Is this an AP2 retainer in my AP1?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 127
Likes: 18
Is this an AP2 retainer in my AP1?
AP2 intake retainer on AP1?
Hi folks. I purchased an 01 AP1 last year and was doing a bit of mid-winter maintenance (checking the coolant, oil, gaskets, hoses, valves, etc) and when it came time to check the retainers for cracks, the retainers looked different than the other retainers I’ve come across on AP1s. Feeling around the back of the motor for a serial number plate on the head revealed that there wasn’t one... which leads me to think that this particular motor is either newer than the car, or the head is. With that said, these look an AWFUL lot like AP2 retainers, with the beveled inner walls and smaller “hump” area on the top. Can anyone tell, with any certainty if these AP2 retainers? The owner I purchased the car from never mentioned a new head or motor, and I doubt he knew about it. He did point to the soft top latches and say some nonsense about “they told me these were AP2 retainers, and they’re better!” I just assumed he wasn’t spouting nonsense and ignored it... maybe he didn’t know what a retainer was and assumed it was the top latch? Anyway...
TL;DR - Is this an AP2 retainer in my AP1? Thank you!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 127
Likes: 18
Thanks for the replies!
Darcy, they’re all uniformly that design. Intake and exhaust.
The Cam, and some of the hardware look to be the same age as the vehicle, but the head assembly looks brand new. In other words, the cam has some slight varnish on it, but the springs, retainers, etc. don’t. Plus, the serial number missing from the head...
I spent the afternoon investigating the retainers and can’t find any that look suspect, so I’m just hoping these are all AP2 retainers and I don’t have to take the valve cover off again any time soon.
Darcy, they’re all uniformly that design. Intake and exhaust.
The Cam, and some of the hardware look to be the same age as the vehicle, but the head assembly looks brand new. In other words, the cam has some slight varnish on it, but the springs, retainers, etc. don’t. Plus, the serial number missing from the head...
I spent the afternoon investigating the retainers and can’t find any that look suspect, so I’m just hoping these are all AP2 retainers and I don’t have to take the valve cover off again any time soon.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 331
From: Sacramento
AP2 intake retainer on AP1?
Hi folks. I purchased an 01 AP1 last year and was doing a bit of mid-winter maintenance (checking the coolant, oil, gaskets, hoses, valves, etc) and when it came time to check the retainers for cracks, the retainers looked different than the other retainers I’ve come across on AP1s. Feeling around the back of the motor for a serial number plate on the head revealed that there wasn’t one... which leads me to think that this particular motor is either newer than the car, or the head is. With that said, these look an AWFUL lot like AP2 retainers, with the beveled inner walls and smaller “hump” area on the top. Can anyone tell, with any certainty if these AP2 retainers? The owner I purchased the car from never mentioned a new head or motor, and I doubt he knew about it. He did point to the soft top latches and say some nonsense about “they told me these were AP2 retainers, and they’re better!” I just assumed he wasn’t spouting nonsense and ignored it... maybe he didn’t know what a retainer was and assumed it was the top latch? Anyway...
TL;DR - Is this an AP2 retainer in my AP1? Thank you!
ROD
p.s. Thanks to toohoos for this info.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 127
Likes: 18
Thank you for all of your help, everyone. With everyone here, Billman, and a few friends all unanimously saying they’re AP2, I’ll rest easy.
The photo was actually a screen grab from a 1:30 4K video I shot... I’ve been on the receiving end of these threads in various 88-91 civic forums, so I like to make sure I’ve got my evidence handy!
Again, I appreciate all of the assistance! I hope I can help out others the same way in the future.
The photo was actually a screen grab from a 1:30 4K video I shot... I’ve been on the receiving end of these threads in various 88-91 civic forums, so I like to make sure I’ve got my evidence handy!
Again, I appreciate all of the assistance! I hope I can help out others the same way in the future.