Hey guys, I've got an 89 LX sedan, 4 speed automatic, stock D15B2. It's got around 250K on it, so it's getting to the end of its years, and Friday the motor stalls out on my way to work. Wouldn't start up again, engine would fire then sputter and die again.

So I took it to the local mechanic and he says head gasket's blown, as well as massive amounts of oil pooled up in the intake manifold. Basically he said the motor's probably dead, and I believe it. 250K on it, and replacing just the head gasket would probably give me 1,000 more miles before it died on me again.

So now I'm in a bind, I've got around 1,000 bucks to my name currently, and I need this car fixed. I can have the mechanic put in another D15B2 for around that price, or since I was planning on it anyways, I can go ahead and get a ZC and put that in there.

What do you guys think I should do? Can a ZC bolt up to an automatic transmission without a buttload of extra parts needed? I need some advice ASAP. Thanks all.

 

You can usually find a used motor on craigslist for around $300-$500. Look for a D15b7 or a D16a6. Trans should bolt right up

 

get a low mileage zc sohc from a jdm importer and swap it in...only difference in parts would be is that you need a d16a6 timing belt,tensioner and water pump...you can use all other d15b2 parts if you stay dpfi...!!!

 

Hmmm, thought I would need more than just the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump? But that's good news I guess... What's a good JDM importer? I don't wanna end up getting a bunk motor...

 

you can google jdm importers locally in your area...also you would need d16a6 parts if you planned on going mpfi but since your staying dpfi then you would just need the parts that i mentioned earlier...!!!

 

Would I need to get an SOHC ZC from an 88-91 or would an SOHC ZC from a 92 work?

 

both will work...i got a 92 zc sohc in my 91 civic and it took the pm6 timing belt,tensioner and water pump also...i just had to swap the crank pulley from my old d15b2...!!!

 

Sooo I ended up saying screw it and now I'm buying a very nice '97 Civic EX for 3 grand. A little more spendy than I wanna be but I know it works, and it's definitely a nice car.