H23 or H22

eDaniel · Post by **eDaniel** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:52 pm

H23A1 (USA) and H23A2 (EUROPE) doesn't have the plastic cover that shields the ignition leads. In fact, there is a rare H23A JDM engine but its rocker cover is blue ("blue top"). I believe this is H22A/H22A1/H22A2, etc.

Bio · Post by **Bio** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:55 pm

There should be a plate to the left of the heat shield on the block saying H2xAx (where X is a number). It's barely visible on your picture though due to oxidisation but will be your engine model.

Also I think the H23 had a blue top?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_H_Engine
H23 VTEC listed in there as blue-top

eDaniel · Post by **eDaniel** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:55 pm

Usually you can find the engine code here:

eDaniel · Post by **eDaniel** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:00 pm

The code is engraved deep enough, so ask him to sand the top of the plate for you. Good luck!

eDaniel · Post by **eDaniel** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:13 pm

The H23 engines look different (except H23A VTEC which is exactly like H22A but with blue top). This is my old H23A2 engine:

Notice the shape of the rocker cover. Also notice the absence of the plastic HT leads cover.

A1ex · Post by **A1ex** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:19 pm

I thought the h23 vtec was a frankenstien job?

eDaniel · Post by **eDaniel** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:25 pm

This is a popular frankenstein build also

H23A1/2 block + H22A/H22A1/2 head.

Here is the genuine H23A VTEC (not frankenstein) engine.

According to the info available on the net, this engine was used in JDM Accord Wagon only.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:43 pm

Ummm... Why has no-one mentioned the most obvious distinguishing feature of all?

... "VTEC" embossed smack bang on top

You'd be incredibly lucky if it was an H23a VTEC as like it's been said, these are like hen's teeth, so if you see a valve cover with VTEC written on it (providing it's out of a Prelude or an Accord) 99.9999% of the time you can bet your bottom dollar it's an H22a.

... Which particular H22a is easier to to find out just by asking them to read you the code stamped on the block.