first off im sorry if i make this a little long but i only get 5 posts and would like to get as much info as possible

this is my first honda, my name is joe and i live in haywood county nc, and it is a 91 honda civic sedan, my dd is a 07 mazda 3, i am in the process of replacing the head gasket and water pump which is turning out to be a pain in the ***, as i have never done either before lol.. also for some reason i can see the flywheel underneath the car....i know im not supposed to, what piece am i missing?

well here is the breakdown on the car
THE BAD:
the oil out of it was as thick(like pudding) gunky and grey, and had about 7 1/2-8 Quarts in it when it calls for 3.2
there was oil in the spark plugs(caused by head gasket)
the rear windows will roll down but not up lol
the interior is Trashed bad, looks like someone rubbed mud everywhere im going to strip it completely tomorrow
i can see the flywheel from under the car(im guessing just a cover is missing or something but it drives decently
and it wont hold antifreeze due to bad water pump(leaking out of the weep holes)
THE GOOD:
it does run the alternator, starter,tires,block,radiator,and all other main components are good as far as i know
the body is in excellent condition minus about 2 small dents and a very minor scratch on the bumper
my mazda

both



current tear down


and also what do you reccomend i do to get the gunk off of the rockers and such?? and also when i first got the car the first thing i did was drain the old oil and it had about 8 quarts of oil that was extremely thick and grey? what caused that and should i just do a full teardown and clean it all from the inside out? and if that is the case what do you suggest that i use to get it good and clean and any other tips to make this easier for me as i have no idea what im doin never had to do anything like this before, any info would be greatly appreciated


Modified by b91fd at 7:45 PM 1/17/2008

 

You see your flywheel. You are missing a clutch cover?

You can use brake cleaner and wipe the rocker arms. but that would take lots of time and brake cleaner.

And the oil was thick, whoa! Time for a complete teardown and start from scratch from new pistons rings, new main bearings, seals, etc. If you plan to replace water pump then might as well overhaul the engine and build her up.

 

any idea where i can find a full tuneup/rebuild kit that includes all those things...and how complicated is it to do everything this is litteraly the first engine i have ever even tried to take apart at all let alone completely..and is there any way how to get off the 5 posts per day before 5 days? so i can get some more info from you guys i really need to get this car running and back together before the end of next week

also could i just take it all apart and let it soak in something like DAWN to eat the grease or do you suggest to leave it together and clean it as much as possible?
remember im a complete novice when it comes to this stuff im an electronics man not mechinical

 

by next week. That is not enough time. You must dedicate to this rebuild and properly assemble the new parts and buy a feeler guage to get proper clearances. and buy a shop.

 

I google shop manual crx and got this http://www.crxpower.net/~silve...l.pdf Start reading and take notes and print the neccessary torque specs

 

i already bought one of those haynes manuals on the car and it has all the info on how to do it i just dont know what all i need to replace?

 

Read this http://crxresource.org/modules...d=143

 

so is that the same engine that i have?

 

D15B2 Honda Civic DX/LX 1988-1991

D16A6 Honda Civic Si/CRX Si 1988-1991
D16A6 Honda Civic EX 1990-1991

Parts are interchangeable.

 

wow i read that whole thing and i have alot of work ahead of me thanks for all of the info ill keep updated on progress and what i decide to do because i really just need it to last me a month or so then im gonna either do a swap or replace everything inside the engine..still not decided though

Gurshed...thanks for the info im at my 5per day limit so im just gonna edit this one..lol try to get around the system...well i cant say im irritated about the car i only pain $150 for the car so i expected to have to put at least another $200 into it


Modified by b91fd at 7:45 PM 1/17/2008

 

if your thinking about doing a swap, you'll need to convert to MPFI. Even if you want to keep your stock motor for a while, swapping to MPFI is an inexpensive way to make more power. Plus, when you do decide to swap motors, your wiring will already be done.

If your doing a rebuild, might as well go convert to MPFI. Take your time, and search HT if you get lost. IMO MPFI, it's better than investing in an intake/header/exhaust. Here's a good write-up on how to wire for MPFI:
http://fourthgenhatch.net/mpfi.html

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b91fd &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i only paid $150 for the car</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's quite a good deal regardless. If you ever feel you're in too deep you could always part it out and recoup probably more than you paid for it. Welcome to H-T

 

I understand where you're coming from with this motor needing to last you a month (I'm unsure whether you want it to last you a month right now or after you fix it up a little bit).

Nontheless, it seems to me that your best bet since you've never taken one apart before (I haven't either), would be to find an D16A6 or another motor for really cheap (less than $500 bones) and swap it in for the time being.

That would save you from having to dig into the motor and start messing with things you're probably gonna screw up (not disrespecting you, but I'm just saying if you're anything like me, you learn by making a couple of mistakes).

Good luck

 

If this is your first rebuild, and you want it back together by next week, and you are as far as getting the valve cover off, stop. Save yourself a TON of time and head aches and purchase a used D16 or D15, IF you need to be driving the car.

I say this not to be rude, but because I am in the middle of my own first rebuild (just finished the head), and with my work and home life, it takes some time if you cant just do everything at once. Your better off to purchase a motor and put it in, and take your time learning how to rebuild the motor you have. This will mean that once you are done your own rebuild, you still have had a car to drive, and you now have a minty fresh brand spankn’ new motor to drop in to your ride. You can then sell the motor you purchased in the meantime to someone else looking to do the same thing.

I am sure you have places around you that will sell motors, most cities do. Expect to pay 450 for a motor with a warranty. Drop it in and your good to go.

 

nice choice. its weird, ive been seeing lots of pictures of sedans in the snow lately. hhahaa.

 

It would be best to rebuild over buying a motor if u know how to do it or can find some one to do it cheap or free and have it all hot tanked for nice results. Crank set and rings and all the bearings new oil pump and waterpump should take care of it.
And the gasket kit for the motor.