91 Lude Engine Advice needed. - Honda Prelude Forum

kduquett · 09-03-2007, 09:39 PM

Hi, I just purchased a 91 Lude SR with a 2.1 B21A1 engine. Apparenly the top end has been rebuilt as the timing belt went and took some rods with it.

The previous owner told me he drove it for 4,000 kms and noticed a knocking one morning. he dropped the oil pand and said the 2nd connecting rod bearing seemed to have some play. He replaced the bearing, but just tightened the bolts up as he didn't have a torque wrench. He also said some other piece that runs the length of the crank was tighted up without torquing it. The oil pan was then put on.

He started the engine, and he said it sounded "tight" (I'm not exactly sure what that means???), and it was leaking oil. He got pissed off and parked it. I figured I would have to pull the engine, but he said you can get at the bottom end easily without pulling it out.

I'm not a mechanic, but have a fairly good understanding of engines, although I've never rebuilt one.

I plan to use a dolly to take the car to a shop where I can work on it. This place has a hoist.

Question: I plan not to start the car as I'm afraid if he tighted things up to tight there's a chance it may damage the crank (tell me if I'm wrong in this assumption). I plan to remove the oil pan and have a look.

Can somemone advise, based on the above, what I should be looking for?

Sorry for the sketchy details, but that is all I have to go on.

Thx....................kd

sappysport215 · 09-18-2007, 12:01 PM

dude, just drop a h22 engine in there and call it a day...!

kduquett · 09-18-2007, 09:46 PM

Does an H22 just drop in a 91?

thx.........kd

Team123luder · 09-21-2007, 09:15 PM

Now it does...

<---- has an H22 3GP

marcucci · 09-23-2007, 06:18 AM

It doens't just "drop in", it takes a lot of work. It sounds like it would be beyond your means based on what you've stated.

I can tell you that the previous owner is lucky the engine didn't crater soon after the work. That engine will need to be rebuilt, or you can find a replacement from any number of salvage yards or JDM engine suppliers. JDM might be tough as you would be wanting the more rare "Si States" motor that wasn't sold much there. You would have better luck finding a motor from the US. I'm assuming you are in Canada with an SR, the Cd dollar is very strong compared to the USD now, you should be able to get a motor sent to you dirt cheap, if you can get it through customs without much of a hassle.

no matter what, you will need to find a good shop to do the work for you, someone you can trust. There is an outside chance that you could do this yourself though I would definitely hook up with a board member near you that has done a swap before if you attempt it yourself. You can always rebuild your motor but it will get pricey as you likely will need a new crank and at least one rod, full set of bearings, pistons, etc., etc.

Team123luder · 09-23-2007, 12:55 PM

Why doesn't it drop right in?

You can use stock accord axles, plug in play engine/coversion harness (RyWire) swap mounts(AZ race) and the exhaust bolts up.....

Why isn't it a drop in setup?

edit: you don't want the SiStates motor, it's a B21A, which came with FRM sleeves as well and at which point will bring you back to square one.

You're better off rebuilding your engine or getting a JDM B20A as the Iron sleeves are great and 142bhp is fine with me. Though it's not a drop in affair, you have to use your existing intake and exhaust manifolds.