I bought a used 93 civic with a b16a3 (94-95 del sol vtec) in it. It was dirt cheap so if the motor is bunk I guess I can just pull it and sell the motor for parts. However, I wanna see what's wrong with it and get it to run. It's using a P28 ecu, but I havent' checked if it's chipped or not. I'm not sure what tranny it's using because I don't see a the vin number. It's also using a del sol vtec wiring harness. All the main sensors are connected. I did a valve adjustment, changed the cap/rotor, spark plugs, and it has a new timing belt. I don't think the h20 pump was changed. The motor has about 65k miles on it.

I got the car to start, but it ticks/knocks VERY loud. Sounds almost like a bent valve. I started it before doing a valve adjustment and while doing the valve adjustment, none of the valves were all that loose.

It's also open header because there is a 2-3 inch gap between the header and the straight piping back (no cat). There is also no o2 sensor. It is throwing 3 ecu codes. 21, 22, and 41 which are the VTEC Solenoid Valve, the VTEC Oil Pressure Switch, and the o2 sensor. Car is also idling pretty high, probably around 2000-3000 (no tach, CX model).

I did a compression test and it got these numbers: 210, 205, 210, 205... Compression seems good.

Also, after I start the motor for like 1 minute, and take off the spark plug wires, smoke comes out of the spark plug holes. Seems normal until I take the whole valve cover off and I see a BUNCH of smoke come out. Not THAT much, but doesn't seem normal. There is new oil and it's not leaking anything either...

Can someone help me out? If it helps, I'll record the sound tomorrow in the morning and post the wav file. I really want to drive it at least to the muffler shop to get a cat put on and close the open header. Think I'll be ok just driving it about 5-10 miles? I'm getting an o2 sensor soon, but none of that really explains the loud ticking/knocking.