How to tune B16a engine??

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pinebox

New Member
Hey guys, I just bought my first CRX. Its a 89 CRX Si. But it has the b16a engine swapped in it already with a vtech controller and some other goodies I dont even know bout I'm sure but...

There is alot of rust on the 2 gears on the right side of the engine that are encased in with the huge belt running down round the engine *serpentine belt??*. I don't know the name of them yet, but they definitely need replaced.

Other than that, I was looking for some general pointers on what to maybe replace on the engine knowing those gears are badly rusted. Car runs and sounds like a champ, but its hampered with rust spots under the hood. But those gears are the worst rust I've seen on the car.

Engine supposively only has 60k, but has been sitting awhile. Something like a year or more.

So... Whats the name of the two big gears on the right side of the b16a engine and knowing those are rusted, what else should I replace first?

Thank you for looking.:(
 
vtec. no H.
there's no serpentine belt. what you're referring to is the timing belt. the gears are the cam gears. They shouldn't be visible. there should be a cover of them. you can get some new came gears if you want, but honestly, i doubt they need to be replaced. just clean them with a damp rag and i bet most of the surface rust comes off.
 
I see, cam gears... okay... now another thing if ya dont mind...

The car smells of exhaust alot on the inside of the car and there is a white/gray smoke coming from the tail pipe on idle. Doesn't make a smoke bomb while driving/leave a trail of smoke, but its pretty fresh exhaust smelling.

Any tips there?
 
Would that be a gasket or a leak? Be careful that you aren't breathing carbon monoxide. I don't think you can smell it but it's hazardous to your health.
 
On Spark plugs...

I'm in the process of changing the spark plugs. Got the original type/performance type of plugs for the car and purchased 4. While extracting the spark plugs I found them to be tightened in more than I'm used to. I'm used to changing 6 plugs on my 1992 Dodge Daytona Iroc 3.0 SOHC. Which involves wayyyy more work but... When I went to tighten them down just to have them tight like I'm used to, the car did not start. Therefore I went to remove the plugs and the first plugs metal sheet inside the plug came out and stuck on the spark plug. I removed it carefully with needle nose plyers. Therefore I've come to the conclusion the spark plugs and wires are bad, one wire that runs from the cap to an accel box is a MSD wire. Not to hip on that, but seems I have a poor mans MSD ignition. Upon pulling the plugs I see them to be normal wear/carbon deposit. One spark plug had a little dried up oil on the threads... *Cylinder 3*

My question is...

Does the b16a engine really need the spark plugs tightened in that tight to be seated correctly??

I'm trying to do my pwn tuneup here. ><
 
no, they should be basically hand tight and then one final "tap" to lock in place. if they were that tight, they were probably rusted in.
 
D@mn...

Seems like i got a badass looking CRX Si with goods, but hasnt done its job in awhile...

I'm in for trouble I can tell...

Hmmm...

Well I'll tighten down the spark plugs more tomorrow with new wires since the 7mm ones that came with it have broken off on the spark plug.

Or I'll wait to get 8.5mm wires on it with my next check.

But after coming from a 1992 Dodge Daytona Iroc... I'm loving this abundance of parts and fan base :)
 
:driver: Honda Fan <- It is spelled Vtec, not Vtech!! >_<
Do you have any pics to post up?
 
I got engine pix/ all body pix

yes i have pix to put up...

From the looks of it I should open up a cardomain.com on it to link the pix, since I cant upload them directly from HD?

><
 
dear god. lol i wouldn't have paid $500 for that.... b16 or not. but hey, to each their own.

well, let's hope you bring it back to life and save it from it's ricer past.
 
ya I'd paid 2.5k for that. But I got what I got none the less.

I'ma visual learner / learn the hardway dood. So I'm up for the challenge.

Cool to know...

Anything on how hard to tighten these spark plugs?
 
Hate that you called my ride rice when it actually is decent. But I appreciate the ups...

I'm sure u've already called me a noob under your breath, so I'll figured out how tight to tighten the spark plugs. Thanks on that...:ph34r:
 
I already posted how tight:

B said:
no, they should be basically hand tight and then one final "tap" to lock in place. if they were that tight, they were probably rusted in.
Click to expand...

It's cool if you like it. I just hope you resurrect it and turn it into a decent car again while learning as you go. There's tons of good info here with smart people to help out along the way. While i personally wouldn't be cought dead driving in that, it doesn't mean i won't help you get it running good and try to convince you to get some oem bumpers and get it painted :)
 
I hear ya... well i really do like it alot.

Got the spark plugs in good and tight, car sounds alot better and less smoke is emitting from tail pipe. I'ma have a mechanic come by today to do cracked head test on the radiator and give me some overall pointers. Thanx again man.
 
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