Honda Prelude
1999
157k
5spd base model

During my spring break im planning on pulling my motor and doing a little work to help make this car run for plenty of miles more. So if I can get a little bit of advice on what else to check and look for, please let me know.

<U>This is what I have so far................</U>

I have to change my clutch, so that is one thing that is being changed.

I plan on changing my head gasket b/c I noticed that I had oil building o up on the tranny. I'm assuming this will probably solve that oil problem

Since the head will be off it might be in my best interest to check the c cylinder walls for a possible chance to do a honing job.

Im also going to plan on checking the whole valvetrain and clearances t t to make sure everything is up to spec.

If anybody has any advice on my mini overhaul or anything else I should be checking/changing since the motor is out or even anything else that should be changed/checked on the car itself..... by all means please let me know.

Also, if people can post some very good links that can help me as far as a DIY installation guide to tips on what to check and where to check in addition to the information I gathered already.

This is going to be my first time pulling my motor out and opening it so if you have any tips as far as preparing myself or anything as far as special tools I will be needing please let me know

Thank you very much

 

oil on top of your tranny housing can be as simple as the distributor O-ring... check that first

 

Will do thanks.

Keep the info coming


Thank you

 

Ya if you had a bad head gasket, you'd be having way more problems then just oil on tranny housing

 

well, if you're pulling it...

BUY A HELM'S MANUAL. has any and all specs and info on our cars, front to back. it will help immensely.

you want to concentrate on doing the work that is best with the motor removed from car, which will mainly be block work. head work can usually be done with motor inside the car.

so, with that said, here is a simple list for basic block work:
-replace all your bearings, making sure you plastigauge for proper clearances.
-new oil pump
-new water pump
-new timing belt
-all new oil seals
-new head gasket
-and since you're replacing your clutch, look at a new flywheel, or at least get your current flywheel machined.

i wouldn't bother honing unless you are going to install new rings. and, since you have the block open anyway, that's what i'd do. but get it checked by a professional to make sure the bores are within spec, because if not you will definitely need a bore/hone and oversize pistons.



Modified by xxmastermindxx at 11:42 PM 2/21/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xxmastermindxx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well, if you're pulling it...

BUY A HELM'S MANUAL. has any and all specs and info on our cars, front to back. it will help immensely.

-replace all your bearings, making sure you plastigauge for proper clearances.
-new oil pump
-new water pump
-new timing belt
-all new oil seals
-new head gasket
-and since you're replacing your clutch, look at a new flywheel, or at least get your current flywheel machined.

Modified by xxmastermindxx at 11:42 PM 2/21/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was waiting for someone to mention the HELM's manual. I have it on PDF. But where can I buy the actual book for a good price.

As for the things mentioned, how often are they supposed to be changed. I only ask this because maybe it has been changed already.

 

oil building up on the trans is not the headgasket, probably distributor oring or valve cover,

 

honestly pulling the engine does not sound like it is needed. just do the clutch, the rear main seal, the valve cover gasket, distributor o-ring, maybe vtec gasket, cam plug and then take a look at the distributor cap and rotor, as well as plugs and check your wires.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by v4lu3s &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">honestly pulling the engine does not sound like it is needed. just do the clutch, the rear main seal, the valve cover gasket, distributor o-ring, maybe vtec gasket, cam plug and then take a look at the distributor cap and rotor, as well as plugs and check your wires. </TD></TR></TABLE>

agreed

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ziptie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

agreed </TD></TR></TABLE>

X2. I had the O-ring go and oil was on the bottom of my distributor and on the top of the tranny. blame that for my distributor going bad last summer...

 

that leak usually isnt from the dist. but from the cam end seal wearing out.

 

How often is the dizzy supposed to be changed.

Im going to search now, but if anybody has a link handy for a DIY dizzy install that would be great.

As for the dizzy and/or cam seal they shouldn't be to hard to change right?
Im going to look at the helms in a min.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by v4lu3s &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">honestly pulling the engine does not sound like it is needed. just do the clutch, <U>the rear main seal</U>, the valve cover gasket, distributor o-ring, maybe vtec gasket, cam plug and then take a look at the distributor cap and rotor, as well as plugs and check your wires. </TD></TR></TABLE>


I know I may sound like an idiot, but i gotta ask b/c I just gotta know. Where exactly is the rear main seal. What exactly is it? What's the seal for


Thank you

 

Did some research and Im guessing your talking about about the Crankshaft oil seal.


Thanks

 

The real main seal is behind the fly wheel. basically you pull off the flywheel and there is a seal around the crankshaft where the flywheel bolts to. Thats your rear main seal.

 

Might want to change the fuel filter while the engine is out.