justapirate

Hey all, my name is Jackie, and I'm a little new to the world of Hondas. I live in upstate NY, right in the snowbelt. I've been rocking a slow ford sedan for all these years, and decided to get a fun summer car. It ended up being a '92 prelude Si non-vtec with the h23a motor. I will be using this thread as a project journal. But feel free to post with any questions, comments, whatever.

So, the car's story:
We bought the prelude believing the head was cracked, so we got it for cheap. (We being me and my husband. He is the one doing the majority of the work, I'm learning along the way) The head ended up being fine... The idiots who owned the car before use thought it was the block, as they forgot half the bolts attaching the head to the intake manifold, and so it POURED out antifreeze. So, after we saw the head was fine we thought the block was too, and spent $400 on parts. (new felpro gaskets, new headbolts, new gates waterpump and timing belt, head resurfaced)

Only then did we realize the car also had a thrown rod. Ugh! Kinda sucks to be lied to- but our fault for not getting a compression test. After thinking about it, we decided to try a frankenstein engine build for now, until money can be saved for a proper jdm h22 engine.

We plan on using our h23a head with a f23 block pulled from a junkyard accord. This seems to be the easiest way to save money, and use the majority of the parts we have already gotten without them being wasted. (the block will cost $130) Project g23!

I will add more another day as we plan on removing the broken block later today. Sometime next week we will be scouting out junk accords for a good donor block, and puling it out as well. I will provide pictures and of course, descriptions of what we do and why. I realize this is going to be trial and error, but why else would I be getting a project car?

- Jackie



Just realized I don't have a pic of the car without it's hood down lol

justapirate

Since last post, the block has been unbolted and everything, just waiting to take it out when we start the hybrid project. Removed the radiator and intake manifold, too. Cleaned the interior a bit, and tore off the aftermarket fenders. They were cracked and pretty crappy looking. Also installed a temporary radio, as well as some back speakers, as the car didn't come with any.

Head after it was resurfaced. Apologies for the crappy phone camera quality


Underside of head


What I was dealing with when I made my first post. Head removed, along with a few other things.

Here is that missing piston. Looks like it was knocking for a while!


Intake is now removed


Aaand radiator removed. The transmission lines were a pain to get off here!


Interior shot. Leaves a bit to be desired, but I can live with it for now. The dash is beautiful! But those nasty carpets have got to go eventually! (I know it's an automatic. That is by choice.)

Besides the engine itself, the honda rot on this car is another DIY project I will be doing. The previous owner bondo'd it half-***, some spots are getting flacky whereas others are pretty solid. After the engine is in and the car is at least running we will be repainting it and fixing any body issues.

Tomorrow we will be going scouting for a donor accord. I can't wait!

P. Hunter

i hate to correct people but the thing that you are holding in your hand is not a valve, that would be a piston !!!

i hope you are taking the whole block apart too! ??

justapirate

Haha thanks, that's what I get for rushing to write this.

As for the block, are you referring to my current one, or the one I will be getting? My current block is as tore down as it's gonna get for now- it's scrap. If you mean the new block, I am holding off on putting too much $ into it for now, as I don't know if I'll keep that set up for more then a year or two. Trying to save money for an h22 vtec, but want to drive the car still!

justapirate

We have decided to go g23. Found a good donor 1999 accord with 130k on it. Was the only f23a1 motor in the junkyard, too!

Tomorrow we will be tackling the problem of cleaning the darn thing inside and out.

Also scored a good pair of OEM black prelude fenders, tail lights, and side markers. The passenger side fender has a slight dent, but that can easily be fixed when we paint the car.






I'm beginning to weigh the pros and cons of saving to buy a h22 someday vs. using this motor for a turbo.

justapirate

Today the engine bay was cleared a bit more, getting it ready for the swap. The h23a head is also being put back together. Also began cleaning thef23 block with a steel wire brush, cause the outside of the block is pretty corroded, and I am hoping to paint it. It's slow going until I can buy something better, but hey it was 79 cents, can't beat that.

justapirate

Not a huge update this time. Since I last posted, the old block has been lifted out with a chain fall we borrowed. It was covered with oil! Poor thing had the life beat out of it by the previous owner.

I am still working on cleaning the f23 block. Verrrry slow going, but that's ok. We're in no huge rush at the moment as we wait for some parts to come in the mail. Today we are thinking of cleaning and painting the intake manifold. Will post pics if we do!

Also today might try and tackle the water pump gear exchange. (h23 gear into f23 housing) Haven't tried anything yet, but it looks slightly tricky, as it is pressed on. I don't believe we have a gear press, as another poster used to get his out.

I know this isn't the most impressive build thread lol, but thanks everyone for looking at it! In a year or so this car will look 100% different!

Don Jefe

Good work so far, keep us posted!

Good luck

justapirate

Hey everyone! It's been a while, and I have been limited on my spare time... but we have some progress!

Here are the two holes that are supposed to be filled in. I am not 100% sure why every write-up syas to do this, as they don't lead anywhere... but better safe then sorry!



After that dried, and we cleaned it off a bit, slapped the f23 head gasket on there, and it was time to put the head on.
Voilà!:



Right now it makes a better beer stand then an engine.

Anyway, I am hoping to put the oil pan on later today or tomorrow. But have to fix a dent in it, and replace the oil pickup before trying that, as the pickup is ruined. Looks like it was dented in from when the car was carried into the junkyard via forklifts.

Once that is on and painted, we will begin to tackle the waterpump modifications.

justapirate

Finished with the oil pan now. To save on money, we transferred the h23 oil pan and pickup onto the f23 block. It's a low profile setup anyway, so less likely to scrape on the ground (the h23 oil pickup is not compatible with the f23 oil pan anyway. It was too low.)

The dented pickup looks like it got punched in the mouth or something. Gave me a little laugh


The pan was pretty rusty, but after a little sanding it was gone. Some of the metal was slightly pitted, but not an issue. Decided to keep with the gold theme, and paint it too. Plus, painting it will hopefully avoid it rusting again...




We applied silicone to both sides of gasket, and torqued the bolts evenly. Looks like it turned out good.

Bjarte

good work keep it up

justapirate

Thank you!

justapirate

Hey everyone, it's been a little over a month but more progress!

After stopping at harbor freight, we got a cheap-o gear puller. This made changing the gear on the waterpump much easier! We had to use an f22 waterpump with an h23 gear.

Here is the block ready for the waterpump to go on.


And then:


After that was done, we put in the camshafts.


Then put on the belts, and adjusted the timing:


BUT, we quickly realized we had the wrong belt. It was just slightly too loose, and would probably slip after a little bit of driving. After some research we found that we need the integra gsr tming belt for the block. It has one less tooth then the current h23 timing belt, so it will be just tight enough.

Here's a pic of the loose timing belt:

Blegh...

Ordered the integra belt, and that is on the way. We also need to get a f22 coolant pipe soon, as the h23 is a little too big. (the f22 pipe is a little smaller, other people doing this swap recommend that pipe)

Also installed the exhaust manifold and intake. They are the stock parts, won't be switching to something nicer until this damn thing runs!

(Edit: Ordered the wrong timing belt. I ordered the 1993 integra gsr belt, but it is too small. Has 124 teeth. I need a belt for the 1997+ integra gsr, as it has 126 teeth. The h23 belt has 127 teeth, and it is lil too big. Ooops, gotta wait a few more days until this is sorted out.)

minilogoguy18

I dunno if I'd keep a car that had that bad of rear quarter rot since cutting the metal out and welding new metal back in is the only way to do it.

justapirate

I have thought about that, but I don't intend to make it a show car. More like a fun beater.
However, I have some auto body specialists on my family. Already been told the work will be free if I can acquire the parts! Plan to go that route in the future. I know it will be a little difficult to find rear quarter panels for a 4th gen lude in the snowbelt though...

justapirate

Belt is on, timing re-done! Here's what a proper timing belt looks like:



A few more things to do, and this baby is almost ready to be put back in!

BlackCatt

Goodwork man. I like the gold paint too.

justapirate

Thank you!

Motor is about to be put into car, just waiting on a crank pulley bolt! Couldn't wait, so it's already hoisted up over the car lol



Also, for anyone doing the swap, the f22 coolant pipe and f23 pipe are the same. Either can be used, but it fits a little tight. (The h23 pipe can not be used.) The small coolant tap should be blocked off, too, because the h-series motor does not use it.

justapirate

Thanks to work picking up for the both of us, and because this motor just had to be a bitch, getting it in took a little while. But it's in, and has been for a little over two months.
We've had a few snags, and had to buy new parts, too. Like the exhaust pipe.

Today we got the wiring harness in and a few other things, but ran out of time. Next week probably the radiator and whatever else we can do in a few hours. I will try and post some pics then

Hoping I can get it on the road before the snow falls, but no promises there lol. NY weather is insane, end of story.

justapirate

SHE RUNS!

Had more time yesterday, and got everything back in. (Well, mostly) Turned the key, and it started without any problem! Wish I could of gotten a video, but camera decided to fail and break. Damn, the prelude sounds smoother then my daily driver!

Once everything is good, we're gonna try a mini road test.

justapirate

Some electrical stuff had to be sorted out (the throttle cable began to smoke when the engine first warmed up) and a few other things...

But,


Took it for a ride pretty much right after getting home from work. There are a few kinks to work out, but hell yeah! I've got a prelude

BlackCatt

Great news and nice work on the build.

PirateMcFred

I looove gooold! haha

Very nice. Just in time for a Turkey day road trip!

Thanks for sharing.
-P

justapirate

Thank you BlackCatt, was starting to feel like I'd never see the day lol

And thanks PirateMcFred! Your own original post about your g23 build was what caused us to try this out to be honest. I feel honored you approve!



So tldr; this specific g23 engine build is comprised of:

• stock h23a1 head from 1992 prelude (180k, had valves lapped, head resurfaced. Includes intake manifold, distributer, fuel rail and lines, sensors, throttle body, new ebay header)
• stock f23a1 block from 1999 accord (130k. Includes rods, crank, oil pump, new gates tensioner pulleys, h23 timing cogs, h23 accessory drive pulley, waterpump)
• f23 waterpump with h23 gear
• 1997+ integra gsr timing belt
• 2 filled in misc holes on head
• f23 head gasket
• f23 oil pan gasket
• h23 oil pan and pickup
• f22 or f23 coolant pipe (needs the small outlet blocked off) fits snug

PirateMcFred

I was unaware the F23 was made as early as 1996. I thought it came about in 1998. I also thought that the F23 oil pan gasket was just Honda bond. Are you using a non-honda gasket? I'm sure Felpro or whomever would make an aftermarket replacement. I thoguht about using the rubber gasket, but went with the F23 pan. Just glued it on instead like the factory.

I used the F22A1 hard coolant line for the original build. The Accord's F23 pipe had the wrong angle for it to work well with the H23 thermostat housing. Which one did you use?


-P