I have recently purchased a 1989 Civic DX with the pos 1.5 in it. Well, the lil thang still gets hella good gas mileage...around 40-42 mpg....but it just rolled over 278k miles. It's starting to show early signs of deterioration, spittin and sputterin and cuttin off and such, but it's only done it a few times. Other than that, the car is in a excellent shape. Well, I am fixing to leave for college in another state this year, and I need to either rebuild it or replace the motor before I go, I can't afford to screw up my college b/c my car is a piece of crap. I went to a shop and asked about having it rebuilt...he said he could do it, but he wouldn't give me any kind of warranty because the block is so old. What do you guys think?? Is the block too old or should I just try to buy a new one? Any input would be appreciated...thanks

 

Although the block has alot of miles on it, it could still be rebuilt, depending on several things though. For instance, if your cylinder wall are out of round a tampered severly then i would recommend you not use the block, you can bore it out but thats your choice. Now-a-days you can pick up a 1.5 block for less then 50 bucks and get it rebuilt on the side.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dandizel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Now-a-days you can pick up a 1.5 block for less then 50 bucks and get it rebuilt on the side. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what I would do, except with a Z6 or Y8 block.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bigfootbuz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I went to a shop and asked about having it rebuilt...he said he could do it, but he wouldn't give me any kind of warranty because the block is so old. </TD></TR></TABLE>

stay away from that shop, he obviously has no clue what a proper rebuild is.

If done properly it doesnt matter how old the block is as long as the measurements are with tolerances and everytime is checked.

find another shop.

I would just buy a SOHC ZC from hmotors and do mpfi swap. easily done for under $750 including shipping the motor and replacing the maintenance items and fluids.

 

maybe it just needs a simple tune-up..change the cap,rotor,plugs,and fuel filter before you think about replacing the engine..

and see if you can get a compression test..

 

How much you got to spend?

sohc zc, or b series it... alot less miles on both ussually

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr.speaker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">maybe it just needs a simple tune-up..change the cap,rotor,plugs,and fuel filter before you think about replacing the engine..

and see if you can get a compression test..</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr.speaker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">maybe it just needs a simple tune-up..change the cap,rotor,plugs,and fuel filter before you think about replacing the engine..

and see if you can get a compression test..</TD></TR></TABLE>

Generally speaking, if the motor is worn and needs to be rebuilt, power loss (rather than running like crap) is the result. Sputtering and missing are more commonly caused by fuel and/or ignition system problems. Check these before thinking about rebuilding. Other than these probems, the motor could have a burnt valve. A compression check should reveal this.

 

How much money do u have to spend.....you have a variety of different options from sohc, dohc, vtec, non-vtec.....so many choices, but if your going to swap anything but a stock dx motor, you should just convert from DPFI to MPFI.