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Hey everybody,

Haven't been here in a while. I bought a 97 Hx about 2 years ago for commuting (140 miles/day). Still have the commute, but my HX blew the head gasket. She just hit 230k miles, and there had been signs.

I already picked up a '98 HX in pretty damn good condition last week. So, I'm not pressed for time, but I'd like some suggestions on what I should do next.

Ultimately, money is going to be the biggest factor here.

My options:

1) Scrap the old HX and sell it for parts

2) Change the head gasket and sell it

3) Find a used engine and sell it

My son is about a year and a half from driving. I'm also considering keeping it for him. Money is tight right now tho. I'm thinking I need to do whatever is going to bring the biggest return right now.

With this many miles, the car won't be worth a whole lot even running...so, I'm just not sure its worth putting more money into. It has all original parts. It even has stock HX rims with Michelins.

If I do take on the engine work (I'm a novice), would I get more bang for my buck doing just the head gasket /timing belt/water pump on her, or would I be better off finding a low mileage used engine instead ?

Also, who can point me in the direction of a good importer or engine exchange place where I can get a low mileage D16Y5 ?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

 
Rep Power: 812

i wouldnt bother fixing it unless you plan to keep the car.

 
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Hey Gearbox,

Thanks for the reply.

So, you think I'd be best off just selling it for parts ?

Any guesses as to what I might be able to get out of her ? I've never parted a car out before, so I gather it just has a lot to do with who needs what and where I advertise...suggestions ?

 
Rep Power: 812

it depends on parts, i mean that car is in pretty high demand so you could go around various honda forums and post for sale threads. stuff like rims would go fast, some engine parts that are in good shape, etc. pretty much anything thats working if you dont mind shipping a bunch of it. or even post up local ads and people can come and look.

 
Rep Power: 314

I say fix it.. if you do it in your driveway you can fix it for 300 bucks if you don't get the head checked.. MUCH cheaper than buying a new car... also worth a shot and it's a fun little project. If it leaks again you know the head is warped and you can get rid of the car. If you wanna go all out spend the extra 2-300 dollars and get the head checked.. 500 dollars is still much better than buying a new car. Were in a financial downturn people!!! lol If you fix it the car is worth a lot more to you because it functions than it is to anyone else.

 
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I've seen posts where guys talk about finding low mileage engines for cheap. I'd really like to find something like that. I keep reading that the D series isn't really worth the cost of parts to rebuild vs just buying another engine. If I can do it for about $500, I think it'd make a lot more sense than buying brand new OEM parts for the head gasket change, and the timing belt change. Does anybody know a good dealer ?

 
Rep Power: 812

some ebay stores are legit and have d-series engines for around $400-600, but you have to look around to find one in good shape. many have higher mileage and prolly not worth the risk. are you able to install the engine yourself? or will a shop be doing it, cause its at least $1k labor.

 
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Hey gearbox. Those are my thoughts exactly. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a motor w/under 60k miles on her, but I have seen the ones you're talking about with over 100k. I'm not going to chance things with a motor with that many on the clock.

The plan would be to do the swap myself. I don't have the big equipment, but could probably rent or borrow some.

I haven't done a motor change before, but feel like I could manage it with the right tools. I certainly wouldn't be paying anybody to do it.

I'm still torn between the ideas of keeping it or selling it, and if I buy OEM parts for just the head change, and a timing belt job, plus possibly having the head cleaned up, I could easily be out the same kind of money.

I need to call around to see if there are any importers/etc in my area (NE FL).

 
Rep Power: 314

You can buy a used engine but how do you know it's not abused and has serious issues... I don't know. If you replace the head gasket and get the head checked you know where you stand. I'm not one for buying someone elses crap

 
Rep Power: 235

Right now, to find a low mileage HX engine from a reputable salvage dealer you're looking at $500-800.

 
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Hi lazlong,

Any leads on a reputable salvage dealer ?

 
Rep Power: 235

^^ Pretty much anybody listed here: http://www.car-part.com/ There are a handful with around 50K miles.

 
Rep Power: 367

oh, lazlong beat me to it

 
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make it a father son project fix the head gasket