1988 Accord with A18A1 Engine VIN decode

[parkersnine]

Pulled the engine assuming it was a 2.0 but the machine shop told me its not a 2.0. but the A18A1. I dunno if this was a swap or if it was original.Thought 3RD gen had 2.0 Can anyone decode the vin? 1HGCA6185JA09972 . THX!

[SZfiftyfour]

1- origin- USA
H- Honda
G- Passenger car built in US
CA6- Accord coupe
1- 2dr , manual
8- LXi accord passive seatbelt
5- check digit
J- 1988
A- built in marysville, OH
09972- production sequence

So yes it was swapped, assuming that vin is from the car you got the motor out of.
The A18A engine was in 1984-1987 Honda Preludes in the US. Outside the US, it was available in the 1986-1989 Accords.

[parkersnine]

thx! saltlife.. The air cleaner and exhaust manifold looks same as 2.0 .Is the head the same as the 2.0 and could the block A18A1 be bored out to accept 20 over 2.0 pistons?

[SZfiftyfour]

no idea. Dont know much about them really.

[Civic Accord Honda]

should be able to lol i think its teh same block

[parkersnine]

Any suggestion as to pistons/rings? Was gonna use NPR. Kinda on a shoestring budget ... Local parts store sells Sealed Power either steel or chrome rings...

[russiankid]

There should be a stamp on the block stating what engine you have.

[Demon1024]

right under the bar that goes toward the front of the car on the head that hold the power steering hose. Right next to the tranny


Looks like this but your's might be different

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/127/m_1fe759768330f643faffd5848d21f964.jpg

[markmdz89hatch]

Any suggestion as to pistons/rings? Was gonna use NPR. Kinda on a shoestring budget ... Local parts store sells Sealed Power either steel or chrome rings...

for what it's worth (go ahead guys, flame away) there's a company that's been doing a lot of business on ebay called JIS Engine and it's based in TX. They're very inexpensive, but I used damn near everything from them (main bearings, rod bearings, thrust bearing, rings, and freeze plugs), and so far so good. Granted I have 0 miles on it, but I've started it and revved the piss out of it, and everything appears to be ok. I haven't checked my bearings, but for the rings, I'm not getting any blow-by yet. I'll do a compression check soon enough.

Perhaps I'm swayed by their customer service, which was outstanding. I bought a water pump from them (I don't suggest that) which was a crappy rebuilt pump. I called them and told them it wasn't very good, and had a little problem. They asked for pictures of the problem I identified. I sent them, and they responded to let me know that they would send me a pre-paid return slip, which they did do. Once they received it (which took forever), they called to inform me they got it, and that my credit card was refunded the total cost of the pump (a whopping $25).

[parkersnine]

Yes I ordered a rebuild kit from them thinking I had the 2.0. I called them hoping I would get the pistons and rings to fit. No luck from JIS with the 1.8 NPR pistons and rings. They decided NOT to charge me the 20% restocking fee and will refund that portion of the cost. I just returned them today so hope they credit my account as promised. Agree that their customer service was very good. Hope the parts are that good!