I just dropped off the block at the machine shop to get cleaned, checked over, and honed.

He asked me what it was, I told him "it's a dohc zc 1.6L, it's a jdm motor that was not sold here in the US. The cylinder/bore specs should be the same as a d16a1."

Am I correct in telling him this? Are the specs the same? He won't get to my block for a couple days, so I can still let him know before they do anything.

Also, I have a set of JIS bearings that I am planning on installing on the block. Does anyone have experience with them? Are they ok?

I've already decided that it's not a good idea to use the JIS head gasket. I guess I will go with a Honda gasket, but for what car should I buy? 89 integra? or is there another vehicle that has an interchangeable HG that's metal or thinner? What's the best one for most importantly longevity, and secondly a bit of a compression boost.

 

jilcrx I believe is his name, is the zc guru, wait for him to chime in.

 

i hope he chimes in soon in case i told the man the wrong thing

 

It is essentially the same thing as an A1 but more importantly the bore size is the same across all 88-05 SOHC D-series and 86-89 Integra DOHC D-series. Having said that, if it isn't 75mm +/- whatever the tolerance is then he/she will recommend overboring it. At this point it's up to you to get the oversized piston of your choosing and then the cylinders will (or at least should) be matched to the physical piston you get. That way the clearances will be as close to the set tolerance as possible.

For the headgasket the stateside equivalent would be for an 89 Integra engine.

 

I've gotten the whole rebuild kit from JIS, it includes all gaskets and seals and bearings. I've already done the head with the JIS stuff, now do you guys think the bearings and stuff from JIS will be ok? Anybody have experience with their head gaskets? I have one, but I'm reluctant to use it.

If the JIS one is no good, what do you guys recommend? I know stock Honda HG is always good, but what else is out there and what are the advantages to different makes?

 

Yeah jlicrx is the ZC expert. If you can't find him here try www.thezcr.com a site specifically for ZCs.

When I did my DOHC ZC, I left the bottom end alone. When I removed the head, you could still see the factory cross-hatching. Sent the head out and replaced everything made of rubber. I bought a "Top end gasket set" and the "Bottom end gasket set" from Honda (actually Acura). I just told them it was for an 89 Integra. It includes all the seals gaskets, and o-rings (including a head gasket) you need to rebuild the engine.

 

Yeah, when I started working on the motor, an old guy (machinist, but not the one who has the block now) told me to leave the block alone, they don't go bad. I'm wishing I listened to the man now. This has become a money pit. It'd better be worth it. AND because i've invested so much money into it already, I kinda don't want to put cheap crap on it, hence questioning the JIS quality.

I suppose once I'm done, i'll have a nice little motor that should last quite a long time.

I have a question - it's a little confusing. I have the 3rd gen dohc zc. Is that the one that has about 130hp? or the one that has less? It's so confusing, these motors all being called "zc".

 

3rd gen black top - distinguishable by the black valvecover but the dead giveaway is that the bolts holding it down go around the perimeter of the valvecover itself with one in the middle and the "H" logo is on the exhaust side.

 

yes, I realize I have a 3rd gen, I was wondering if the 3rd gen is the one with 130hp or the one with 118hp?

 

Yes...I thought that was a given. Most of the dedicated ZC sites say that the 3rd gen DOHC ZC is the one you want because #1 it drops right in and #2 has the most power in stock form (there's a discrepency from website to website on what the actual output is but generally 130hp is the accepted norm).

 

Got a question. I just took the rings off the pistons and was getting ready to put the new rings on.

what is the HF1, HF3, and HF4 that is on the piston adjacent to the PM7? And why do I have a HF1, two HF3s, and a HF4? Should one of those HF3's be an HF2???

 

I just called up my acura dealership and asked for an 89 integra head gasket - "they don't make them anymore". So where can I get a Honda gasket?!?!?!

 

anybody??

 

advance auto parts or auto zone if they dont have it idk what to tell you, it wont be honda brand though from them, google it i guess. good luck

 

yeah... I'm looking for a good one. One that will last. I am being told the Honda ones are the best. Anyways, I've looked on the Advance web site before, and it lists like 20 of them all for different prices and they're different materials and different combinations of materials and crap. I just want a good one!!!! I had an "evergreen" one that came with my gasket and rebuild kit that I bought off of ebay, but I don't trust it.