Rep Power: 0

Well the garage is taking me longer then expected to finish, should be done tonight so I can flip the car around and put it on one side (finally). Here are the starting pictures. Previous owner had a dog that had some long *** nails (poor interior). Question now is, keep the motor stock and restore it as much as possible then sell it? Or should I gut it (again, poor interior) and use it for either a daily driver/auto-x? OR gut it and turn it into a rolling boombox SPL vehicle? I like too many things LOL. Poor engine needs at least a new set of seals so far. I'll know more by tomorrow after I tear into it finally.






At least it came with a K&N... although that restrictor plate in the box has to come out... what was that for anyways? Give V8's a chance? JK!


Duct tape! Like an entire roll LOL! Guess they ran out for the other door.




FILTHY D!


Check the custom exhaust


Nice oil puddle... and why is the oil pan so shiny? Hmmmmm....


OH, that's why. Thing drips like crazy from behind the crank pulley when it's running. At least the belts ok.


Front interior is not too bad, very dirty though.


The back is TRASHED. Upholstery shredded including the back of the driver seat.



Man I got my work cut out. So what do you guys think as far what route to go with this?

 
Rep Power: 412

Make it into an autox car.

Gut the inside - all you need is a seat, gauges, a shifter, and a steering wheel. Maybe a roll cage.

Get some doubly adjustable konis with some ground controls, sway bars, 13" lightweight rims and sticky tires.

Just make sure the engine runs!

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah, I know if I swap the motor it bumps me into another class. Could overhaul this one and maybe sneak in some stronger internals? I heard Sway-a-way makes (or made) a torsion bar kit for these civics. I know this thing is very light and would probably do well. Poly seats are cheap too. $1000 dollar auto-x car .

 
Rep Power: 0

Quick update:
Just got the back end gutted this afternoon and found MORE frickin' dog hair and dog food. Found out that the back seats can also recline and slide forwards and backwards like the fronts! Tripped me out. Anywho, I'll get some new pics up tomorrow.

 
Rep Power: 412

haha I just noticed the hose for the exhaust pipe...ghetto!! but it works.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah, the guy went through and pointed EVERY little problem out... that took about 30 minutes LOL. Look in front of the flex pipe and you'll see some coat-hanger wire holding up the straight tube. The exhaust will be the next thing after I get the motor to quit leaving puddles everywhere

 
Rep Power: 412

well if you put the work into it and you ensure there isn't much rust, then you should be good to go.

Replace the bushings, shocks, springs, camber kits, and sway bars.

Fix the engine and ensure it runs for now.

Gut the inside.

Sand blast it and paint it flat black or even better, with chalkboard paint!

BTW how much did you pay...I hope it wasn't more than like $200

 
Rep Power: 0

Mate thats awsome i am going to start ripping my 81 civic apart love those little things

 
Rep Power: 231

Please tell me someone paid you to take this thing.

 
Rep Power: 0

Alas, I PAID for it and yes I paid more then $200... I paid $250
But I have this compulsion to FIX. The guy was ready to just scrap it, but I saw hope. The paint is rock chipped to hell up front BUT Nu-Finish was able to bring most of the shine back. Didn't do the whole car yet until AFTER I get the clutch and seals in. I just got the clutch and main seal kits tonight... we lost 2 people at work and I've been pulling crazy shifts and FINALLY got a day off after 2 weeks. I'll try to get some pics up later when I get the trans out. The poll is dead even and I'm kinda torn between SPL or fix and sell. Already have box plans designed that will wall 4 15" subs and still leave the rear hatch usable. My boss want to buy it though to help with the commute cost. So just clean it up, seat covers all around, shampoo carpet, nice cd player/speakers and sell it for just under a grand? She offered a grand so far but I don't think I can take that much and still sleep at night LOL

 
Rep Power: 0

*UPDATE w/ pics* Click them if you want to go full-size.
Finally got some time in today. Was JUST going to do the clutch and front/rear main seals, but I got carried away and tore the whole thing down to a short block Anyway here's a bit of the problems I ran into other then having to replace EVERY gasket in the top end (they were ALL trash and ripped apart when anything seperated).

^Notice the "burnt" looking end... cam seal added to shopping list.^

^Fuel rail nut overtightened and broke the stud... stupid people I swear.^

^#4 Injector leaked... here's why, a smashed in seal... damn stupid people.^

^This head will a hot tank AFTER I use a jackhammer to remove the gasket.^
Then I'll port match the whole thing... might as well for fuel economy reasons

^Damn those are some HEAVY deposits. Cylinder walls are nice, but I may throw some new rings and rod bearings in there and give them a light hone while I'm doing everything else. I'll get some more pics tomorrow of the clutch that was in there... Never knew they could do what this one did. Pics can explain better then I can. Sorry for the book, just had to vent a bit. I knew getting a almost junkyard piece would take some work but alot of this was just STUPID crap that could have been avoided with regular service. Don't drive if you can't afford to take care of the thing! Oh well, only a hundred more things to left