My friends 95 Civic has the following symptoms:

1. Leaking coolant from waterpump area
2. High-pressure around radiator causing overflow from that area
3. Car doesn't turn over sometimes when coolant is low
4. Constant overheating with temp gauge at top range
5. LOTS of smoke from muffler when car starts and gas is pressed

 

And what should i tell him to do?

fix problems or buy another engine and if so, what engines would fit in a 1995 civic sedan

 

Could be anything, but from what your saying he either has a bad rad, or head gasket!

 

sounds like a blown headgasket to me.
When the headgasket is blown, exhaust gas gets into the cooling system pressurizing it and coolant gets into the combustion chamber causing all of the smoke you are seeing.

 

sounds like a headgasket.

Do a leakdown test or a compression test.

 

I agree with the headgasket issue. I also know that the waterpump needs to be replaced...

that being said, i would think swapping engines would be smarter?

what you guys tink?