Recently purchased a b16 to use to build my b20 hatch into a b20 vtec car, however when I was looking at it I noticed the block is stamped B16b. Guy says that's how the specific b16as were stamped when sold here or something, I have no idea what he meant. Anyway, do I have a B16b? Or is it a B16A that someone falsely stamped or something? Tried doing some research on this but couldn't find anything pertaining to B16A motor stamped as b16b. I got this motor for a good price, not seized or anything, decent condition. Doubt someone would try and down sell a B16b by labeling it is a B16A. Last I checked there's only one B16b and that's the type R motor, so anyone know of any "B16A motors that came stamped as b16b" ?

 

No B16A engines were stamped as B16B's. Some details that will identify a B16B block from the outside would be an oil pan stamped "P72" and the block height would be just a few thousandths taller than your B20 block (measure from the oil pan to the head gasket). If you can dig a little deeper, the pistons would have huge dome tops and are stamped "PCT" on them and the timing belt would be labeled "P72". A true B16B would have an ITR/CTR type intake manifold and a large throttle body.

 

Currently keeping the motor at a friend's, but yeah I just wonder why he would sell and claim a motor to be a B16A and not a B16b if it's B16b, I feel like if it was falsely stamped he would've mentioned it, or maybe the guy was genuinely just ignorant, or hell maybe I sadly picked up a chop shop motor. But I'll take your advice next time I see the motor and figure out what it really is, thank you for the response!

 

Probably just an idiot

Looks like you scored a CTR engine

 

You can't even fit B16a rods or B18 rods inside of a B16B, so the argument "it has B16a internals" or whatever can't even really be made.

 

You know, a B16B "Stroker" kit might include an 89mm stroke crankshaft and a set of B18B rods... so it IS possible to use B18B rods, just NOT with the stock B16B crankshaft.

 

Correct/true, was posting with the assumption it was a mostly stock engine with the existing B16 crank.

You can mix and match these engines like legos lol. In any case, there's no real reason why the engine would be stamped as B16B unless it was a B16B.

 

Absolutely Correct.

 

B16B= CTR

I once scored a real low mile CTR trans and i hate that i sold it when hard times hit!

 

For anyone interested I was able to make the drive down to my buddy's and get a picture or two of the motor to help with identification.


Currently has no cams, and there's the B16b stamp with no Vin below it, seems suspicious but then again I am young, somewhat dumb, and inexperienced

 

That's unfortunate because the B16B cams (and 98+ spec ITR cams) are the best OEM B series camshafts and part of what gives these engines value.

Does the head have dual valve springs?

 

So I suggested a block measurement and a stamping on the oil pan as ways to help identify a true B16B... and you offered up neither a photo of the oil pan nor a comparative measurement of the block height of your B20 and the B16 block...

Very suspicious... I have never seen an unmodified Honda "B" series block without a seven digit number below the engine identifier code. I have seen block identifier "plates" removed from one block and JB Welded to another... and I have seen a plate sanded smooth and re-stamped as well.

No cams inside is a big deal... a big part of the value of a B16B is missing. I would say "run from it" unless you are sure it isn't stolen and it is a SUPER cheap price.

 

The stamp doesnt look right
the 1 is angled and the numbers are spaced out more than normal

I think something sketchy is going on

 

I agree.. stamp looks fake, i posted a pic of a B16B . It looks like they grinded it flat and stamped it themselves, the first B looks different than the other B and the serial number is missing under. The vin is not present because its a JDM engine and they dont come with Vinn plates.

 

Sorry I wasn't able to get the info you suggested, was with it for a split second before your reply and just took a few quick photos as I didn't have a lot of time to take a closer look at the motor. Will try and get my buddy to get some of the info from it that you said to

 

This is promising

 

No apology necessary... just trying to help.

Some additional info to help identify a B16B compared to a B16A with that you have pictured: A B16B has dual valve springs on both the intake and exhaust sides, a B16A only has dual valve springs on the intake side. The B16B Intake valves have a "Pro Flow" valve design, which is distinctively thinner close to the valve face on the shaft. Also, the bowl (short turn radius closest to the valve face inside the intake and exhaust runners) is hand ported and appears much smoother than the raw casting area around it.