Hi, I've posted here before but lost my login info. I'm new, but not newbie swabsprout mcgreenhorn. So I've posted problems here before about my 89 Civic DX SE, blown head gasket, speratic idle, water pumps, timing belts, BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. After all of this, the car was smoking and burning oil (PISTON RINGS) AND still had oil seeping into the coolant somehow.So here I am again. I have a hard time calling a civic a civic when it has some crazy unoriginal bseries or dseries motor in it. I like the gas mileage on my car too, so Im installing a purchased 45k mile d15bmotor to put back in it.

Here's my problem; I'm running low on cash, still have to insure, tag, and title the car. I need to know if I can get the original engine out, without a hoist. I've thought about dropping it on the floor from the bottom, and I've thought about chaining the engine to my garage ceiling floor-joists and devising a way (maybe drop the car from around the engine off of the jackstands)to lift it out that way. I guess that I am asking if anyone has had to do this type of thing before? Please remember, time and money are of the esscence as I'm sure most of you know. I'm bascially looking for a safe and cheap way to extract the engine (d15b1)from a 1989 Honda Civic DX Sedan WITHOUT A HOIST. Thanks in advance for any help rendered.

 

Put a jack under the engine, drop the trans, remove the head, and you should be able to lift the shortblock out with 2 people. Putting the new engine in without a lift will be more difficult.

 

Renting an engine hoist isn't very expensive, and chaining your engine to the ceiling is a really, really bad idea. You wanna do it safely, cheaply, and easily...just rent a hoist.

 

Well, this helps me with my being productive issue. Will give me something to do until I can get some cash for the lift or figure something out to getthe other motorback in.

 

Okay, did the research. I shouldn't have even really posted in this forum I guess. I was assuming rental of an engine hoist would be rediculous. It's actually only $24 for the day, and if I rent on saturday, I get it until Monday morning at 9am (SWEET, RIGHT?). Now I just have to make sure they accept CASH and not just a damn credit card. Now I could just use any good tips on getting the engine out. Also, due to this motor being a Japanese motor that I am putting in, I have to swap the intake and exhaust manifolds from the old american model motor.

The old engine was in a horrific oil burning episode. I just recently found out that I had oil in my intakeduct from the air filter and also inthe intake itself (where fuel is introduced and air is taken in, at the actual butterflyvalve itself.)?!?!?!?

Any recommendations on solvents for cleaning the intake? Also, any recommendations for cleaning the o2 sensor and exhaust manifold? I'm going to replace the cat, i'm sure it's nasty also.

 

Don't worry about the oil in the intake it will clear itself out. The exhaust is probably OK as well. Once you start the new engine it will get hot and burn off any oil. If you weren't getting a CEL on the old engine the O2 sensor is still alright, don't attempt to clean it.

 

I had a CEL on the entire time since I've owned the car. (bought it used with a blown head gasket) Last I checked, it was an air temp sensor, replaced that part and the light never went off --- I figured a little black electrical tape over the light to fix that ;] --- I'm almost positive that the O2 Sensor is probably disgusting. I left smoke screens in the middle of intersections, itwas burning oil bad!(2.5 quarts every fill up [200/240mi]) I drove it in this condition for probablythree months. I could use ANY tips on installing this engine as this would be my first time doing a complete engine removal and installation.

 

YAY! My engine just got here ---- I'm going to utilize this thread to ask questions and post progress.

Progress to date:
89 Honda Civic Sedan DX 1.5l [D15B]

Battery removed
All coolant/vaccumm hoses removed
Air box and duct removed
wiring harnessremoved
transmission clutch cable removed
radiator+fans removed
a/c removed (staying removed) Will worry about re-assembley in the summer ;]
Master Cylinder/Booster removed (to clear alternator.)
Brake assemblies, front suspension and cv axles removed from both d&p side


Questions:
1) Still looking for an answer on a cleaning solvent to use for the exhaust and intake manifolds.Someonesaid not to worry about it, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
2) Anyone have any ideas of engnie lift points? I am using a hoist for removal and have not a clue/do not see any places to chain this thing to get it out.
3) The guy at the engine place (Best Japanese Engines Mrietta, GA) says that I need to only replace (from old motor)the Distributor/Intake/Exhaust manifolds in order for this to be a bolt-on project. Can anyone verify or disapprove of this conclusion?
4) Engine guy also says that you can swap in a d16 as a bolt-on only project also, being that the only difference is centimetersin piston size,TRUE or FALSE?

 

Was able to remove engine today after work...Had a rough time when I forgot to remove the hiding exhaust bracket torwards the bottom/back side of the motor. Ended up wrapping a toe strap around the steel beem in my garage, attached a 1200lb come-along to that, along with a 500lb chain to pull the motor up and out. Turns out when we snagged on the exhaust, we were actuallyraising the car by the exhaust . These aremy trials and tribulations with limited resources.

I'm actually at a very scary stage for me with this engine replacement... the transmission. Last time I messed with a transmission, I swapped an automatic transmission to a 5speed. The car drove but was very noisy and just simpley didnt feel right. It was obvious that it was from the transmission. --- The car already has a 5 speed (this go-around) so I won't be swappy from auto to manual. I wouldappreciate assistance, tips, tricks, reminders, do's, don'ts regarding the transmission swap from old motor, to the new one. Thanks for any help guys!