Yeah! Cracked Piston Ring, what are my options
 

Hi guys, Hoping to get some advice on whether it's worth the parts and labor to get my pistons replaced, (may as well do all instead of just the busted one) or to just get a new engine.

I have no idea how much it'll cost to repair a cracked piston ring, but i konw i've gotta make a choice soon. Any advice on which would be more costly? (new engine and install 5,000 right?)

Lastly would this be an impossible task to complete with two semi knowledgable car enthusiats and a helms manual? or am i just retarded. Help!!

Assuming your diagnosis is correct, Until you get it apart, you won't know if the cylinder's damaged. If the cylinder's not damaged, I'd think you'd be able to order some new rings from honda and simply replace the rings.

In my mind, when you replace pistons, you automatically have to use a machine shop to match the pistons to the bores.

A shortblock is $2100 from Honda. You may be better off taking the motor out, buying a short block and simply building it up with the rest of your existing engine parts. In that way you don't get into the whole block assembly and dis-assembly.

I wouldn't make digging into the engine my first project but, it's not particularly difficult if you have the tools and can follow directions.

How do you order one of those? Do you have to be a dealer?

I believe "hard top guy" or one of the other sponsors can get them or Majestic Honda. These guys are supposed to be able to get them too.

http://www.magauto.com/

One of the sponsors, I wish I remember which one, can supply honda parts at internet prices (typically 30% off list). I've ordered a complete cylinder head from Majestic before.

hardtopguy.com

I've tried looking at hardtopguy.com before, and never saw anything. Is it not a click here to add to cart type of item? :D

Do I have contact them and ask about it or have I just not been looking in the right category?

Gotta call them for that one.

Thanks for the advice guys, i'll look into it for sure. the short block transplant is a good option. the more i drive it in this condition the more i'm f'n up this engine and risking f'n up the other internals. sux!

hardtopguy has one of the best prices around for a f20c shortblock

Yeah, I'd stop driving it now. Otherwise you'll need the whole thing. That's quite a bit more.