Wow! I'm in an almost identical situation. Picked an '89 CRX Si up for $500 with a dead engine that the owner claimed had a 'bearing problem'. Tires [cords fraying!] & muffler were shot but the body/interior was in great condition. After dragging it home, waited 'til after Christmas to fire it up. Had planned on getting a proper motor but who among us won't see how/if the original ran.
. Found a good battery lying around and tried to turn engine over. Nothing. Starter relay wouldn't engage but the dash lit up nicely. Sunroof worked!
Found an alarm system in the dash and rewired harness back to oe condition. Before attempting to restart, checked the oil level.....nonexistent.
Added a couple of quarts. Checked the coolant. nonexistent
Added several GALLONS until the you could hear water trickling down the back of the block onto the steering rack
. Added some more coolant. Now OIL was running down the front of the block, on the direct opposite side of the block where the coolant was running
.
Closer inspection of the block revealed a hole the size of your fist clean through BOTH sides as a rod had let go.
Just a slight 'bearing' problem
.
eMkay: Is your car going to be finished in time for the start of the season.
Robert J.