1,500cc EM1 motor in a 1980 honda civic. replacement or rebuild options?

LU_NA20v · Post by **LU_NA20v** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:09 pm

hey guys, long time no post and now I finally have a honda...never thought I would honestly see the day, seeing that I'm a DSM guy through and through (and chevy, but that's trucks)

anyway, I basically 'inherited' a 1981 honda civic 1500 GL 5 speed that's in pretty decent shape, there was a little rust that was fixed at one point in time.

anyway, the one downside (there is always a downside isn't there?) is that the engine has a lower end knock, and finding a EM1 motor (SOHC carb'd 1,500cc engine) is damn near impossible, rebuild kits are about $250 and I have no idea if anyone locally could be trusted to do the lower end rebuild or even if I would trust myself to do it.

No idea why the lower end started knocking, it still runs though. I haven't had the time to dig into it and investigate what exactly is causing said knock...

with all that said fella's, what would you all suppose I do? I'm at a loss as to what could be done and I hope someone on here is an old school honda guru that can atleast point me in the right direction.

thanks in advanced.

Brian

andyjt · Post by **andyjt** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:19 am

EM1 Engines can be replaced with several other E-series engines. I believe you can use Accord engines until '83 and Prelude up to '82.

People usually toss b-series/ Older D16 engines in them as well...

92_luder · Post by **92_luder** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:26 am

the b series swap would b nice in that thing

LU_NA20v · Post by **LU_NA20v** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 9:54 pm

Andy, how difficult would said D series swap be? would it remain carb'd or would there be a wiring harness run.
Would I have to use a D series transmission in order to put it in?

Might just have to keep on searching for older accord/civic motors. lol

andyjt · Post by **andyjt** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:14 am

LU_NA20v;260440 wrote:Andy, how difficult would said D series swap be? would it remain carb'd or would there be a wiring harness run.
Would I have to use a D series transmission in order to put it in?

Might just have to keep on searching for older accord/civic motors. lol

Difficult. No one makes mounts. Wiring/electrical, etc.

You can convert to Carb. Weber Sells a carb conversion kit w/replacement intake manifold. You can use w/e D-series trans you want..

...id keep on searching..

crx08 · Post by **crx08** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:18 am

swap a EK1 in there. just gotta keep an eye out for these engines

LU_NA20v · Post by **LU_NA20v** » Sat Apr 02, 2011 3:36 pm

Just an update guys, turns out the motor isn't blown at all!

Drained the oil, no metal shards whatsoever and the oil was pretty clean...changed it and looked into the transmission and replaced the fluid in it.

I started digging in deeper and the water pump turned out to be bad, it wasn't leaking but it definitely had some play in it and was scraping the inside of the water pipe (I'm guessing that was the ungodly noise).

the replacement pump will be here on monday and It'll be back on the road soon.

Phate · Post by **Phate** » Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:16 pm

That's good news. Glad to hear it.

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Sat Apr 02, 2011 5:51 pm

Good to hear man!

Edison Carasio · Post by **Edison Carasio** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:59 pm

Where did you find the water pump? OEM or aftermarket?