Will a B3 head fit on a B6?

[grey]

I have a 8 valve mazda 323 that needs a new head and all I can find are B3 in the junkyard
From reading here I learned that the valves are different size. But, I am asking if the B3 head will simply bolt on and run decent. Not going to be racing...well racing past the gas pumps maybe

I appreciate any learned responses

[Damkid]

i think i've read that they do but i'm not sure on it, you could always buy a B3 head gasket and compare it to your B6 block

[batstiva]

For some reason, I'm thinking the coolant passages are different. Let me dig around a bit more.

Okay, just cause I have no life, here's what I found. On Autozone's website, the parts numbers for the 1.3 and the 1.6 HG are different.

Pic of the 1.6 HG


1.3L Head Gasket

1988 Mazda 323 SOHC Head Gasket Kit


Part Number:
HS9461B-1
Weight:
0.91 lbs
Notes:
Combine with lower set to make full set. Permadry molded rubber valve cover gaskets and Premium valve stem seals included. Exhaust manifold heat shield not included. Head bolts not included.
Sku:
75215
Description:
Head Gasket Set
Quantity:
1
Abrasion And Chemical Resistant:
Yes
Inner-Molded Flex-Cord Fibers:
Yes
Chemical Resistant:
Yes
Heat And O-Zone Resistant:
Yes
Shipping Information:
Overnight and Two Day shipping are not available for PO Box, APO/FPO/DPO or US Territory addresses.




1988 Mazda 323 SOHC Head Gasket




Part Number:
9461PT
Weight:
0.6 lbs
Notes:
PermaTorque?
Material:
Graphite Facing W/Perforated Steel Core.
Bore Size:
3.175
Bore Shape:
Round.
Shipping Information:
Overnight and Two Day shipping are not available for PO Box, APO/FPO/DPO or US Territory addresses.




1989 Ford Festiva SOHC Head Gasket Set


Part Number: HS9555B
Weight: 1.05 lbs Notes: Combine With Lower Set to Make Full Set; Permadry molded rubber valve cover gasket and premium valve stem seals included. Head bolts not included
Shipping Information: Overnight and Two Day shipping are not available for PO Box, APO/FPO/DPO or US Territory addresses.



1989 Ford Festiva SOHC Head Gasket
Part Number: 9555PT
Weight: 0.25 lbs Notes: PermaTorque?
Material: Graphite Facing W/Perforated Steel Core. Bore Size: 2.95 Bore Shape: Round. Shipping Information: Overnight and Two Day shipping are not available for PO Box, APO/FPO/DPO or US Territory addresses.

Definitely not a direct swap-perfect fit scenario, but in a pinch, I guess it could work for a bit. Anyone else?

[grey]

Thanks for quick responses. The U-pull-it yard is shredding alot of these type cars recently. I have to move fast.

I am researching but have not found much. The intake/exhaust might not bolt on. ( it is hard to tell which generation is being spoken of.)

I have to travel near 100 miles to pull the head myself and then compare.
The Mazda boards are not as good as this one, no help there....and a B3 head on a B6 might get me banned there!

I want to put a 1.3 head on a 1.6 block. These are 8 valve SOHC fuel injected engines.

[Damkid]

i know the first generation B6's exhaust manifolds do inteerchange with the B3's if that clears up a little bit for ya

[grey]

i know the first generation B6's exhaust manifolds do inteerchange with the B3's if that clears up a little bit for ya

That is something I read: That the exhuast ports were not the same shape and maybe bolt pattern different. Again I dont know which engine we are talking about. "First generation" means different things to different people/places. I have a B6- E.

There are at least 2 festiva's in the yard. Complete, as far as I know.

I remember an Isuzu pickup that could use the smaller size heads (2.3 on a 2.6). I think it was bolt on. Performance improvement.

Thanks to all

[grey]

I will have to check part numbers
I found this

1.6

http://allmazda.net/parts/323/AEBA02/C1/1010%20B/

1.3

http://allmazda.net/parts/323/AEBA02/C1/1010/

[Damkid]

by first genereation i mean 88-89 323 B6 SOHC

[hotfordcat]

Only difference in the gaskets is the width between cylinders, which my cause a loss of compression depending on which gasket you use. May also cause carbon build-up in those areas.

[grey]

Yes I think the B6 gasket should be used.

Parts diagram I see has "valve shudders" on the intake. I am sure the B6 does not have them.

[manxbuggy1]

What part of the country are you in? The reason I ask is I have a b6e that I just pulled out of my festy. It has oil burning issues, but I think it is rings. If you live anywhere in southeast Texas you are welcome to it. Let me know.
Rick

[FestYboy]

what year B6 (year of the car, year of the block doesn't matter)? knowing this will clear up your question very quickly

[grey]

manxbuggy1 - I am north of Houston 600 miles I would guess

FestYboy- this is an 1988 Mazda 323. As far as I know it the original engine.

[FestYboy]

then all you need is a festiva or aspire head, everything else you have will bolt right up w/o modification. though i do recomend you remove the exhaust valves and smooth out the short turn radius of the exhaust runner, there's a hard edge "shelf" that needs smoothed out. if you slide your finger along the bottom of the runner in tward the valve seat, you'll see what i mean.

[grey]

Thank you very much for the info.

The only heads I could find at the U pull yard were B3. Those engines looked exactly like the B6. I had to double check the casting stamp.

Will I find a write up here on how much to grind from the exhaust port?
Will opening the exhaust downstream have the same affect?


REMINDER: I am putting a B3 head on a B6 engine. That is backward to what you will see on this board.

I was also wondering if the cutouts in the piston will now be in the wrong place? If so, will I be safe to grind them out without cutting through?

then all you need is a festiva or aspire head, everything else you have will bolt right up w/o modification. .

okay, I have your word as a gentleman and a scholar?

If I put this B3 head on, do you think this B6 will run decent? What if any issues do you forsee?

have you heard or seen this done?


thanks.