1988 CRXDX DPFI dizzy work on a 1991 CRXDX DPFI?

[UfoTofU]

I ask because I scored a 1991 CRX originally from Arizona with ZERO rust but I think that the dizzy might be bad. Here in Maine I would have been stupid to pass up this Rex and would have regretted it forever if I did.

I have an 88 DX that runs fine and has no noises from the dizzy.

In the 91 there is a hell of a rattling coming from either the distributor or the extreme left (when standing in front of the engine bay) of the head. I really hope that it is not the head. Sounds like pebbles rattling in a can though it does seem to quiet down after it is warned up a bit.

I will be selling the 88 soon but want to try swapping distributors to see if that is the problem and then put the good dizzy back in the 88 to sell and work on the 91 over the winter.

Any help is appreciated.

[SVOboy]

You bought it?

[Bunger]

Should swap right over. The noise you're hearing is most likely the bearing in the distributor, very common with hondas.

[UfoTofU]

Excellent.

I will read up on it and try attempting it tomorrow.

[Gary Palmer]

Hold up. Are you sure the 91 is a DPFI? I thought the HF used MPFI, in which case the distributors would be different.


If it's a DPFI, 91, then they should swap fine. Their should be 2 plugs, at the distributor. They both have a little plastic tab, which you have to pull on, to pull the plugs out. Their should be a 2 wire plug and a 5 wire plug.

If it's a MPFI, then the distributor has an additional sensor and it uses a 7 wire plug, instead of a 5 wire.

On the distributor, you can either get a new replacement, a used replacement, or get the bearings and rebuild it. I've done all three and although it's more money, I'd recommend getting a new replacement, if your planning on keeping the car for any length of time.

Awesome find, in Maine.

[SVOboy]

They are both DXs.

[Gary Palmer]

You are QUICK on that keyboard. Ok, thanks, that makes more sense then.

[SVOboy]

I'm just really bored, is all.

[UfoTofU]

I swapped the distributors just barely. Doesn't seem that the noise was from the distributor cause the 91 dizzy worked no prob in my 88.

My next thought is that it is the A/C condenser. I will try taking the belt off of that.

[Gary Palmer]

I would be surprised if it is anything to do with the A/C. The compressor is on the right hand side, at the lower front of the engine.

I am wondering if it might just be that the lifters need to be readjusted. When they are loose, they tend to make a sort of clatter sound. They also could become a little quieter as they warm up, because of the metals warming up. I'd check that out.