clean out the threads on the block good for proper torque. Replace most of the rubber vacuum lines & water hoses.

[RamThis]

for get it pull and put a FI motor in lol might as well get the extra ponys while your doing it

LOL that's what I'm doing!! Rebuilding the EFI engine before it goes in too, so either way a rebuild is in order, might as well swap over to one that has a little more balls

[88Accord-DX]

Also, you can pull the header, head, intake & carb as one peice. Remove the nuts holding the bracket on the engine, header & bolts on the head. Label all the wires & hoses if do it yourself. If not plan on paying a fortune.

Here is a pic of what I'm talking about...

[88Accord-DX]

dp

[HondaBoy]

i dunno. the way i see it is pretty easy, but i never thought changing a head was much work. maybe its just me?

[A18A]

well once you got the head off it seems like it wasnt much work, just a matter of unbolting everything in the way and unplugging everything. after its off its pretty straight foward to put back together.