I agree there does not seem to be anything authoritative out
there other than some anecdotes about specific engine swaps
(though unfortunately none that I've found so far that is
exactly the configuration you are attempting).

FWIW, www.hondaswap.com is a forum specialized to Honda
engine swaps. I see it has a "Civic and CRX - EW" board,
with recent participation. Registration appears to be free.

This newsgroup does not see much discussion about the
vagaries of engine head/block etc. swapping.

snip

I would call Majestic and ask them, to cover all bases.

Of course, as I'm sure you are aware, it could be something
completely unrelated to the two heads.

You have found what I have been discovering the past 2 weeks - nothing
but conflciting data exists for years 1984 thru 1987 when it comes to
engine blocks, heads, and engine numbers. Its very frustrating. But
thanks for all the good links - there was a lot of good information in
them - unfortunately nothing I could use. Even though Chilton and
Haynes say nothing about major differences between 87 D15A2 blocks and
heads and previous 84 thru 86 EW1 blocks and heads - I noticed that the
locating dowel pins are in different locations on the EW1 block and
D15A2 head - but everything else bolts up fine. There are 3 Studs in
place of head bolts on the block so I figured the head and gasket could
not be off enough to make a difference. But there could be a major
difference between an EW1 camshaft and a D15A2 camshaft which is
causing my problem. I cannot find any information anywhere to verify it
one way or the other.
I will run a compression test tomorrow to see if it tells me anything.
Thanks!
Tom

Site http://www.superhonda.com/tech/honda_engine_codes.html 
says the D15a2 goes with the Honda CRX HF (Carbed) 1984-1987

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_E_engine says
the EW1 was used on
 a.. 1984-1985 Honda Civic/CRX DX (unlabeled)
 b.. 1984-1986 Honda Civic
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1301391 suggests
different.

Looking up the camshafts and cylinder heads for these models
at hondaautomotiveparts.com unfortunately suggests the EW1
and D15A2 have different heads and camshafts.

That's just the book side. Maybe ask also at
http://honda-tech.com/ . Searching for {EW1 swap} and then
{D15a2 swap} turns up some chatter about things to watch out
for. I don't see any discussion about swapping between
between the E series and D series. Perhaps for some obvious
reason over my head...

Hi All-

I have an 87 Honda civic 4 door sedan 5-speed that has been sitting at
my brothers place for at least 6 years now. It broke the camshaft due
to low oil (completely my fault) and wasted the camshaft journals in
the head. I bought an 87 head from a junk yard - D15A2 - and had a
valve job done on it. I was in the process of re-installing the head
this week when I noticed something I was not aware of. I was checking
the engine block ID and noticed it is an EW1 block - NOT a D15A2 which
shows on the engine tag just above and to the left of the radiator. It
seems someone had replace the original engine with an older EW1 engine
before I bought the car. I have finished installing the head and
connected Intake and exhaust manifolds, and all other devices needed.
It starts right up and revs to approx 2500 RPM then immediately shuts
down. If you "feather" the gas it will stay running (although very
rough), and immediately dies if you let off the gas. I also get an
occasional backfire.

I have checked all vaccum hoses and lines 3 or 4 times. I have blocked
off all of the main manifold ports to eliminate manifold vacuum leaks.
I have made sure the valves are adjusted correctly and that the
camshaft pulley marks are where they should be at TDC. I just cant seem
to pinpoint the problem.

I am now wondering if there is a difference in the heads between a EW1
and D15A2 engine that would explain my problem. I bought the D15A2 head
and camshaft from an 87 manual transmission Civic - could there be a
difference in camshaft specs between an EW1 and D15A2 engine. I am not
sure what year the EW1 engine is from but I have the serial number in
case there is a way to cross reference engine numbers to years.

Any ideas?

Tom