12 replies to this topic

[Rampage]

Hey everybody,

I've finally found some spare time, and it looks like I will be pouring it into making my hooptie into something worth while.

Here is what it looks like now: (image links to more in gallery)




The Good:

1986 Civic DX Shell
1986 Civic Si Motor
Fuel Injection Conversion
Full Rear and Dashboard Harness Re-wired
Kill Switch and S2000 start button wired in with all stock connectors and stock relays
2.25" Manifold back exhaust, dual glasspack resonators
CRX Guage Cluster
Racing Buckets
CRX Steering Wheel
4G Civic Shift Knob
Short Throw Shifter
14x6 Volkswagen GTI 14-spoke Snowflakes, spraybombed black
185/60R-14 Yokohama AVS ES100 Summer Tires
EDM Taillights
Sheet Metal Spoiler
Bulldog Headlights
Cut out grille
Rear Bumper Air Relief

The Bad:

Lots of body rust
Stock front suspension, lowered, shocks barely do anything.
Cut Rear Coils
Fuel Pump mounted with zap-straps
Fuel Filter mounted with zap-straps
Radiator fan mounted with zap-straps
Brake Master Cylinder leaks
Taillight Electrical dim
Missing rear markers
Door Hinges causing door sag
Windshield Cracked
Rear quarter windows loose
Transmission oil leak
Sway bar bushings toast
Fuel line jutting into wheel well
Welding Pits on driver rear quarter window
Hood support bar bolt broken --> Flapping Hood
Noisy rocker arms
Fuel tank leaks on a full tank
Puffs blue --> rings
Bulldog Headlights coming apart
2 year old spraybomb paint job


So the car needs some work. Okay, a lot of work. Thats nothing! Recently I fixed some electrical gremlins that have been plaguing me since the last dashboard overhaul, namely having patched the start button power into the fan motor switch, which caused the car to turn over if I wanted to use the blower. I fixed that by tapping into radio ignition power. I had not properly wired in my HVAC panel illumination, which I also fixed. I also plugged the antenna into the back of the stereo as it was intended.

I took the entire dashboard out and went over things meticulously, making sure everything was perfect. I realigned my HVAC actuating cables, and put everything back as it was meant to be.

Needless to say the controls of the car are fairly solid and intuitive, with things working the way they are supposed to. I can finally use my blower again!

Here is what it looked like this morning:




And if anyone wants to know what wiring SHOULD look like under the dash, here's a few of the dash ready to be re-installed:








I have done this so many times and I never get sick of it


Here's one last one of the car parked at the shop (Aalltech is where I work as a transmission and general mechanic, I have the shop all to myself on Sundays if I want, as we are closed)




Comments welcome, I will update with the work I do as I go along, my plans are to fix the most important safety issues first, like the leaking brake master and fuel leaks. After that, things like the loose doors and windows, and then maybe some bondo and a re-paint.

Cheers,
Mark

Edited by Rampage, 04 September 2006 - 01:37 AM.

[lemons]

You are one dedicated mofo....

[badpenny]

You are one dedicated mofo....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

agreed

[projEKtjokes]

You are one dedicated mofo....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thats the best kind of mofo

[badpenny]

And this one got moved to projects.

[Screech]

Mark, sounds like you like wiring almost as much as I do. Looks good.

[kakabox]

The Good:
1986 Civic Si Motor

The Bad:
Puffs blue --> rings

I took the entire dashboard out and went over things meticulously...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Mark,
Is that the Kakabox's D15 that's puffing blue?

Good to see you spending a little time on the 'old dog'!

BTW, I took the entire dash out too...





...guess I wasn't as meticulous as you were!

Cheers!

[JEFFtheJ00la]

wow thought that car was gone!! nice to see it back....



my fuel pump is held on my sedan by the plastic cover that used to cover the fuel pump, lol. zap straps are your friend!!!

[Rampage]

J: Please tell me that wasn't a black dashboard. Tell me it was dark grey! Black dashes are hard to come by, and I still want another one! I think im gonna cry....

As for the Kakabox's motor, I finally solved the power loss issues (a de-vac solved the problem) and went to go take care of the leaking valve seals and found this:



It explained a lot, especially seeing as the motor was blowing all sorts of blue and the whole top end of the motor was black. With no other choice, I pulled the head off the motor that I had removed to put the kakabox motor in and did a midnight head job. Took me 12 hours, it was the first one I ever did:







It was relatively simple, stay clean and organized, make sure the motor is properly set-up on re-install. Fired up first time, had some problems with idle, so I modified the fast idle valve (lost fast idle, but at least it idles hot properly, which is more important) It was basically a seat-of-the-pants quickie repair, but the motor is great now! I put in new valves and valve seals, but it still blows blue cold and a little bit warm. That would be rings. Its not too bad, and the motor will go strong for a long time, so its on the back burner now.

Cheers,
Mark

Edited by Rampage, 04 September 2006 - 02:00 PM.

[badpenny]

what viscocity of oil are you using. I had a similar problem with my dx and went to a 10/40 and cleared it right up.

[Rampage]

10W-30, I should give some thicker oil a try....

[badpenny]

10W-30, I should give some thicker oil a try....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now, I am just saying that it should seeing that you said that you rebuilt (meaning replace the valve seals) the head, yeah, that and check your valve lash, and you should not have an issue.

Hell, run half and half in the engine. 2 quarts of 10/30 and 2 of 10/40

or a variety of combinations like 1 and 3 or 3 and 1, who knows if it is mild I would say just add a bottle to it, It may be enough to remedy the situation.

[kakabox]

J:  Please tell me that wasn't a black dashboard.  Tell me it was dark grey!  Black dashes are hard to come by, and I still want another one!  I think im gonna cry....

As for the Kakabox's motor, I finally solved the power loss issues (a de-vac solved the problem) and went to go take care of the leaking valve seals and found this:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah, it looked black to me... Opps. Let's just say it was dark grey and move on! I got tired of tripping over it in the shop, so it had to go.

Looks like a spun cam bearing...nice! Before you came and got the engine I thought it was an original 'never-had-the-head-off' motor. When I yanked the motor I noticed a 'warrantee voided if removed' button on the head. So I think the head was replace/rebuilt at some point and the bottom end is original. I would not be surprised if the rings were toast. I am surprised about the spun cam bearing however...although, when my neighbor gave me the car, it had no oil registering on the dip stick; maybe he ran it dry.