Buddy has a 2005 2 door civic with around 120,000 miles. I could pull vin numbers, I'm sure you guys know more-- it's a 4cyl engine, single overhead cam, vtec (how does that work with one cam?).

He left the radiator cap off and it blew a headgasket, possibly more. As the shop's quotes kept going up and up ($1400 for headgasket, unless it needs valve work/ rings... we don't know yet... or $2800 for a junkyard engine), we figured we'd just pick up the same junkyard engine ourselves and drop it in ourselves, too. $1200 for engine, we're budgeting another $500 in tools parts fudge factor for fubared stuff etc (need an engine hoist, for example)


SO!
While the whole engine is out, what kind of preventative maintenance should we do?
Junkyard says it's a 2002 engine with 61,000 miles. Dunno if they're honest about mileage. They also say compression is around 210 on each cylinder (normal range?).

I'm thinking:
timing belt,
water pump,
timing belt tensioner (is there one?)
gasket for timing belt cover.
spark plugs
drive pulleys, and tensioner(s) for them.
new radiator hoses just because (hey, it's been 9 years)
intake and header gaskets

clean throttle body;
have intake get a steam bath?
*maybe* do oil pan and valve cover gaskets? possibly not.


Am I missing anything?
Am I suggesting anything not worth doing?
I presume you would not go so far as to preemptively do a headgasket on the junkyard engine... or would you?

Ordering parts by tomorrow night! We're going to pull the old one out sunday/monday, and want the new one ready to plop in by wedn/thurs.


thanks!
-Bernard

 

if the drive pulleys are spining ok without any noizes, i dont believe they sould be replaced

oil pan yes, its easy and cheap to clean, and of course new oil filter

if the compression is 210 it is ok, but then you sould test it again after the job done.

try to get some milles warranty to the new engine.

 

I doubt the timing cover gasket needs to be replaced, its just a dust shield anyway nothing too vital.

something that you should consider though Is the crank and cam seals, they're sorta common for leaks and really can only be done while the timing belt water pump is being done. Rear main seal perhaps too?

 

if there is not a visual leak, the crank and cam seals souldnt be replaved its unecesary

 

hah, which is it? rear and main seals or no?
The 'new' engine is 12 years old, and rubber degrades, so maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea.

worth doing any bearings or would I be opening a cam of worms that's best untouched if it ain't broke?

oops, I didn't mean drive pulleys (it was late)-- i meant drive belts. yeah, new pulleys would be silly.

 

I'd do all of the seals while it was out! It would be way easier than when it is in the bay
Good luck

 

$1400 for head work? $1200 or 2800 for a junkyard engine?

www.jdmenginescorp.com or any other JDM importer can get you a compatible longblock for probably around $600-800

 

did my buddy get screwed on price? 61k miles?

 

If he's happy then it's not a big deal. Newer JDM swaps probably have lower than 61k miles. Anywhere between 20k and 70k is normal. Again...I'm pretty sure the compatible JDM motor is like $600-800ish.

now you know for the next time.

 

clutch.
flywheel check/resurface if needed
trans shaft seal
slave clutch