39 replies to this topic

[peaceloveREX]

Hey, I'm newww here. I'm from south jersey, and i'm a GIRL. just picked this up, i fell in love. needs some TLC, and I can't decide where to start...
its a 1986 dx, automatic.
runs. burns oil though...
I HATE THE COLOR.
minimal rust, see pics:














I was thinking for now, work on body work, get rid of the terrible wheels, go low... paint: everything that is blue nighthawk black? and repaint grey something more metallic?

INPUT PEOPLE!

[crxls]

welcome to RPR!

first things first... engine swap. get that old EW engine and auto trans out of there and throw in a B18 with manual trans. best upgrade you could ever make

oh, my 86 HF was originally this exact color but painted a solid dark blue years ago

[Sgt. Pepper]

Welcome! Nice start. How south is S. Jersey? First things first: a closer inspection of said rust. Looks like you also need new fenders at first glance. +1 on getting rid of those wheels. LOL

[peaceloveREX]

Yeah, I'd like to do a swap, but money and space is going to hold me off for now...
wheels are totally gone like asap though haha. also needs suspension work, struts & shocks are totally shot

oh and south jersey is alright, nothing special really.
thanks for the welcome

[crxls]

..... get rid of the terrible wheels ......

..... +1 on getting rid of those wheels. LOL

wheels are totally gone like asap though haha. .....

why all the hatin on the wheels? i'd trade my phone dials for those wheels in a hearbeat

[AndrewSi]

i think that is one of my favorite color combo's if i had an 85 Si that would be the color!

looks pretty good, get rid of that fart can! lol jk

[Sgt. Pepper]

why all the hatin on the wheels? i'd trade my phone dials for those wheels in a hearbeat

I would take that deal (and you know how much I hate the phonedials).

[crxls]

I would take that deal (and you know how much I hate the phonedials).

ok then. buy those wheels from her then trade me for my phonedials

i only like my phonedials cause they were $FREE and came with damn near new tires to destroy... which reminds me Jeff, im gonna be needing new tires again soon, what else you got laying around?

[ChrisF-dude]

LOL, I have those same wheels on my CRX! I plan on selling those when my tires finally come in, if CRXLS is interested. I'd say 1st, run some kerosene free engine flush thru the crankcase, flush the cooling system, replace the trans fluid, air filter spark plugs, plug wires, fuel filters, and with fresh oil in pour a can of Restore in the crankcase. If you plan to swap later, this may do the trick for a while. Did on my old Escort. Clean the carb with spray or tank additive. I kinda like the blue, but that's my opinion. Check with friends to see if anyone has friends in the autobody business. A lot do side work in this economy. Since people hesitate taking a car to a shop due the price some guys need extra $ they aren't getting at work and paint on the side. Take the seats out (4 bolts) and vac and shampoo the carpet.
I know Wilq bought a blue 86 dx a while ago so if you need specific parts he may have some and we can check. Otherwise, nice car, congrats and welcome.

[kaymo]

while those fenders are cracked, they are all there, which makes them candidates for plastic repair. i believe sarge is the closest to you that would know how to. id help ya but im all the way down here in NC.

yall might hate on the wheels and can, but at least the can is tucked nicely, and at least the wheels arent phonedials!

if you like the wheels, keep em, if not i would find some honda or acura factory wheels you like. you can usually find some used with tires for a good price on craigslist.


welcome to RPR! and you owe us a ghost story

[cbstdscott]

Welcome!

It is always nice to have a lady join our little social circle.

Nice project car. Look for rust under the car, particularly around the panhard bar support (just in front of the rear axle on the driver's side). A little rust is not fatal, a lot of rust means you must be part English (they restore cars that Californians would send to the scrap yard).

Scott

[PowerWheels86]

i agree with Kaymo, Ghost Story.... hahaha

[hatchbox]

Not a bad car to start with. It looks pretty complete and even has the header pannel although it's a different color. Do you prefer the Automatic over manual transmission? If so 86 and 87's are a great choice because they have the 4 speed auto's and anything earlier had a 3 speed. Just make sure not to run it low on fluid or have a transmission flush because it will mess up the transmisssion.

As far as the wheels go I don't think they are terrible. Maybe just paint them black. Also I used think phonedials were pretty ugly but a set ended up on my hatch and now I see them as oem bling.

Welcome to the site and I wish you good luck with with your car.

[1styearSI]

while those fenders are cracked, they are all there, which makes them candidates for plastic repair. i believe sarge is the closest to you that would know how to. id help ya but im all the way down here in NC.

yall might hate on the wheels and can, but at least the can is tucked nicely, and at least the wheels arent phonedials!

if you like the wheels, keep em, if not i would find some honda or acura factory wheels you like. you can usually find some used with tires for a good price on craigslist.


welcome to RPR! and you owe us a ghost story

i like the weels that are on the car.and kaymo why are you hating on phone-dials they are period correct for that whip,however i do like the ls meshes. i try to get wheel's that don't draw too much attention so they stay on the car. we don't all live in the boondocks like kaymo!!

[1styearSI]

if your willing to travel you should be able to find a good running ew motor for cheap. it only takes a few hours to change motor's a day at the most keep the auto,devac the carb. if you wanna go faster find a si motor (don't know what kinda chick you are.can you work on car's??)have the can reground, put duel Weber's on it and it will rip!!