I was going to part out a 99 Accord LX 5-speed MT with 230K since cylinder 3 has died (rings most likely). Even though we've placed a fair number of parts in the past few years (except for suspension bushings which REALLY needed it) and body is in decent shape, it doesn't make sense to me to rebuild the engine myself (nor do I have an engine lift or heated garage).

My son was driving the spare Civic in the interim but that just got totaled last night so he's without a vehicle. So I was looking into replacing the engine in the Accord to get him going again with least amount of cash, but I would MUCH rather drop in a "new" engine. I really don't want to buy a used one with unknown issues since something could be wrong with a low mileage one even if it "runs". Ours still "runs", too. I think a warranty would not be worth much either given shipping costs to return. However, I'm not finding any "new" engines. Jasper doesn't seem to make them anymore. Is there really not a market anymore for rebuilding engines like there is for trannys?

 

Not sure if anyone has rebuilt ones sitting on a shelf anywhere. Usually rebuilt heads and transmissions. Here is a link to a new one; https://www.bernardiparts.com/Honda-...2-PJK-A24.aspx

 

The cost difference is huge, which is why someone will rebuild you an engine for the Honda, but you aren't going to find a new one. A rebuild will cost a few thousand dollars easily plus installation. You can get a replacement for anywhere from $125 (high mileage picked from a local yard, no warranty) to about $800 for a long warranty. These are not cars which people love adore and buy aftermarket engines for. Use and throw away usually. Or cheaply rebuild.
Example of JDM low mileage engine is here with a short warranty:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-HONDA-A...oAAOSwsYdd6Fnz
You can see they are complete with spark plugs and such to at least start it up.

You can get a used "low mileage" JDM motor for $600 generally with chipping included. Many on here have done down that path, myself in included (my original died at about 170,000 miles as well). And, I think the other reason is that installing in a replacement engine is redious but doesn't require a high degree of skill, certainly patience though. We just talked someone through installing their first engine with their brother and they did it in a few days. The tools needed are:

engine hoist (probably the most expensive item needed, but you can find them used and you might get lucky and borrow one from a friend or neighbor).
sockets - 8mm-19mm , with the majority being 10,12,14,17mm for items. You will also need one big 36mm socket you will have to get at something like a Harbor Freight to get the axle nuts off
Impact gun (doesn't need anything outrageous and not absolutely necessary, but you will find it helpful for getting off those axle nuts, I bought a cheap electric impact and it worked fine )
screwdrivers
jackstands and jack

the real thing to remember with a JDM is it came from Japan, so you simply take off all the Japanese specific items and throw them away, and put your pieces back on. These are things like:
uppert intake manifold
exhaust manifold
any sensor that looks different
put on any sensors missing (in my case the knock sensor was missing so I just re-used mine

For peace of mind, I would also replace the gaskets that are easy to get to such as the oil pan, axel seals, valve cover, VTEC items (usually on the back of the intake manifold and harder to get to easily), then drain and replace fluids. Finally, I would also replace all the engine mounts while it's out since the back one is hard to do normally. You don't have to do any of these things, but the engine has been sitting and items could be dried out.

Then to do the replacement you first need to remove all the sensors, you will find that starting on the drivers side and working your way around it's just one long string of sensor tied together, just keep disconnecting them until you get to the fuel rail, which you will also disconnect and remove.

Then you will disconnect the motor mounts, and start hooking up the hoist as it starts to let go. disconnect the steering.

disconnect the axles, then pull them out of the way

I pulled mine out with the transmission to make it easier for me, but you don't have to, just depends on how you like to do this.


I'll post a link walking through it a bit more, others might have better docs, but this should help.

 

here's the link to when I did it.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...thers-3345715/

Here's the link to someone who just did it this last week:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-.../#post52361254

 

@bonesmanjoe is the second link and might be able to also give some tips since it's more recent for him.

 

Out of curiosity, why are engines from Japan so popular here? Are they not allowed to part out cars? There's certainly a gazillion of US ones already here. I assume a JDM F23A (without a number on the end) is equivalent to the US F23A1 more than the 4 which is CA only?

I think hardest part will getting the driveshafts out if they are like the Civic, which I had in a shop for some work and they couldn't get them loose.

Thank you for the advice and tips! If we go that route, it will be very helpful though I'm hoping to still avoid this. Engines like this one make me wary even with 60 days. It's only a couple hours away but who parts out a car with NO visible damage unless the engine is shot?

 

So the reason there are so many is the Japanese emission is more stringent than the US in many regards. Often they have to meet the current emissions standard and are treated like a brand new car, meaning nothing can leak, not from anything, effectively the car must be perfect. Forget modifying the car generally for any reason. So, often after only 4-5 years or about 60,000 miles, the cars get turned in and no one goes around buying used cars. So, because the engines are still good (along with other parts), they strip them down and sell them elsewhere, inclduing the US.

I can understand your trepidation, which is why I was sharing my experience, and others probably can as well. I've run 20,000 miles through my JDM replacement engine without a worry, passed emission twice with it with flying colors. A lot of these cars in the US also get trashed from engines and rust or a car accident, so people take the parts that are still good like the engine. In my case, much like yours, the body is fine, the suspension is fine, just needed the engine.

At this age, some people part the cars out because you get more money for the parts than the car. The link you selected is a recycler, he is just getting them at auctions and tearing them apart. He probably got the whole car for $300.

Which is also why if you really don't want to go down the path, I would just pick up another Honda Accord for a few thousand and be done with it. The cost of a new engine and someone else installing it is the same as just picking up another one and driving it.

Personally I wouldn't worry, there are at least hundreds of people who have done this swap, if not more. Again, if it were me I would not pick the engine you selected there because its' 150,000 miles and you can get one for $600 with about 50-60,000 miles.

The axle/driveshafts will be the most difficult if you don't use an impact, however you can do it with a super long breaker bar, and if anyone has changed the axle before or done the seals, it's probably easier than you think to get off. The hardest thing to get off on the entire car is the crank pully, but you won't be touching that in this case, that is extremely hard to break free. But the axle/driveshaft nut can be done with a long breaker bar if you have to. But a $99 impact will get it off easily. The socket might be challenging to find, but that's it.

Good luck.

 

Interestingly, the reason I had purchased this 99 Accord (new) was the 90 Accord I had with 170K on it sheared off the crankshaft pulley bolt without any warning signs while I was cruising down the highway. I had never heard of such a thing happening. Still haven't noticed anyone else claim such a thing though I haven't looked.

I've had a reprieve! My parents will allow him to borrow their extra Jeep for a while.

He may still choose this route eventually since I know he loved the 5-sp Accord.