The D16B2 in my '90 Civic wagon is showing all the symptoms of a blown headgasket. The idle is funny on startup, needle on temp. gauge goes to 3/4 during normal driving(overheating), and I noticed white smoke out of exhaust once. Engine has 160K plus miles and already burns oil due to worn rings.

Should I:
A. Just replace headgasket.
B. Replace with a cheap used motor.
C. Have head resurfaced and then change headgasket.

As you can see the choices go from cheap to expensive from some of the prices I have gotten. I'm trying not ot spend awhole lot of money but I'd like to not have to worry about the motor later on.

Thanx for any suggestions.

 

If it burns oil and coolant.. and for that age of an motor you have 2 choices.

1. you can rebuild the motor so you know that its going to last for years to come

2. you can get a USED motor but who knows how long its gonna last, esp if your trying to get the same OBD0 car.

 

I would recommend pulling the head, taking it to a machine shop and asking them if the plane is out of spec. If its out of spec then you'll need to decide what its going to cost to have it milled/planed to spec, and the cost of a head gasket, and you'll also want to have them do the valve stem seals and stuff while teh head is in there. They should also check valve guides, and the likeness.

Take what that is all going to cost and then decide if you'd rather just go with a different motor. Some people get away with just replacing the headgasket but I have never liked the idea

 

if ur a cheap ***, just change the headgasket. if u wanna do it the right way, just take head and specs to machine shop as mentioned and check the plane to make sure it hasnt warped. then replace headgasket and be good to go. if u go with a new motor, at least get some kind of warranty. i personally would stick with the motor i know about rather then one that could be worse off and have more probs than your original motor.

 

replace it and move on

 

Anyone else?

Sorry fellas, I just realized this was in the wrong forum.

 

SOHC ZC longblock from hmotorsonline w/ MPFI swap cheap and effective