EL 1.6L ENGINE

The EK1 (or EK) 1.8l engine was manufactured by Honda Motor Company between 1979-1983 for the 1st generation Honda Accord, 1st generation Honda Prelude, 1st generation Honda Vigor and early 2nd generation Honda Accord models. Introduced new for the 1979 model year, it replaced the standard EF 1.6L in US Accords. It was a water cooled, SOHC 12-Valve CVCC engine with a displacement of 1.8L (1751CC). Output varied as the engine went through two updates during it's production. Most notably was the introduction of the CVCC-II emission setup in late 1980 models. The EK 1.8l engine was standard in Japanese and US Markets. All other markets worldwide had standard the EL 1.6L engine. Transmission choices were an automatic 2spd/3spd or manual 5 speed.

Minor engine issues are known to occur, especially the cylinder head warping, causing a blown head gasket. The immense heat generated from the combined exhaust/intake setup could not exchange fast enough to the iron block, resulting in warpage. Honda tired to remedy this with an updated cylinder revision to help dissipate the heat, which lowered temps dramatically. Clogged CVCC valves and incorrect wear on the oil pump gear are also issues to look for.

Overview

Displacement 1.6 L (1,602 cc)
Inline four cylinder, transverse
77mm bore x 86mm stroke (3.031 in × 3.386 in)
Cast iron block & aluminum cylinder head
Redline limit - 6,000 RPM
Two barrel Keihin Carburetor w/ manual choke
Electronic Ignition
Belt driven timing gear
Liquid Cooled - Thermostat controlled fan
Electric Fuel Pump
Oil Cooler (or provision on the block)
HF-3 = Automatic / HF-5 = Manual

Engine Block

Cast iron block with integrated water pump insert and large oil passages. Three versions exist (689, PB2 PC1) with additional manufacturing refinements and accessory bolt holes. Blocks are identical for both manual and auto trans per there version. They essentially the same as the EK 1.8l blocks, but with minor changes.

Specs

77mm bore x 94mm stroke (3.03 in × 3.70 in)

1979 - 1981 CVCC Cylinder Head (676)

Six port cylinder head (4 intake ports / 2 exhaust ports) for 1979-1981 models.

USDM EK1-1500001~ Prelude (1979 49 S)
USDM EK1-1000001~ Prelude (1979 CALI)
USDM EK1-1900001~ Prelude (1979 HI-AL)
USDM EK1-2500001~ Prelude (1980 49 S)
USDM EK1-2000001~ Prelude (1980 CALI Manual)
USDM EK1-2300001~ Prelude (1980 CALI Auto)
USDM EK1-2900001~ Prelude (1980 HI-AL)
JDM EK-1000001~ & EK1200001~ Engines Prelude (SN100-110 Models)
Note - 1980 California Automatic models used the newer PB2 cylinder head design only during this year for emission standards.
Intake valve diameter (34mm), Exhaust valve diameter (28mm). Aux valve diameter (12mm).

Specs

8:0:1 Compression
72 HP @ 4500 RPM
- 68 HP @ 4500 RPM w/ Hondamatic '79 & '80 Models
94 ft lb Torque @ 3000 RPM
- 94 ft lb Torque @ 3500 RPM w/ Hondamatic '79 Model
- 94 ft lb Torque @ 2500 RPM w/ Hondamatic '80 Model

Engine Weight w/ Trans

5spd - 338.5lbs (153.5kg)
Auto - 338.7lbs (153.6kg)

689 Cam Profile

Two camshaft profiles were used on the manual/auto for these years. NOTE - '80 CALI models used the PB2 Cam profile with newer engine.

MANUAL TRANS CAM# 14110-689-000
- AUX IN CAM HEIGHT - 43.737 - 44.057MM
- MAIN IN CAM HEIGHT - 37.923 - 38.163MM
- MAIN EX CAM HEIGHT - 38.004 - 38.244MM

AUTO TRANS CAM# 14110-689-900
- AUX IN CAM HEIGHT - 43.737 - 44.057MM
- MAIN IN CAM HEIGHT - 37.546 - 37.786MM
- MAIN EX CAM HEIGHT - 37.628 - 37.868MM

Japanese versions of the 689 used different profiles throughout the two years.

79 Manual JDM# 14110-689-000
79 Auto JDM# 14110-689-900
80 Manual JDM# 14110-689-010
80 Auto JDM# 14110-689-901

Notes

Brand new for 1979 Accord and Prelude models, it essentially was a beefier version of the previously used EF 1.6l cylinder head on a longer block.