Nightmare Engine Swap - 95 Civic LX MT
 

Got myself into a nightmare I need an expert opinion on. Bought a 95 Civic LX stick in great cond w/a blown head gasket, 211K, $500. After researching, we chose to replace engine, D15B7. Unfortunately allowed a couple of ‘friends’ to do it. They got a new engine, w/80K on it, from a yard. Dizzy from old engine was put on cuz the new one was broken, w/a busted flange. 20 hours of weekend later, new engine was in, would turn, but not start.
Tried it next day w/my husband and noticed that a) plug wires wrong, b) dizzy not mounted correctly, c) timing belt cover was off and belt was cut, looking to be sawed nearly halfway thru, (:hithead:) and only two of the lobes/valves were turning on the camshaft when we tried to start. Assuming broken camshaft. :flush:
On checking old engine for possible parts to use, noticed that cooling cavities contained what I'm sure was dried Bars Leak. ‘Friend’ #1 tells me he thinks dizzy/camshaft/timing belt damage was done in pulling engine at boneyard. Owner @ yard offered to give me another head today, but one he gave was V-Tec and doesn’t have a non but said he’d have one in a few days, but going on a month since repair attempt. What now? Replace just camshaft (+timing belt), whole head, swap again, or try to get what $ I can and eat the loss?:confused:

Re: Nightmare Engine Swap - 95 Civic LX MT
 

BTW, I'm about $1200 into this car now, no longer trust either alleged friends to be able to tie their own shoes w/o help, (who puts in an engine w/o changing obviously f*d up belt???) nor the junkyard owner, who seems to be set against returning any $$$ and just wearing me out.