DOWEL PINS
 

I just installed the head on my motor, and forgot to put the dowel pins in, its already torqued , and cams installed.
I wanna know if this is a major problem. will it be ok to run it without the pin, I don't wanna retorque twice on a headgasket.
please let me know if its fine technically not opinions.

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

i dont have mine but mine sometimes seeps a little oil... so I cant say for sure. but it has been running for ~30k like that so its not a disaster.

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

I am sitting here debating if I should go back in and remove the head and install the pins, but I am running a special thickness cometic headgasket because my head was shaved too much, and I have a race this weekend so I can afford to wait another month for a new one, I really dont know what to do now.
I took my time and still ---- it up damn!

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

---- it! if it leaks it leaks. I feel stupid, that with my experience in doing this I forgot some dowel pins.

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

Never done it but besides just seating the head they seem like the would help with hg problems in the long run has well

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

if your gasket is a cometic one pull the head off but the pins in and retorque.. you shouldnt have a problem.. i had a freind but his headgasket in upside down..(dont ask me how) but he did took the head off and redid it and had no problems.. and that was a stock honda mls gasket

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

Im not in any way teling you what you should do, but, I would take it back apart and put the pins in w/ a new head gasket.

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

If it were me I would just take it off and put the dowel pins in and reuse the head gasket that you have now, so what you torqued it , you havent run it on it yet have you? I wouldnt run it like that but thats just me, and I am a little bit intoxicated but I would still put em in there. If honda put em in there they must have been there for a reason or why would they waste the money on them?

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

I say run it. As far as I know they just make installing the head easier if you're using stock bolts instead of studs. If you run into any problems throw them back in,

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

I figured since they are used to align the head, it would not cause a big issue since I am using ARP studs, the cometic headgasket cost a little more since it was special ordered since tuner toys don't keep these in stock, I am in Germany so overnight shipping would be a waste and would still take a long time.
so I look at the positive side, I am using head studs the help to align the head just like the dowel pins. and this rebuild is only to get me back on the street for one race. because I am building a sleeved block in the winter. all I replace was the bearings, and headgasket. thanks for replies, I will mak sure next build I will hang the pins from the hood latch so I won't forget them ;D

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

Don't forget to keep in mind you'd have to have the dowel pins shaved down in height due to the head being decked "x" amount, so it might be a blessing in disguise for now lol.

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

you have to think about what keeps the head from moving laterally on the block since there is play between of the sides of the studs and head.
the pressure of the studs pulling the head down?
those little dowel pins do a lot preventing lateral forces being put on the head studs.
any thing connected to the head puts some small force on them taking away from their main purpose.

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

I forgot an oil control piece on my ls/vtec with a cometic hg after It was torqued. I pulled

the head off to replace it and retorqued everything, it works fine. Its a good thing I used ARP head studs.

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

I would put them back on and make sure they are not too long, since you mentioned your head was shaved quite a bit.


I have never re-used a headgasket. A couple people I know tried re-using their thicker cometic and that ---- spewed coolant out the exhaust like no tomorrow.


You might at least use copper spray if you are going to re-use it.

Re: DOWEL PINS
 

I thought about lateral movement, I sat there for an hour trying to figure out what I should do, then I said to myself this biuld wont be driven a lot, only one event and park, and if it stills runs after oh well. I am worried a little, but its not gonna get me down too much.