RE: 1996 Honda Civic in Northeasten Ohio
I don't know if this is correct or not, as I have no experience with 232s other than the fact that that my CJ came factory with a 1 barrel 232, but here is some info copied from another source:
The 232 can be identified by the 4th character of the engine build date code, stamped into the side of the engine block between and below the number 2 and 3 spark plugs. Early (Rambler) 232s have a "K" or "L" code (7.5:1 and 8.5:1 compression ratios respectively). Later (AMC) 232s have an "E" or an "F" (8.5:1 and 7.7:1 compression ratios respectively). All other codes (A, B, C and M) are used for 258 engines.