what all is there to do? difficulty level? what do i need to do to make sure this motor will be reliable and back to its prime. also what kind of money and parts and tools will i need?

looking at a solid block with around 180k on it.

 

Bearing replacement, probably a slight overbore, honing, replacing major components as nessicary (i.e., bigger pistons to fit the overbored cylinders) and a LOT of clearance and spec checking and machining to fit. All this mess is probably left to an experienced builder. Chilton's and Hayne's manuals have setions detailing all the stuff that needs to be done. Beware, it is labor and time intensive for someone that hasn't done it before, and some stuff that needs to be done by pros anyway (unless you want to press bearings and overbore yourself)

 

yeah im definitely leavin the machine work to the pros... i might try to tackle my head on my own but i dont even know if i wanna do my own pistons/rings.

im gonna have my crank turned, overbore, and have my block and head planed

 

would you say its necessary to do this sort of work on this particular motor?

 

It depends on the individual motor's condition.

 

anything in particular to look for?

 

Is it a just shortblock? If so, check for rust and pitting in the cylinders, they will rust if not protected for a while. Spin the crank to make sure it's not seized, and that all four con rods are still actually connected. The best single guage of condition I know of is to rub your finger on the cylinder wall, from about a half-inch into the tube to the top edge, there will be a little step there from the highest point the piston slides in its travels. If it feels like there is no step, the engine should be in great condition, if there is a pronounced step, it is worn and may need refreshing (overbore). If the cylinder walls are glassy smooth and/or have vertical gouges, it needs honing or overboring and honing, respectively.

If it is a longblock, about all you can do is spin the crank (without the sparkplugs in, of course ) and ask the previous owner how it ran.

 

well the thing is still running, but the questions im asking have to do with.

what sort of htings are robbing stock power
what about blow by? (piston rings/piston/re mill the walls?)
etc...

 

Worn/damaged cylinders, worn/damaged rings- loss of compression.
worn main bearings, actually any worn bearing- parasitic friction losses
worn cams/rockers- miniscule power losses

Basically anything worn may cause undue friction or compression loss, and the HP will slowly fall until it is rebuilt.

 

yah i'd say start with everything in ur monoblock first everything else can be done with the engine in ur car, do pistons, overboring if necessary, if not new piston rings neways, check ur connecting rods, honda makes great cranks so that should be fine just be gentle with it and make sure not to drop it if u take it out for work, you can check for warpage on the block and see if that needs replaned, the head u can work on once u get the rest put together but this is only my suggestion if you have lots of money and don't mind pushing it out, if the engine is running fine, not burning oil and when u do a compression check everything is fine i'd say don't open it up, at least not yet...