I had not owned a car for the past 12 years (since coming back to Van from college in the US) but I needed to do a daily commute from Kits to Richmond. Somehow I ended up with a '95 Del Sol.

I knew it was 'modded.' Eventually the entire aftermarket headers/manifold/muffler was replaced (2 rounds of work partial --> double done at MIDAS; second time, they ordered a couple of B16 manifolds, neither fit, put out a call for manifolds for the spec and got one, or so they say). Started getting bunny-hop problems, brought it into a local AAMCO. They couldn't identify the engine and asked me to figure out what they heck was in the car.

A couple of hours later, they told me to pick up the car. At first I didn't get that they thought that they had fixed the problem (reset the ignition firing timings). They still have no idea what engine is installed in this chassis.

I'm now pretty damned curious as to what it is. They also say that it's at least a 1.8L but possibly a 2.0L. VTEC DOHC I contacted the guy I bought it from a a couple of months ago and he swears that as far as he knows it's a stock B16.

What should I look for to identify this engine?

 

welcome to the forum. 95 Del Sol B-16a3, 160hp. honda engine type stamped, block looking from the front of the radiator, front, left, just under the exhaust manifold, a flat area.

 

I can see where that would be a problem.

 

is it sohc or dohc stock these cars came with either a d15b7 if its a del sol s or an si will have either a d16z6 (sohc) or b16 like acmech52 said, on the left side of the block about quarter the way from the top and it should have an engine stamp

 

i think the problem is you took your car to MIDAS and AAMCO.

 

Thanks! You guys are right - it's stamped right there on the block: B16A3.

The MIDAS guys are crap but I didn't get the feeling either them or AAMCO were trying to rip me off (esp. AAMCO) who insisted that they couldn't identify the engine or that it isn't what it purports to be.

Oh well. I'll have to find a real mechanic to take a look at it if it needs anything in the future. -knocks wood.

 

yeah but even a backyard mechanic would no that there are identifying marks on the engine block. i wouldn't go anywhere near a shop that ignorant.