Breath life into old Engine

I have a 90 integra LS with about 170,000 miles on it. The engine sounds tired. Should I overhaul it? New pistons? Valves? Pulleys? Cams? Or should I just get a rebuilt motor. Whats is the most cost effective? I am not build a track car. Just something reliabe and quick

it'd cost less to do it yourself, plus if you want to build it up a little to get some more power out of it, nows the time!

yea defintaly do it yourelf. ull screw up a couple of times but ull learn alot. but u will probably need professional help for some things.

i.e. don't bite off more than u can chew.

did a compression and leakdown tell you that, or is that an assumption?

^^I think he's telling you to do a compression and leakdown test before you decide to tear a decent engine apart......

How much does that cost? My engine squeaks like a hamster wheel or something. I think it may be a piston bearing or something Plus my Idle bounces around. It only loops before it warms up but after it warms up the idle bounces around maybe 100 rpms or so....It's just not steady.

the squeaking might be a belt or pulley, which is normal for a older engine

a compression and leakdown will probably run you what ever a shop charges for an estimate, but that will give you a very good look into your motor