After sitting for 4+ years, belts are toast, bolts are frozen. Never had as hard of a time with an alternator bolt before. Getting that tested today, and more than likely getting a new one, have timing belt, tensioner, water pump on the way. Hope to get that done this weekend so I can get her on the road.
Got a lot done this weekend. Removed all the AC stuff, power steering (keeping the ps shaft without all the hardware, so we'll see how that goes...if it sucks I'll pick up non-ps), started on the timing belt/water pump, removed the fender to replace with the one from parts car, and replaced alternator...
Bolt was seized on this rusty bitch. Never had as hard a time removing an alt before...
My first attempts at getting the crank pulley off...
1)electric impact + 17mm deep socket...
new socket, still no go with impact
2)Rest bolt of body and give it a go with breaker bar...
3) Two Gr.8 bolts, pry bar, breaker, pipe extension = cha ching
This is my first attempt at timing belt/tensioner/water pump so I'm learning here.
Here's what the garage has looked like most of the weekend...
Found a nest in my bumper!
Luckily no rodents.
I did get scared shitless yesterday though when I was removing all the AC lines through the firewall. I ended up getting them out, then see a furry little snout come through the hole. I screamed like a little girl. Forgot my dog was in the car :oops:
Swapped all the doors with the donor car this week...they are a bit cleaner and have a rad white pin stripe that will bring in the wheels and white stickers. I'm likin it so far, just need to figure out what to do about the rear quarter pin stripe to match.
The helper...he loves just hangin out in the cars when I'm working on them.
Lining up, fenders on, corners in...
NO DENT!
Painted the valve cover...
Got all the door panels, fenders, bumper, radiator, new alternator back in. Plan on installing the timing belt and water pump tomorrow, as well as all the interior and hopefully get her on the road by Sunday.
I did get scared shitless yesterday though when I was removing all the AC lines through the firewall. I ended up getting them out, then see a furry little snout come through the hole. I screamed like a little girl. Forgot my dog was in the car :oops:
props for doing it for yourself...
and for your first time.
i had my first water pump experience a few months ago.
A lot easier to take it apart than get it back together (other than the crank bolt), but last night got it all done. Had to re-do the timing belt 3 times before I got it right. Fired it up and she purred like a kitten.
I'm also taking this time to touche up a little surface rust in a few spots since I have the floor trim off and may sand down the quarter panels and hit with some rust inhibitor until I can go full force. I'm really leaning toward some fender flares mainly for the clearance and so I won't have to deal with fixing the quarters, just cut them out, as it'd be fun to take off some jumps, but not sure how'd work out with stock wheels.
Plan today is to finish up the interior (need to switch seat rails on a couple seats), having trouble getting one of the speaker pods out of the parts car :x , get those in, replace exhaust, put on rear bumper, line up front bumper a bit better, and take her for a spin to see what else is up as I haven't driven her yet.
and take her for a spin to see what else is up as I haven't driven her yet.
Front brakes are seized and all bushings/ball joints up front are pretty shot. I've got new upper control arms, inner/outer tie rods, and lower ball joints on their way. Will pick up caliper rebuild kits, rotors, pads and brake fluid today. Also need to figure out a way to press these new OE bushings into the lower control arms without a press. Also after taking it around the block, I checked the oil and it's a little milky...I'm hoping head gasket is ok especially after doing this timing belt/water pump.
Last time I pick up a car that's been sitting for 5 years...especially a New England car.
Ok I replaced the upper control arms, rotors, pad, outer tie rods, lower ball joints, lower control arm bushing, sway bar bushings.
Cracked and nasty...
The goods...
Get that ball joint out!
New upper control arms..
All in...
Took her for a spin around the block and she did surprisingly well...no issues other than a slight pull which is to be expected without a real alignment. Already fun in the snow we had! Can't wait to really rip around!
BUT when I got back I noticed some smoke coming out of the hood.......radiator. Damn. Ok, so I have snagged the one out of the CRX along with the slim fan. I'll get a replacement for that come spring as she's not using it. But damnit I just filled up all that coolant. :?
Old:
New:
Replacing the rear dif fluid wasn't too bad, but god damn Honda for their transmission fill bolts that always want to strip. 1 out of every 2 I go to try and do end up stripping. Soaked with PB, heated up, nothing. Luckily I didn't undo the drain plug first.
Did some temporary body work to hold the rust at bay. I think come spring I am going to do some fender flares...but for now, this'll do.
Look what you find under there...
Sanded and rust inhibitor applied...
More
The tools...
My rear bumper support fell into pieces, so now I've gotta figure something out for a brace for the bumper cover. I just got a welder so I'm hoping I can figure something out to work.
Man I can't believe I haven't made much more progress since then. I've been sick for the past 5 weeks off and on and finally went to the doc last Friday...i've been battling bronchitis. Got some meds so I hope to get better so I can get this crap done. The cold weather and snow sure hasn't helped either.
Anyway, I'm currently working on fabbing up a rear bumper support. Don't know how it's going to come out, as this is my first metal working project, and well I guess we'll see. I'm using some L bar from an old bed frame. It's sturdy as crap so it should hold up well...now getting it all to line up is another question...I'm trying to keep it a cheap project as bar stock is expensive, so just doing so with what I have, other than picking up some cheap bolts/nuts/washers at lowes.
Rear bumper off donor car...
work bench...measuring...cutting...welding...
To get it bend a bit with the bumper...introducing two blocks of wood and a big friggen hammer...
Only my second time welding, first time with this welder. No gas, so kind of crappy welds. Should hold ok though.
Parts car is becoming less and less, but more snow making it more difficult...
Interior coming along, just need to get the bottoms of the speaker pods on the the miscelaneous plastic odds and ends I've got hanging around the garage. With the age and condition of the CD player and speakers, I'd expect to sound a lot worse, but not too bad for now. I'll upgrade those later.
Pretty much just need to finish the rear support, weld up the exhaust, get her aligned and inspected and should be set. I'm waiting on a non-power steering rack I may replace as I don't know if it will pass inspection with the power steering stuff being gone and the lines just being JB welded. It works fine, but just visually may not pass. I will see what they say. Also need to add an underdash A/C delete after removing the AC so I can get some good heat flow. That is on the way as well! Now I just need to be healthy to do it all!!
How she's sitting right now while I work in the garage. MORE SNOW!
I did take it about 20 mile round trip to pick up a generator (year we live out in the boonies), and it did great. What a blast to drive around in the snow.
Thanks dudes. Although I'm still pretty sick, I got a few things done today:
Rear bumper support done, and on, along with mud flaps...I'm pissed off at myself though because I took a lot of pictures of the support off the car and compared to the old one so I could provide you guys with some sort of how-to. I deleted the pictures and didn't realize it until I got the bumper on the car...it was a pain in the ass and it's not coming off. Next time I have it off though, I'll take measurements and what not. One thing I would have done differently next time is spend a little extra on flat head, black bolts to secure the support to the bumper skin as you can see they stick out a little...
Underneath...
Looks pretty good for using a bed frame to make!
Mud flaps look to be angled a little...is that normal?
I also have some updated shots of the interior and I'm working on welding up the exhaust tonight. I'm pretty run down though so I may just hold off on that.
Mud flaps look to be angled a little...is that normal?
i dont think so; when installing these; you kinda have to bend them in
to where they actually go... maybe not bend but hold them firmly in
position then tighten the screw- the one screw inside the wheel-well
will help pull the flap into the correct position...
Well a while ago when doing the timing belt and what not, I removed the AC and all power steering stuff. I ended up capping off the rack lines, and it did fine, steeringwise (although the wife bitches about it being too tough to parallel park and what not ). My worry though was passing safety inspection, so I ended up sourcing a non-power steering rack from a CRX and installed that, along with a new end rack bushing, inner and outer tie rods. Took a shit ton of pics of the process but I won't bore you with the process. May put together a how-to if anyone's interested.
I've ended up getting annoyed with the bumper that was on there as the corner was bent and wouldn't sit flush. So I ended up yankin the one from the donor car even though it's a bit more chewed up. At least it sits flush and doesn't look terrible. I'm considering painting the front and rear bumpers with black trim paint in the future. Not in a hurry for that, but eventually. Pics later.
Also got the exhaust all welded up and on.
Took it to get aligned (damn that was a long 20 minute drive...toe was so out of wack from 'eyeballin it'.) and inspected, registered. All was good except they discovered a short in my brake wiring. Some of the wiring on the tail light harness was loose, so I just swapped from the donor car - problem fixed. So great to finally have it road-worthy. I do notice there is a noise coming from the front right when I hit a bump sometimes...need to check that out.
Also, after heading out to the bars last night, my pregnant wife ended up having to climb through the rear hatch due to me forgetting that the key doesn't work on the doors (forgot to swap out the locks when I changed over the doors! ). That had to have looked funny, and she thought it was funny so I didn't get in too much trouble.
Current plans:
* Replacing the nasty rear speakers in the pods with some 6.5s I've had sitting around that are in pretty good shape.
* Roof is noisy when driving from the wind, and sounds like the supports need resealed. Will do that and while I have the headliner out, I'm going to do another fun headliner (I'm thinking red/gray plaid).
* Swap door locks and window regulators for front doors (hopefully the ones in the donor car are good as these are bad)
* Picked up a wood grain shift knob...currently in search of a wood grain steering wheel - need to figure out what it would take to make something like this wheel work (any input on a hub/adapter to make it compatible?)
* Amber tint bumper and corner lights
* Newer head unit
* Start sourcing new seats
* Got a 5 panel wink mirror on the way to replace the small stocker
* Tow hooks on the way - honestly, I'm opposed to tow hooks (I'm more function over bling hard parking stuff), but I'm planning on racing this thing at a couple rallycrosses in Feb and being my first one, they mentioned tow hooks are a good investment
hey it might be easier to switch out ignition switch/ignition and use the key from the
donar car---- definitly easer than swaping out all the doors...
im fairly sure its a couple of screws and just unplugs...?
Comments
After sitting for 4+ years, belts are toast, bolts are frozen. Never had as hard of a time with an alternator bolt before.
Bolt was seized on this rusty bitch. Never had as hard a time removing an alt before...
My first attempts at getting the crank pulley off...
1)electric impact + 17mm deep socket...
new socket, still no go with impact
2)Rest bolt of body and give it a go with breaker bar...
3) Two Gr.8 bolts, pry bar, breaker, pipe extension = cha ching
This is my first attempt at timing belt/tensioner/water pump so I'm learning here.
Here's what the garage has looked like most of the weekend...
Found a nest in my bumper!
Luckily no rodents.
I did get scared shitless yesterday though when I was removing all the AC lines through the firewall. I ended up getting them out, then see a furry little snout come through the hole. I screamed like a little girl. Forgot my dog was in the car :oops:
The helper...he loves just hangin out in the cars when I'm working on them.
Lining up, fenders on, corners in...
NO DENT!
Painted the valve cover...
Got all the door panels, fenders, bumper, radiator, new alternator back in. Plan on installing the timing belt and water pump tomorrow, as well as all the interior and hopefully get her on the road by Sunday.
and for your first time.
i had my first water pump experience a few months ago.
nice picture!
x2. Awesome. 8)
hovercraft...
?
ohwell...
:shock:
A lot easier to take it apart than get it back together (other than the crank bolt), but last night got it all done. Had to re-do the timing belt 3 times before I got it right. Fired it up and she purred like a kitten.
I'm also taking this time to touche up a little surface rust in a few spots since I have the floor trim off and may sand down the quarter panels and hit with some rust inhibitor until I can go full force. I'm really leaning toward some fender flares mainly for the clearance and so I won't have to deal with fixing the quarters, just cut them out, as it'd be fun to take off some jumps, but not sure how'd work out with stock wheels.
Plan today is to finish up the interior (need to switch seat rails on a couple seats), having trouble getting one of the speaker pods out of the parts car :x , get those in, replace exhaust, put on rear bumper, line up front bumper a bit better, and take her for a spin to see what else is up as I haven't driven her yet.
Kenny
Front brakes are seized and all bushings/ball joints up front are pretty shot. I've got new upper control arms, inner/outer tie rods, and lower ball joints on their way. Will pick up caliper rebuild kits, rotors, pads and brake fluid today. Also need to figure out a way to press these new OE bushings into the lower control arms without a press. Also after taking it around the block, I checked the oil and it's a little milky...I'm hoping head gasket is ok especially after doing this timing belt/water pump.
Last time I pick up a car that's been sitting for 5 years...especially a New England car.
Cracked and nasty...
The goods...
Get that ball joint out!
New upper control arms..
All in...
Took her for a spin around the block and she did surprisingly well...no issues other than a slight pull which is to be expected without a real alignment. Already fun in the snow we had! Can't wait to really rip around!
BUT when I got back I noticed some smoke coming out of the hood.......radiator. Damn. Ok, so I have snagged the one out of the CRX along with the slim fan. I'll get a replacement for that come spring as she's not using it. But damnit I just filled up all that coolant. :?
Old:
New:
Replacing the rear dif fluid wasn't too bad, but god damn Honda for their transmission fill bolts that always want to strip. 1 out of every 2 I go to try and do end up stripping. Soaked with PB, heated up, nothing. Luckily I didn't undo the drain plug first.
Did some temporary body work to hold the rust at bay. I think come spring I am going to do some fender flares...but for now, this'll do.
Look what you find under there...
Sanded and rust inhibitor applied...
More
The tools...
My rear bumper support fell into pieces, so now I've gotta figure something out for a brace for the bumper cover. I just got a welder so I'm hoping I can figure something out to work.
Got some snow.......
and the wagon's dyin to get out!
Anyway, I'm currently working on fabbing up a rear bumper support. Don't know how it's going to come out, as this is my first metal working project, and well I guess we'll see. I'm using some L bar from an old bed frame.
Rear bumper off donor car...
work bench...measuring...cutting...welding...
To get it bend a bit with the bumper...introducing two blocks of wood and a big friggen hammer...
Only my second time welding, first time with this welder. No gas, so kind of crappy welds. Should hold ok though.
Parts car is becoming less and less, but more snow making it more difficult...
Interior coming along, just need to get the bottoms of the speaker pods on the the miscelaneous plastic odds and ends I've got hanging around the garage. With the age and condition of the CD player and speakers, I'd expect to sound a lot worse, but not too bad for now. I'll upgrade those later.
Pretty much just need to finish the rear support, weld up the exhaust, get her aligned and inspected and should be set. I'm waiting on a non-power steering rack I may replace as I don't know if it will pass inspection with the power steering stuff being gone and the lines just being JB welded. It works fine, but just visually may not pass. I will see what they say. Also need to add an underdash A/C delete after removing the AC so I can get some good heat flow. That is on the way as well! Now I just need to be healthy to do it all!!
How she's sitting right now while I work in the garage. MORE SNOW!
I did take it about 20 mile round trip to pick up a generator (year we live out in the boonies), and it did great. What a blast to drive around in the snow.
Rear bumper support done, and on, along with mud flaps...I'm pissed off at myself though because I took a lot of pictures of the support off the car and compared to the old one so I could provide you guys with some sort of how-to. I deleted the pictures and didn't realize it until I got the bumper on the car...it was a pain in the ass and it's not coming off. Next time I have it off though, I'll take measurements and what not. One thing I would have done differently next time is spend a little extra on flat head, black bolts to secure the support to the bumper skin as you can see they stick out a little...
Underneath...
Looks pretty good for using a bed frame to make!
Mud flaps look to be angled a little...is that normal?
I also have some updated shots of the interior and I'm working on welding up the exhaust tonight. I'm pretty run down though so I may just hold off on that.
i dont think so; when installing these; you kinda have to bend them in
to where they actually go... maybe not bend but hold them firmly in
position then tighten the screw- the one screw inside the wheel-well
will help pull the flap into the correct position...
I also forgot to mention I got the underdash A/C delete in so now I've got heat! 8)
Snapped a couple shots of the interior...not perfect, but much better than that crap I started with...
The crappy CD player I yanked out of the donor car came with a free gangsta CD.
When you had the socket on the main-pulley bolt. Which way is it to loosen it? Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
Counter clockwise. And it's a mother f*cker.
I need to pull the main pulley from a DOHC ZC (engines on the ground though... so it might be tricky to hold it still...)
I've ended up getting annoyed with the bumper that was on there as the corner was bent and wouldn't sit flush. So I ended up yankin the one from the donor car even though it's a bit more chewed up. At least it sits flush and doesn't look terrible. I'm considering painting the front and rear bumpers with black trim paint in the future. Not in a hurry for that, but eventually. Pics later.
Also got the exhaust all welded up and on.
Took it to get aligned (damn that was a long 20 minute drive...toe was so out of wack from 'eyeballin it'.) and inspected, registered. All was good except they discovered a short in my brake wiring. Some of the wiring on the tail light harness was loose, so I just swapped from the donor car - problem fixed. So great to finally have it road-worthy. I do notice there is a noise coming from the front right when I hit a bump sometimes...need to check that out.
Also, after heading out to the bars last night, my pregnant wife ended up having to climb through the rear hatch due to me forgetting that the key doesn't work on the doors (forgot to swap out the locks when I changed over the doors!
Current plans:
* Replacing the nasty rear speakers in the pods with some 6.5s I've had sitting around that are in pretty good shape.
* Roof is noisy when driving from the wind, and sounds like the supports need resealed. Will do that and while I have the headliner out, I'm going to do another fun headliner (I'm thinking red/gray plaid).
* Swap door locks and window regulators for front doors (hopefully the ones in the donor car are good as these are bad)
* Picked up a wood grain shift knob...currently in search of a wood grain steering wheel - need to figure out what it would take to make something like this wheel work (any input on a hub/adapter to make it compatible?)
* Amber tint bumper and corner lights
* Newer head unit
* Start sourcing new seats
* Got a 5 panel wink mirror on the way to replace the small stocker
* Tow hooks on the way - honestly, I'm opposed to tow hooks (I'm more function over bling hard parking stuff), but I'm planning on racing this thing at a couple rallycrosses in Feb and being my first one, they mentioned tow hooks are a good investment
hey it might be easier to switch out ignition switch/ignition and use the key from the
donar car---- definitly easer than swaping out all the doors...
im fairly sure its a couple of screws and just unplugs...?
in for moar pix!!