2000 Honda Accord Junk Yard engine installation

Tiny
HONDAACCORDOWNER88
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
This question is for everyone in a similar 
situation to learn from, here's the whole 
story. 

I bought a car last year and within two 
months the engine was overheating badly 
and was diagnosed by a certified mechanic 
to be the head gasket.  I replaced the 
radiator, hoses, head gasket, water pump 
and Thermostat.  One month later the 
coolant was full of oil again and 
overheating bad.  It was than determined 
that this was a defective engine (common 
from 98-02 and no longer covered by 
Honda) and the engine block was cracked.  
They recommended a new car or a new 
engine.  

From here I spent about 6 months finding a 
"junk yard engine" with low miles.  Let me 
warn you that this is a shady business.  
They will lie if they think your incompetent 
enough or they will just lie anyways 
because there that crooked.  There are 
honest people, find them.  After a bad 
experience with one engine, I got a engine 
for $460 including shipping with 135,000 
miles -30,000 miles over what they quoted 
but nevertheless- checked up on and 
verified.  I was encouraged by the 
mechanics I know, the one installing it and 
vast online research to replace these parts 
during the install:
Water pump, Thermostat, Timing Belt,  
Upper and lower radiator hoses, 5/8 inch 
hoses, Wires and Spark plugs. 

There were other parts that I saw during my 
online research that were recommended 
but these were most consistently named.

My question is what other parts are VITAL 
to giving a "better chance" for this engine to 
not have problems, considering prior 
overheating on the last engine?  Thank you 
so much for any responses.

2000 Honda Accord LX
Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 AT 2:39 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
I would get the radiator re cleaned as if it has over heated since the radiator was replaced you can get sediment stirred up in the block and settling in the cores again, check compressions and make sure the vale clearances are ok. Use a quality coolant and you should be fine.
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Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 AT 3:46 PM

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