1.4 VTEC? I don't think there were any D14 Civics with a VTEC.
Seems like you have a '88-'91 Civic w/ a D14 SOHC engine.
Just go through and check your hoses for cracks, change the oil if that hasn't been done recently, make sure any wires aren't corroded, check the coolant level, check the spark plugs/spark plug wires which should be replaced usually every 30k miles, etc...
Visit http://www.honda-tech.com/zeromain and post/read a bit there, people are willing to help and you can learn a lot.