F23A1 To Same Engine Swap Questions.

[brintonwhalen]

Hello all,

My first time to Hondaswap and I and impressed with the wealth of knowledge contained here. I recently had catastrophic engine failure in my 02 Honda Accord SE 4cyl 2.3L automatic tranny, which my mechanic told we was due to a connecting rod breaking and doing God knows what to the engine itself. Long story short it needs a new engine. In an effort to cut costs, i have decided to undertake the job of replacing the engine myself.

I have been doing a lot of research on what ill need. I have Already ordered a New F23A Engine from got-jdm.com which should be a bolt-in. Some of the things i need to do the swap are below, I’m not sure if there are more I should get:

Timing Belt
Oil Filter
Spark Plugs
Balance Shaft Belt
Oil
Transmission Fluid
Coolant
Water pump


My question then is, what is the best approach for removing this engine. I found some good info here

https://hondaswap.com/swap-articles/engine-removal-guide-29124/

But I am wondering If anyone has done something similar to this, and could give me some things to be careful of and look out for. I plan on being very meticulous and labeling where every part goes with masking tape and ziplocks. Any tips are appreciated.

Thanks all J

 

[AHHVTEC]

theres really not much to know. id pull the motor and trans together at the same time jack the car up put it on stands pull both axles out un do the exhaust. then get a engine lift hook the chains to it put some pressure on it then start taking the the bolts out of the motor mounts. this is after you unhook all the wires that is. best thing to do is just leave the wiring harness hooked up to the motor just unplug it from the fire wall.

 

[brintonwhalen]

Thats what i have been reading: that the engine and tranny should come out together, cool. Should I unbolt the exhast by spliting the Header and downpipe and leaving the header on the engine?

I dont think the engine has been sent yet- I talked to the guy on thursday he said he had the engine compression tested and have a tracking number by friday, but i havent heard from him; tried to call today with no luck either.

But when it does get here ill take photos and let you all know how this project is going . thank you for the quick reply AHHVTEC

*Also on a side note after the engine is put in ill have alot of extra F23A1 engine parts left over since the new engine came with most of them.(throttle body, sensors, a/c compressor, pulleys, header, fuel rail, injectors etc.) the engine had 120k on it before it broke. So if anyone is interested in anything let me know.

 

[efhondakid]

I’m not sure if there are more I should get:

Timing Belt
Oil Filter
Spark Plugs
Balance Shaft Belt
Oil
Transmission Fluid
Coolant
Water pump

You will absolutly need coolant, oil, and ATF, but it would be a good idea to replace the other stuff ou have listed to freshen it up a bit.

 

[brintonwhalen]

Would it also be a good idea to run the car light for a bit, then do an oil change / coolant flush again? Not sure what all is in the engine... What is a good break in time for this engine, it is used with approx 15k-30k on it.

 

[AHHVTEC]

naa id just leave the header on there, just unhook it from the cat. and yeah thats not a bad ideal it cant hurt anything thats for sure.and if its a used engine no need to break it in

 

[brintonwhalen]

Excellent, I'll make sure to take lots of pictures , and let you know how everything is going. I'll try to call the guy at got-jdm again and see where my engine is at, and let you all know.

 

[brintonwhalen]

WOO! Called the Company and i got a tracking number- it will arrive tomorrow after i get off from work, i'm excited

 

[91accordwithwork]

good luck planning on doing the same within a few years i have 220 miles on my f22a and i am thinking i will need a new one sooner or later

 

[efhondakid]

good luck planning on doing the same within a few years i have 220 miles on my f22a and i am thinking i will need a new one sooner or later

I would love to see you try to do a swap, a replacement swap at that.

 

[91accordwithwork]

ok thanks...........

 

[nootrac22]

if maintained properly the f22 can regularly see 400k plus. Maintenance is the key.

 

[brintonwhalen]

if maintained properly the f22 can regularly see 400k plus. Maintenance is the key.

Definately - preventative maintanace is key for the longevity of any engine. I maintained mine very well, frequent fluid changes/flushes, belts and plugs, air filter etc.

Not sure if it is just with the F series engines, but i hear they have weaker connecting rods than other engines. I had the engine approaching redline in third and was about to shift when i heard the rod break. Was a sad day...

I am truely excited to start this swap today. Being my first swap it will give me a chance to learn and hopefully, if i document it well, I can add something back to the forum and maybe help someone else.

 

[caboose]

good luck planning on doing the same within a few years i have 220 miles on my f22a and i am thinking i will need a new one sooner or later

My F22b had 205k on it when the trans went. Thing ran great... stuck oil rings so some smoke though, lol. Easily could have gone for 300k, probably a lot more.

I know a guy that owns a used honda parts store. Says that he almost NEVER sells a motor because they never break. He said the only thing that ever goes bad on them are the piston rings.

 

[brintonwhalen]

oh yeah the ring went bad in that cylinder too- the plug was wet with oil lol. Oh well should be seeing that engine in the next 2 hours or so

 

[Korax]

My F22a had 260k on it before it went. And it was my fault. I think I'm the only person ever to shatter a crank bearing in one .

 

[budda]

Shattering a bearing sounds very difficult to do in any motor. Not to stray off topic, but how'd you manage that?

 

[91accordwithwork]

yah i hope that my motor last me, but on the account of im going to keep my car for a long time i feel id be good to get together 700 bucks from winter work and then purchase a new f22a1 with low miles on it (20-40 K) just so im running with a fresh motor good idea????

do i just drop the new one in and drive???



sorry this is not a thread jack just simalar questions

 

[budda]

I doubt you'd get one with that kind of mileage for 700. Heck, for an older engine I doubt you'd get one with that kind of mileage at all

 

[91accordwithwork]

yah they are all over ebay well i was exagerating sorry

like 40-80K??

and do i have to tune it or anything or just instyall and im good?