Civic cylinder head resurfacing

[cb7ftw]

Do you really need to resurface your cylinder head when replacing a head gasket? Seems like all those bolts would pull it on flat. It came off flat.

Topic

[Steven Cummings]

You need to check your FSM or even the Haynes manual to make sure any warpage is within serviceable limits. Also, if there are any grooves/gouges, I would say yes, especially when they are near a piston bore or coolant/oil passage. So not every headgasket I have replaced required a resurfaced cylinder head.

If it’s aluminum there is an increased likelihood that you’ll need to have it resurfaced due to the softer material.

Check if your local NAPA has a nearby facility, I’ve found their price to be really good for servicing cylinder heads (maybe not the fastest turnaround though).

[cb7ftw]

Thanks. Did not know NAPA did that. Will check them out.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I don’t, and I don’t recommend it. Checking it for straightness is not a bad thing but honestly bolting down even a warped head (depending how bad it is) can actually straighten it out. The most important thing is to torque it down properly.

[Author]

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