This 2000 EX 4 dr sedan, built in Japan with an F23A1 engine ,has begun to burn oil and may need an overhaul and I am identifying parts sources prior to disassembling the engine. Honda built this model in both the US and in Japan and some engine parts are different. For example both intake and exhaust valves have different Honda part numbers for the Japanese and the US made engine. However, the valve springs and the spring retainers are the same for both engines. How is that possible?
Can the Honda technicians recommend:

1) Sources of OEM/OES intake and exhaust valves other than the dealer. Beck-Arnley, OSVAT & DUKORO all offer aftermarket valves for this engine but I have no experience with engine parts made by Osvat and DUKORO. How reliable are they? (Sealed Power also offers valves but I suspect they will only fit the engine made in the US, not the Japanese made engine.)
2)Sources of OEM/OES pistons and rings other than the dealer. NPR makes a piston and ring set for this engine and I have good experience using NPR parts in the past. Hastings and Beck Arney offer replacement rings. What has been your experience with NPR, Hastings and Beck Arnley rings and pistons?
3) Sources of OEM/OES main and connecting rod bearings. Taiho made the bearings for this Japan made engine; can Honda technicians recommend a source of high quality OEM/OES bearings for this Japan made engine?

OEM gaskets are made by Nippon Reinz are widely available.

 

I've recently found out that the differences between the f22b1 and the f23a5 are very little. Valve clearances for intake and exhaust are the same (both are vtec SOHC engines) on the 2 engines.
Consider this, if you are taking apart your current F23A1, you should measure your cylinder walls for ovalness, and you do that by using a very precise measuring tool. Also, you need to measure your pistons width (top, center, and bottom of the skirts). Only then, you will know if you will need to bore the cylinders or not, and if so, you going to have to get a slightly bigger piston and rings. I'd feel very confortable getting USDM parts for this engine even though it was built in japan.

 

For the sake of clarity would you explain the abbreviation "USDM"?

 

USDM= US domestic market

 

This may come off as naive, but how are you determining the part numbers are different for these items? There's no selection to differentiate on say, HondaAutomotiveParts whether it's manufactured in Japan or not.

I know certain CD chassis Accords were made in Japan but there is not a difference on those either?