I've posted this question on another Honda forum but want to get the advice of this forum before spending my hard earned money.

I have a 2008 Accord (4 door, manual tranny) with 180,000 miles on it; it has the dreaded VTC knock/rattle on start up and excessive oil consumption. The car does not blow smoke on start up but I can see the carbon build up on the the exhaust tip. I am burning 1 quart every 1000 miles and regardless of what the dealer say, this is too much for me.

I am thinking of buying a used engine from JDM, eBay, or local source but instead of slapping it in there and calling it a day, I figure that while the used engine is not in the car, I can replace the VTC actuator and install new pistons and rings.

If I were to install new VTC, rings, and pistons, are there other parts that need to be replaced while the engine is out?

Thanks for your time.

In search of my next cold one,

NearBeer

 

head gasket, valve clearances, valve cover gasket, other than that there isn't really much to replace if everything else is in good operating conditions.