Fixedit
05-19-2015, 08:24 AM
As some may have seen, earlier I asked about swapping an '89 A20A3 cylinder head onto an '86 BT block. Sunday afternoon through very early Monday morning I did so swap on my '86 LXi. I actually had to finish it up Monday night after work but it's done, and although still working things out, I'm happy.
Just after removing head & intake;
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183330102_zps73r6ntoy.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183330102_zps73r6ntoy.jpg.html)
Gasket doesn't really look that bad
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183336582_zpsokoa5oef.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183336582_zpsokoa5oef.jpg.html)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183345499_zpsvdcfr0zz.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183345499_zpsvdcfr0zz.jpg.html)
Other than coolant entering this cylinder, this is why #3 misses now and then (pitting on the wall)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183740670_HDR_zpsbt6n9bbm.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183740670_HDR_zpsbt6n9bbm.jpg.html)
For comparison, this is Cyl #2
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183748481_HDR_zpsike1udja.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183748481_HDR_zpsike1udja.jpg.html)
Once I'm able to do a rebuild I'll definitely bore it out.
Intake runner for cylinder 3 was the only one with coolant-mixed oil coated inside. Interesting.
Deleted EGR, that went well. It got rid of my EGR code! Bahaha
Runs a bit smoother (I also installed the '89 4-2-1 exhaust). Idles really nice, a little low though. Gonna pull the throttle cable a little more in attempt to fix that. But man is it quiet!
Also, I had no idea about a little tiny coolant hose on the bottom of the intake that connects to the main water pipe, so when I picked up the intake & head combo off the block I ripped the hose off. It has a specific bent shape to it, and replacing it with straight hose caused a kink in the hose. Not sure what it's for, but I don't think it's flowing any more, does anyone know the name of this hose or where I can get it? Otherwise I need to find a pre bent hose for it. So far no leak from it but it doesn't feel right to let it block coolant from wherever it needs to go.
EDIT: Found what I'm talking about, looks like it's a PCV Heater Hose, #16 in this picture - http://www.hondapartswholesaledirect.com/auto-parts/1986/honda/accord-sedan/lxi-trim/4-speed-automatic-engine/engine-cat/water-pump-pgm-fi-scat/?part_number=19210ph1515
Other than that it is, not surprisingly, a straight forward swap (durr). I had the head "rebuilt" (valve job, pressure checked, milled) beforehand. Didn't have any major issues other than that pain in the ass hose under the intake. Definite increase in power, probably only because I actually have all four cylinders now. It was pretty satisfying to finish it up, fill it with fluids, turn the key and have it fire up immediately. Just don't forget to reconnect your MAP sensor (not like I accidentally forgot to connect vacuum hose 21 or anything hehehoha). Oh, and I hope none of you ever have to experience the satisfaction of coming back to 4 normal spark plug holes after living with a jimmirigged thread sleeve for almost a year. I'm happy with the swap.
As of now I'm just tracking down any leaks. Already had to fix one.
Thanks for looking/reading!
Just after removing head & intake;
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183330102_zps73r6ntoy.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183330102_zps73r6ntoy.jpg.html)
Gasket doesn't really look that bad
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183336582_zpsokoa5oef.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183336582_zpsokoa5oef.jpg.html)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183345499_zpsvdcfr0zz.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183345499_zpsvdcfr0zz.jpg.html)
Other than coolant entering this cylinder, this is why #3 misses now and then (pitting on the wall)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183740670_HDR_zpsbt6n9bbm.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183740670_HDR_zpsbt6n9bbm.jpg.html)
For comparison, this is Cyl #2
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/cheesenugget_bucket/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183748481_HDR_zpsike1udja.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/cheesenugget_bucket/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150517_183748481_HDR_zpsike1udja.jpg.html)
Once I'm able to do a rebuild I'll definitely bore it out.
Intake runner for cylinder 3 was the only one with coolant-mixed oil coated inside. Interesting.
Deleted EGR, that went well. It got rid of my EGR code! Bahaha
Runs a bit smoother (I also installed the '89 4-2-1 exhaust). Idles really nice, a little low though. Gonna pull the throttle cable a little more in attempt to fix that. But man is it quiet!
Also, I had no idea about a little tiny coolant hose on the bottom of the intake that connects to the main water pipe, so when I picked up the intake & head combo off the block I ripped the hose off. It has a specific bent shape to it, and replacing it with straight hose caused a kink in the hose. Not sure what it's for, but I don't think it's flowing any more, does anyone know the name of this hose or where I can get it? Otherwise I need to find a pre bent hose for it. So far no leak from it but it doesn't feel right to let it block coolant from wherever it needs to go.
EDIT: Found what I'm talking about, looks like it's a PCV Heater Hose, #16 in this picture - http://www.hondapartswholesaledirect.com/auto-parts/1986/honda/accord-sedan/lxi-trim/4-speed-automatic-engine/engine-cat/water-pump-pgm-fi-scat/?part_number=19210ph1515
Other than that it is, not surprisingly, a straight forward swap (durr). I had the head "rebuilt" (valve job, pressure checked, milled) beforehand. Didn't have any major issues other than that pain in the ass hose under the intake. Definite increase in power, probably only because I actually have all four cylinders now. It was pretty satisfying to finish it up, fill it with fluids, turn the key and have it fire up immediately. Just don't forget to reconnect your MAP sensor (not like I accidentally forgot to connect vacuum hose 21 or anything hehehoha). Oh, and I hope none of you ever have to experience the satisfaction of coming back to 4 normal spark plug holes after living with a jimmirigged thread sleeve for almost a year. I'm happy with the swap.
As of now I'm just tracking down any leaks. Already had to fix one.
Thanks for looking/reading!