There was a couple if things I wanted to get done before slipping in the new engine. First I swapped over the oil cooler and subsequently the water pump and housing. I would have loved to install a new water pump at this stage, but unfortunately, after literally pulling a K24 out of my ass a few (non essential) corners were cut. New coolant hoses were used though. The necessary holes were present and tapped on the new engine. I unfortunately did not take pictures of alot of this. BUT be advised, when installing the factory oil cooler you will need the cooler assembly itself, the 2 hoses, the plug bolt off the K20 and the small nipple/fitting that circulates the coolant on the exhaust side of the engine. All these parts were culled from the old engine.
Important note: before installing the plug bolt on the K24 there is an 8mm allen head plug that needs to be removed!!! This plug blocks off the coolant galleys on the back side of the engine and whose removal is necessary for the coolant to circulate through the oil cooler. I asked a few people about this and with some apprehension, loaded up the Vise Grips on the K24 oil filter stud. Once I clamped the pliers on there was no going back. The sigh of relief when the stud broke free and threaded out. I was wary about this step because on the K20 the oil filter stud (it has to have a real name, but this is all I can think to call it)has a proper hex at its base so it can be removed with a deep well socket. The K24 has no such provision, to attempt to remove it is to damage the threads.
Another small addition was the install of a lower timing chain guide.
I felt this particular piece was an important add on for the upcoming cam upgrade.
Removing the front cover also revealed a very clean engine. Very light gold tinting and zero sludge, varnish or unusual slur.
Now I debated on this for days. I ultimately opted to run the stock K24 oil pump.
I may eventually swap in the K20 pump/baffle/aluminum pan, but for the time being, my main concern and objective was a simple one: confirm a healthy RUNNING engine before all else. I chose caution over the ease of installing these parts now rather than later. Oh well busting knuckles is part of the hobby...
Next up was the sensors. I swapped over all except for the knock sensor under the intake manifold.
Crank position, oil pressure, 2 cam angle and the other random sensor just below the exhaust cam angle sensor were swapped. I read conflicting threads about the K24/K20 knock sensors. I opted to stay with the one on the K24.
A fresh valve cover gasket, new spark plugs using the K20 heat range and the 50* VTC were installed.
Lets see, what else...
Installing the water pump/housing as a whole was a straight forward swap. It bolted right up no issues. I used a fresh tube of Hondabond for all sealing surfaces.
I used the belt tensioner off the K24 as it was newer and felt tighter and more tensioner...ee than my older one.
The alternator bolted right up, no fitment issues, no shimming needed.
The a/c compressor bolted right up as well but was installed AFTER the engine went in. We dropped the engine using a cherry picker and wanted minimal things knocking around.
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