bought honda prelude with a h23 engine that had 2 bent valves in cylinder 1 So i got a valve job done and the head resurfaced and 2 new valves. So I put the engine back together and it still had no compression in cylinder 1 and now cylinder 3 only has 60 PSI when cylinder 2, 3 and 4 had160.

When I start the engine it runs really rough and shakes and has 60 PSI in cylinder 1 only when running. Also before I put my head back together I saw that there was some rough marks in the cylinder walls so I honed them out and sand it down a little to make it smooth, would that have something to do with it? Maybe I took too much off so the piston isn't getting a tight fit? Or maybe I was sold the wrong head gasket maybe its for a h22 instead of a h23 I don't know if a h22 head gasket would fit on a h23?

So im thinking that the piston ring is bad or something, anyone have an idea on how much it would cost to get the block rebuilt with new pistons or have any ideas?

I tried putting oil in the cylinder to see if maybe it had a stuck piston ring but it didn't do anything

Also thought maybe the timing was off by a tooth or something but the timing is perfect.

 

Sounds like someone did some shitty work for you. No compression in cyl 1 with new valves, that is most likly lower block related issues. Cylinder 3 with only 3 psi? That sounds like crappy work to me. Its pos that whoever did your work, didnt do a good job on resurfacing the head.

There is to many mabeys, and what if's here. Your most likly going to need a new motor just because of the cylinder 1, no matter if the guy you paid to fix your head effed it up.

New reliable motor=1200.
Pulling apart block and rehoning and putting new rings in, and 50/50 chance it stays reliable= ???

 

well first try to pour a table spoon of motor oil down the spark plug hole, then do a compression test, if the psi numbers raise quite a bit, then you most likely have fubared cylinder walls/piston ring failure...btw this is called a "wet compression test"

the head gaskets are different, majestic honda shows different part numbers, but im fairly sure that your engine would still hold compression because the cylinder diameter is the same on the h23 and h22. And if the head gasket was to blame then it would most likly have a low compression on all 4 cyls. but it could still be the problem

you could also take the head off and make sure the new valves arent sticking or something

also a bent rod could be the culprit,

but my bet is on the damaged cylinder wall

 

Well I really don't want to buy another engine becuase I already put too much money/time into this but I'd probly be better off.. Idk.. But I already tried a wet compression test and cylinder 1 and 3 never moved so the only thing could be something with the cylinders? Anyone know how much Im looking at to rebuild the block? Also I was thinking maybe I should take my head to a shop and have them test just the head to make sure I didn't get crappy head work done..

Also was thinking if I were to buy a new engine I want to get a h22 , would I have to buy new engine mounts, new wire harness and ECU and ****? or is the h23 and h22 somewhat simular?

Any suggestions or comments MUCH APPRECIATED! PLEASE HELP

 

Here is a general overview of what you can replace when doing a h23-h22 swap.

 

Hold on a sec...am I reading this right? See my comments below.

Do you have a compression tester on cylinder #1 with the engine running?

Are you saying that you used some sandpaper or something similar on the cylinder walls? If so, that's likely your problem, and the engine will need to be overbored and honed for oversized pistons.

It depends on what your replace and who is doing the labor. There are really too many variables. How many miles are on the car? What kind of headwork did you already have done? Are you planning to R&R the engine yourself?