Head gasket Prelude H22A closed deck – Genuine Honda 12251-P13-004

Head gasket H22A closed deck – Genuine Honda 12251-P13-004

Original Genuine Honda head gasket 12251-P13-004 designed for H-series 2.2 DOHC VTEC engines with a closed deck block used in Honda Prelude IV (1992–1996). It is a factory head gasket engineered for the thermal and pressure loads typical for high-revving H22 engines.

This part number is associated with the early H22 closed deck block design. Within the H22 family Honda used two different block constructions – closed deck and later open deck versions, each matched with a specific head gasket. The 12251-P13-004 gasket belongs to the closed deck configuration and is the correct choice when rebuilding those early H22 units.

Applications – which engines use 12251-P13-004?

The Genuine Honda head gasket 12251-P13-004 is used on closed deck H-series engines fitted to Prelude IV (chassis BB1) in the 1992–1996 model years, including:

• H22A1, H22A2– Honda Prelude 2.2 DOHC VTEC (BB1, 1992–1996),
• H22A (JDM) – JDM closed deck H22A variants used in Prelude IV and related applications.

If you are rebuilding an H22 closed deck block, this gasket corresponds to the factory solution Honda used for these early high-compression, high-revving engines.

Why choose the Genuine Honda head gasket?

• Exact match for closed deck H22 – bore diameters, coolant passages and oil galleries follow the original Honda specification for this block type.
• Designed for high RPM use – H22 engines are often driven at higher revs; proper sealing of the combustion chamber is critical for reliability and performance.
• Secure sealing of oil and coolant circuits – minimises the risk of coolant–oil mixing and external leaks when installed correctly.
• Solid base for OEM+ builds – ideal for stock rebuilds and mildly tuned street/track setups where reliability is a priority.
• Durability proven in factory engines – this is the same type of gasket that survived high mileages in well-maintained Prelude IV cars from new.

When is it time to replace the head gasket on an H22?

Typical symptoms of a failing or damaged head gasket on a Honda Prelude H22 include:

• continuous coolant loss with no obvious external leaks,
• white vapour from the exhaust once the engine is fully warm,
• emulsified “mayonnaise” on the oil cap or in the expansion tank,
• tendency to overheat despite a working thermostat and radiator,
• uneven idle and low compression on one or more cylinders.

During a rebuild of these engines many owners deliberately choose the Genuine Honda gasket to avoid issues often associated with low-quality aftermarket parts and to minimise the risk of having to open the engine again.

Installation tips for H22 head gasket replacement

• Inspect and, if needed, resurface the cylinder head – check flatness and general condition; after overheating, professional resurfacing to Honda specs is strongly recommended.
• Thoroughly clean mating surfaces – block deck and head must be free from old gasket material, carbon and corrosion, without aggressive scraping of the aluminium.
• Use a new set of head bolts – H22 head bolts work in the torque-to-yield range; replacing them during a gasket job is considered best practice.
• Follow the correct tightening procedure – sequence, torque values and angle stages must follow the official Honda workshop manual for H22 engines.
• Bleed the cooling system properly – once the engine is assembled and filled with fresh coolant, remove air from the system to avoid hot spots and false overheating symptoms.

For more advanced builds based on the H22A closed deck block (swap, street/track projects), the 12251-P13-004 gasket is a sensible baseline that matches the original closed deck design. Later H22 engines with open deck blocks require different part numbers and a different approach to gasket selection.

FAQ – Genuine Honda head gasket 12251-P13-004 (H22A closed deck)

Q: Does this gasket fit every H22 engine?
A: No. The 12251-P13-004 gasket is intended for closed deck H22 blocks used in early Prelude IV applications (H22A1, H22A2 and the corresponding JDM H22A closed deck versions). Later open deck H22 engines use different head gasket part numbers.

Q: Is it suitable for a stock rebuild of a 1992–1996 Prelude 2.2 VTEC?
A: Yes. This is the factory head gasket specified for Honda Prelude IV 2.2 DOHC VTEC (1992–1996) with the closed deck H22 block and is the natural choice for an OEM-style rebuild.

Q: Do I always need to resurface the head when changing the gasket?
A: At minimum, the head should be checked for flatness. If the engine has overheated or the sealing surface shows distortion or damage, resurfacing by a competent machine shop is strongly advised to protect the new gasket.

Q: Can I reuse the old head bolts?
A: On H-series engines the head bolts are generally treated as single-use components. For reliable clamping force and long-term sealing, using a new complete set of head bolts is the safer option.