metal of the SI block? - Honda Prelude Forum

VTluda · 12-21-2004, 03:31 PM

What metal is the block made of? I have a chance to buy an engine for a good price. But, it was in a wreck and on the block where the motor mounts are, are broken. So would it be possible to weld it back somehow?

Chad

trident · 12-21-2004, 05:26 PM

I wouldn't bother... blocks are cheap, and you can get them pretty easily. Your in B'burg, so you can talk to Import Auto Salvage in Salem. I've always gotten hooked up there.

VTluda · 12-21-2004, 05:48 PM

yea the problem is that i need the whole engine.....my valves are bent also. You know of anyone?

Chad

UWNTSUM · 12-21-2004, 06:52 PM

block should be made of aluminum.

VTluda · 12-21-2004, 07:15 PM

i heard it was cast iron, is this true?

Chad

4thGenReady2Go · 12-21-2004, 10:28 PM

^^ no, as uwntsum said, it's aluminum, as is the head. I remember this, amongst other reasons, because I had a rather humorous discussion a long time ago with my dad about why head gaskets would fail so often on domestics with cast blocks and aluminum heads, and specifically being told of how one metal expands and contracts at different rates than the other.

VTluda · 12-22-2004, 10:09 AM

im still looking for another engine but, would you be able to weld this or is there a kit for it or something?

Chad

UWNTSUM · 12-22-2004, 11:17 AM

should be able to weld... not sure how strong it would be afterwards... if the motor ur gettin is that cheap, i think i mite have saw it online for sale somewhere for like $300, i'd buy it, keep the head, strip the bottom end down and look for a bare block then re-assemble. The complete head alone is worth over $500.

VTluda · 12-22-2004, 12:06 PM

where did you see that online?

fleshbox · 12-22-2004, 01:42 PM

I think that welding the mounts onto the block would be entirely possible, but I would want to find a very very good welder to do the job for me.

I don't think I could do it personally, drive with that...

TruNinja619 · 12-22-2004, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTluda

i heard it was cast iron, is this true?

Chad

nope.. its aluminum...

cast iron freakin heavy... lol

95PreludeSi · 12-23-2004, 06:18 AM

From what I've heard Preludes and Accords (F & H series) have cast iron blocks, and Civics and Integras (D & B) have aluminum blocks.

GaRn · 12-23-2004, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95PreludeSi

From what I've heard Preludes and Accords (F & H series) have cast iron blocks, and Civics and Integras (D & B) have aluminum blocks.

It's an aluminum block/head! you own your car and don't even know that?!?!?!?

fleshbox · 12-23-2004, 11:52 AM

How long has it been since honda used a cast iron block??

cantdrive55 · 12-23-2004, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95PreludeSi

From what I've heard Preludes and Accords (F & H series) have cast iron blocks, and Civics and Integras (D & B) have aluminum blocks.

Wrong. Lots of cars use iron sleeves, not sure if Preludes do, but the Blocks are absolutely aluminum.

toofastprelude · 12-24-2004, 10:30 AM

sleeves head and block are aluminum. though would be nice if we had cast sleeves. a cracked or broken motor mount tab you should junk the block.

marcucci · 12-25-2004, 03:20 PM

Honda hasn't made a cast iron block since I've been working on them which would be 1988+. I'm not sure they ever have at all- at least in autos. They have always been ahead of the curve as far as technology goes.

The H22A uses FRM, not sure about other F and H motors. I am pretty sure the F and other blocks use ductile iron or some other variant.

Buy a junk block. You can patch yours but it's just not worth it. You can buy a bottom end in good shape for cheap and have a few extra parts.