1990 honda civic dx coolant leak/possible engine replacements?

hey, i have a 1990 honda civic, dx model, and i seem to be having a problem
with my radiator, or maybe hosts, water pump even? i replace the radiator
two months ago, and i haven't leaked coolant until just recently. i'm
picking up the hanes manual tomorrow, so i can check it out a bit better.
does anyone know some common problems that vehicle has for hoses becomming
leaky after certain wear? i have 250 000 kilomoters on the stock vehicle.

also, i am looking for a different engine to put in the civic.. maybe
something from an integra, or prelude? something with more hosepower
behind it. has anyone done this before, and can give me some ideas? or,
could you please point me in the right direction to somewhere with useful
information on swapping engines.
thank you very much!

 

Where is your coolant leak coming from? rad? hoses? waterpump?

If your looking to replace your engine check into sohc or dohc JDM ZC
engines. I know the sohc version are fairly cheap, it will be a bolt in
, but there's some wiring issues to convert over to MPFI (easy).

The sohc ZC is rated for 128hp and the dohc has 132hp ish. Just
remember your D15 just has 96hp.

chris

 

i think the leak is coming from a host, but it's hard to tell because it's
behind the engine, and i can't quite see where it's leaking from. unlikely
it's the rad.. like i said, it's new, and i can't visibly see anything
leaking from that area.

i checked out the jdm zc's.. the price is "okay", for a new one (~$1000
american, plus shipping). what are the chances of me finding a used one,
out of a wrecked car? is it a popular engine? what did it come out of?
what work is involved in converting the wiring to MPFI? would i need to
get an ecu for it, or any other parts?
any other suggestions of engines that will easily fit?

well, thanks very much for your help so far, fiero-chris. speaking of
which, i was very close to buying a fiero..

 

bad motor mounts can cause hoses to break and radiators to fail at the hose
connections.

 

As there are many possible sources for a coolant leak at the back of the
motor, it sounds like it might be a good idea to run a pressure check on the
cooling system. If you can't see the source of the leak, then jack up the
car and put it on stands so you can get under it on a creeper or drive it up
on some ramps.

Eric

 

pressure check is probably a good idea.. thanks!

 

i think i'll bring it in the shop and check all the hoses/connections.. and
try to get some OEM hoses from honda.

 

Hi,

Call around to a few engine importers in your area. The ZC engines are
almost a dime a dozen cheap. I paid $500Cdn for my sohc ZC. The ZC
engines are from JDM Civic / CRX SiR (japan)

If you plan to get a Fiero. Get a GT model or at least a SE-V6.

chris

 

what sort of "engine importers" are in my area?... like, who would i talk
to, or what website could i go to?

i'm not interested in buying a fiero, i was just looking at one before i
got my civic. it was a gt.

thanks for the continuing support.

kam