mattfranklin

I'm trying to decide between a JDM replacement and doing a valve job and re-ring.

If I go with the valve job and re-ring, what parts kits or brands would you recommend?

I'm thinking about all new exhaust valves and just having the intakes resurfaced.

Should I go with Honda OEM exhaust valves or are others better?
What about new head bolts? FelPro? Victor? Honda OEM?

Gasket set from FelPro or Honda?

Honda OEM rings? Other?

I know the Honda OEM stuff is usually very good, but I'm wondering if there are other good or better options.

MAD_MIKE

JDM replacement, hands down. The cost and down time of rebuilding the head/engine will be more than simply pulling the old engine and installing the replacement.

mattfranklin

Wow. Pretty firm about that. How long do you think it would take me? My experience is a Jeep 4 and a Jeep V-8 and a Ford 390 in a 2wd pickup. Or what might an independent shop charge?

MAD_MIKE

If you have manhandled an FE then you will be able to pimp slap that F23 into the engine bay. It is tight, you may need to pull the trans with the engine, which will require the axles to be pulled first. But Hondas are like Legos. Everything will come out and go back together pretty easily.

mattfranklin

I looked up the shop manual in AlldataDIY. They say about 9 hrs. to replace the whole engine , and up to 11 hours if it involves swapping of small parts from original to new engine. So it will likely take me twice that. ;-)

NerfGunner420

um to me that seems way to much time to replace an engine. 9 hours lmao thats a joke. they probably took 1 hour breaks every hour

hondamark35

9 hours "in the book" is as much a reference point for a shops labor charge as it is an actual estimate of the time required to complete. for the home mechanic not worried with meticulous details that would upset paying customers, more time can be saved.

for the first-timer, even someone like the OP who has done other similar work, the 9 hours is a good target but the safer bet is to add on 2-3 hours for broken/stripped bolts, broken or missing tools, unanticipated runs to the nearest autoparts store, checking the repair manual for the next step or torque values or wire/hose routing ect.

mattfranklin

Glad you guys are confident in your skills. On my '07 Odyssey the book said something like 5 hrs for motor mounts and it took me 9 or 10 of work. Mostly because I'd never done one of those before. The front mount was an interference fit with almost everything along the path to remove or install it.

On the good news front, I passed my smog test today. Just barely. HC spec max was 56 and I got 55. Anyway, there is less urgency. As I have two years until the next smog test, but I still want to get the motor healthy again.

A local JDM supplier, Engine World in Emeryville, quoted me $750 delivered to my door. I've seen them on eBay for $500 shipping included, though.