I'm looking to buy a B18 block with GE sleeves already installed but the block is bare:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

I've been told that when you buy a block, you should get it with the original main caps, otherwise you will have problems with the crank.

Is this true? I have a GSR in my CRX right now but I don't really want to pull it and send it out to get sleeved because of the downtime.

Let me know if buying bare blocks is ok

 

You need the original main caps, otherwise your main bearing clearances will be fucked. Fucked main bearing clearances can be fixed if you can find another set of main caps, but it's a hassle and you wind up dong something like getting custom-made main bearings or having your pistons out of their holes and getting a custom-made head gasket to compensate. I've done it successfully before, but I didn't have to pay anything for the sleeved block, and it was still an expensive hassle. If I had to pay >1K for the block, then it wouldn't be worth it.

 

You should ask the seller if the main caps are included. doesn't really say. bare block could mean no crank, no rods, no pistons. If no main caps, you will need to have the block line honed and the crank machined.