didn't feel this deserved a new thread, but i've had the head off the block for a few days and the cylander walls are starting to show some discoloration. should i worry about this? i'm not going to be able to get the head from the shop for another week. i was thinking i'd just have to take some carb cleaner to the walls before i put on the new head. just wanted to make sure.
there is also a very small nick on one of the pistons(no. 3) that looks like its from a valve. probably when the cam broke. it seems trivial to me. one other thing, what are those little round holes for? this is new territory for me. very interesting.

By Chaffneue (Chaffneue) (66.183.190.188) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 12:11 am:

Carb cleaner is all toluene and propellant.. it's a good carbon eater for sure and the aerosol pressure helps immesely.. it's mildly carcinogenic (cancer causing) so you'd be good to spray it outdoors with a pair of safety goggles or eyeglasses and gloves. If you don't use gloves, make sure to wash your hands right after with a solvent based cream hand cleaner..

-Richard

By Jarcaf (Jarcaf) (207.55.238.216) on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 04:05 pm:

Carb cleaner has definitely worked the best for me when I'm cleaning carbon deposits. That stuff is TOXIC! Wear goggles when you use it too...I forgot once when I was cleaning a scooter carb and it blew back a shot straight into my eye. Needless to say, it hurt for hours even after flushing it for several minutes, and it more than likely caused some serious permanent damage. That stuff is designed to break down carbon bonds, and guess what we're made of?

By Yellowcivic (65.133.82.237) on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 02:53 pm:

Spray the cylinders with wd-40 just before you install the head. Crank it over by hand a few times and wipe it clean. Spray and leave wd-40 in the cylinders and install the head and gasket. That will help with the rings re seating.
David

By bruce (4.159.56.15) on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 02:39 pm:

wire brush will work....some carb cleaner will help too, coolant on top of the pistons is normal when you pull the head, I would leave the rings alone

By Aryl (Aryl) (216.99.197.41) on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 02:08 pm:

i'm not sure how many miles are on the engine. the guy the bought the car from didn't know the guy who put it in.
the cylanders got a bit of coolant in them when i took off the head. the rings didn't let any through for the few minutes that the coolant was there. also the chambers on the head loookd fairly clean(i've seen worse), so i don't think it was burning oil.
i am totally willing to not put in new rings if i don't have to.
cool.
oh yeah, whats the right way to clean carbon build up of piston tops? wire brush?

By bruce (4.252.195.53) on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 07:47 pm:

you can pop your pistons out the top, drop the oil pan and drive them up, if your not having any compression/blowing oil issues I would leave em alone. yellow is right though, if it is really high mileage... maybe take one piston out, check your rod bearing....get a ring compressor from the auto parts store, makes it a lot easier to get them back in. if you have no comression/oil blow by issues I would probably just leave em alone, I have redone heads and just put them back on with no problems. pics are probably still in the archives when I blew a valve.

By yellowcivic (65.130.42.234) on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 06:32 pm:

I used cast with chrome top rings from after market and have had good luck. You probably wouldn't hurt the rings just doing a valve job. Done it many times. How many miles on the engine? You don't need to remove the crank to hone the block. You would just need to be carefull not to get any honing dust on the mains. Cover the crank with a good rag. Wash it out with clean solvent. I will send an e-mail
David

By Aryl (Aryl) (216.99.192.13) on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 02:59 pm:

also, i'm kind of wondering about quality of rings.
honda wants $47USD per piston. i can get a whole set from my local discount import shop for $16USD.
the cheaper ones are all cast iron. i've heard a chrome top ring will last longer.

By Aryl (Aryl) (216.99.192.13) on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 02:55 pm:

i'm getting a head redone for my '79 EK motor. i figure i have to change the rings as i have heard a new head can blow out worn rings. i understand basically how to do it. i've read the procedure. seems fairly straightforward...do i have to take out the crank to hone and change rings? from what i've read on here, its not a good idea to reuse crank bearing. the honda ones are mondo spendy.
i don't really have the money for a full rebuild. any suggestions would rock.
by the way, yellowcivic, you should email me. i'd like to see how you cars are doing.