I have found that I did indeed install the head gasket upside down. The resulting cam seizure was violent enough to turn the top timing sproket/hub 1/4" after the cam had stopped, as well as break the cam where the pin rides to locate the timing sproket/hub.

 Thanks to all that pondered, typed and helped.



I had two valves put in my '88 Sammi's(81, 000 original miles) head. I reinstalled it yesterday, fired it up and it ran like a new sewing machine. Well, it did for about 5 miles at which point  the timing belt broke because the cam seized up tight. It was dry under the valve cover, which was not a problem before I removed the head Friday.

 I was very careful not to allow debris to fall into oil or cooling holes, so the only thing I can think of that may have caused this is that .....I found that a hole in the head gasket(passenger side-rear of gasket) was much smaller than the oil hole in the block, almost obscuring the oil passage. I opened the gasket to match the passage.....and I'm thinking that I messed up big time.

 Can someone out there with much greater knowledge of the oiling system of the 1.3 either confirm or discount this theory?

 I'm thinking of ordering a reman. head from Advance, but I don't want to bolt it on till this is resolved.

 Thanks in advance!

check your oil pump.  I can't be sure on the 1.3 but Ive blown a few honda civic engines because of that.

 If I had had any oil delivery problems a couple days ago when I removed the head , or if I had heard any suspicious noises in any other part of the engine, I would consider that more than I am right now.

The day before I removed the head I removed the valve cover and cranked the engine for a few seconds. It had very good oil delivery to the valvetrain. Something happened between the time I pulled the head, and the time I restarted the engine.

The oil hole you need to make sure is
lined up in the gasket is at the front
of the block, if the gasket was put on
wrong, like backwards it would be
blocked and you sieze the head, which
you did, your cam is the problem, and
you might be able to have the head bored
out for new cam bearings, but I don't know.

I have  a good used head, and  can't use it
let me know if you need one.

Wild

This may seem simple but was the timing belt too tight? I've seen people burn up the front cam bearing because the belt was too tight.

Thanks, WG.

 All of my passage holes lined up except for the one that comes up closest to my fuel pump....and then it was just partially obscured. I'm now thinking that the small restriction was necessary to feed the head. Maybe?    I dunno....


 As for the good used head you offered, I definitely need to save some $$ here(after this weekend's debacle), so let me know how much and where to send it.

97Trakin,

 I don't think that it was......but, the valvetrain was dry after 5 miles. Several cam lobes are now noticeably worn.


 I'm going to remove the head again here in a little bit, and see if there's any other obvious reason.....but as my luck goes, nothing is that simple.

 Thanks for your input.

I know you think it was on right, I know it wasn't,
don't feel bad, it's easy to do. I'll send the head
pay me when you can, I'll take $40 for it plus shipping
PM me with your address if you don't want to post
it here publicly