I own a '91 civic std hatch. I use it for commuting back & forth to work. It recently started burning water...badly! I found a d16a6 & si tranny cheap & close to home, so I'm going to go get it this weekend. The motor is out of an '89 CRX w/ 140k on the odo. I have compiled a list of things I should replace while installing it, and I wanted you guys to let me know of anything I may be overlooking. Here's my list:

-clutch
-water pump
-timing belt & tensioner
-plugs & wires
-rotor
-valve cover gasket
-E/S mount inserts
-intake
-header
-exhaust
-MPFI conversion
-axles

I know the I/H/E is probaly not necessary, but I'll probably get something cheap off ebay. So it won't be too much of an expense. Do you think I should pull the head & replace the gasket while it's out of the car? I'm looking for anything that I may have overlooked. Even something small...I may not have thought about.

 

140 k miles may have some internal wear that you wouldn't expect if your up for it you might want to redo the head and re-ring the pisons cuz i would guess in about 20k miles you'll start havin problems. just my .02

 

I'd say get a dizzy o-ring too, can't hurt. If you replace the head gasket, you'll definately want to use ARP bolts, if not just new OEM bolts, when putting it together. If you're willing to torque & retorque the old OEM bolts, you can reuse them unless you switch to boost.

 

oil, mtf, coolant, plugs, wires, extra wire. all the extraneous stuff.

 

Do you think it would be worth having the engine rebuilt before I install it? I know that 149k miles is alot, but I have over 200k on my current motor & haven't had any problems until now. I have never been inside of a Honda motor. I have assisted my father in rebuilding many chevy engines though. What would that entail? Overboring the block, rings, pistons, bearings, seals...what would all that cost? I'm looking for a cheap/easy replacement, but it also has to be fairly reliable for the commute. Opinions?

 

Also, if I do rebuild the botton end. What should be done to the head?

 

You should probably think about rebuilding it. But I've been doing a budget rebuild on my b18a and so far it has come out to 1k in gaskets, machinework, and misc items needed for it.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. Honda engines are very well made. If you do want to do the head gasket, when you pull the head off, you will at least be able to see the condition of the pistons (tops at least) and the cylinder walls. From there you can make a decision if you want to proceed any further. Your list looks good. Some other things to think about:

Clutch assembly
intake and exhaust manifold gaskets
oil pan gasket
getting the injectors from the Si motor cleaned

 

well i suppose if you would like to swap it in the way it is and then 30,000 miles down the road pull it back out and rebuild it then ya go for it.