Here is a link to a thread I started regarding my 1990 CRX DX with D15B2...

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1466357

Now my question to all you knowledgeable HT members...

Is it worth the trouble to replace the headgasket? I'll probably have to get a new rad and hoses and stuff too. My dad has a friend who will charge $600 to not only do the headgasket and check the cooling system too but also some other small things that need to be done to pass Pennsylvania safety inspection. I'd prefer to do it myself but I don't have a garage, don't know anyone with access to a garage and I'd rather not do it out in the cold under the elements.

My dad is suggesting I just look for a "new" engine rather than wasting time on my D15B2. What do you guys and gals suggest? I'm not looking at any major engine swaps, just something that will just drop right in. And maybe give me a bit more power too! Right now I'd be happy with any suggestions that will get my damn car back on the road!

Thanks for looking!

 

Shoot, for 600 bucks get a d15b7 or d16y7 and just drop it in there. You'll have money left over by far.

 

and ill buy the old d15b2! let me know if it ever happens.

 

Thanks guys! Anyone else?

 

when I first bought my car I took it on a road trip down to Southern California. on the way back 30 miles outside of Las Vegas the upper radiator hose blew, causing the coolant to vanish. The engine overheated, causing the head gasket to blow. In the end we were stranded in Vegas for 3 extra days and I ended up paying "Dr. Dwayne" 800 dollars to replace my head gasket.

It seemed like a good deal to me at the time because I knew people who had to pay over a grand for the same thing.

I was furious that I just paid too much for this car and now I had to pay an extra 800 to get it running again, all because of a cheap $2 hose that blew.

Never again.

I set out to learn as much as I could about this car so I can do my own work.

Now that I've given you my pointless story, here is my advice:

it's all a matter of money/time. You can probably replace your head gasket in a day (assuming it's all new to you). This will cost you about $60 for a head gasket and the time required to do it. It's fairly easy to do. You can check your cooling system yourself. Hell, you can get a new radiator for $100 or so and all new hoses for probably around $20. You can flush your cooling system for $2 and a garden hose.

If you are intent on swapping engines but don't want to do anything too extreme or time consuming, I'd recommend finding a d16y7 and swapping it in. you can use your existing DPFI manifold and ECU.

Read about it here: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1480049

Remember you'll end up paying for a new engine too as well as the cost of swapping it, so the price might be a little higher. Depending on how extreme you go you might end up needing to do some wiring as well. You might be able to find a local honda-tech member who can offer to help you for a fee.