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About a month ago, the tranny in my Ford Explorer crapped out on me, so I was in the market for a new ride. After weeks of hunting on craigslist and other places, I found a guy with a '97 Civic EX for sale, and bought it. I know my way around a car, but I'm new to actually working on cars (and driving a manual tranny), so I'm in a little over my head in some ways. Lucky for me, I have you guys to help me out!
Anyway, I haven't done a whole lot so far, but I've changed the oil, spark plugs (NGK Iridiums) and tube seals, and knock sensor.

The goods:
-Engine runs
-Pretty decent interior
-Timing belt looks pretty new
-Sunroof works
-Short ram intake (off-brand, I'm gonna replace it soon)
-Header
-Exhaust (not sure if catback or just an autozone muffler. Not TOO ricey, but I want to replace with an Apexi WS2 catback)

The bads:
-Don't have it registered yet so I can't legally drive it (but that's also kinda good because I don't really risk breaking anything if it's not being driven)
-Power windows don't work
-Driver side power mirror doesn't work
-Stereo doesn't work
-Sloppy shifter (ordered some new polyurethane bushings to fix that)
-Runs a little rough when I let off the gas while in gear
-Valve cover has a bolt broken off inside it
-Clutch chatter when clutch is engaged (I think it's the input shaft bearing)
-Driver side front wheel lug is broken off
-CV shafts are going out (replacing these with my next paycheck)
-Inside driver side taillight is cracked
-Headlights are missing 1 mount each
-Some minor dents/scratches on the body

I've got a few goals for this car, in order of priority:
1. Get it mechanically sound and running well
2. Fix up the interior/lights
3. Make it pretty
4. Make it faster

Anyway, I'll put some pics up later. Oh sh*t, class starts in 3 minutes. These forums just suck people in for hours...

Thanks in advance for helping me out!

 
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Eventually I'd like for this to turn into a build thread, but for now it's kind of a call for help to get everything back in good working order lol.

Before my question gets lost though,
I bought new CV shafts today because they've been a bit rattly during sharp turns. For someone that has pretty limited experience in that kind of thing, would you guys recommend changing the shafts myself or should I take it to a pro to get it done?

Anyway, here are the pics:




Now some regarding the problems...

The broken lug


Took the door apart to try to fix the window


A bit hard to see, but this is the cracked taillight


It's not all bad with my 'Vic though! I got a headlight restoration kit today, and they're looking almost brand new. It was a 3M kit, just in case anyone was wondering. $22, and it worked pretty darn well IMO.

Before:

After:


Questions/comments/recommendations? I'd love to hear anyone's input.

 
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Why is the outer hull on the passenger side a different color than the rest of the car?

Good luck. Replacement OEM tail lights are cheap on Ebay.

 
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Honestly, I don't know why it's like that. That's how it was when I bought it. I see a paintjob coming in the near future though lol

 
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I gotta say you and I are in the same boat! except mine is a 98. black just like yours too. My passenger window goes up and down rather slow.. driver side doesn't work either. some differences would be that my driver axle is pretty much done. I need a new passenger fender, and i need a header as mine is cracked. anyway! I'm interested in what you will do and hope to see updates from you again soon ^_^ (yeah this is my first post... i just usually lurk around lol)

 
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Well, welcome to the forums from a fellow newbie! I'll definitely keep you posted. Let me know what happens with yours as well. Good thing about civics, headers aren't very expensive! You have any mods planned out for after you get your stuff fixed?

 
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Just another question:

I bought a set of Energy Suspension shifter stabilizer bushings, but they were the wrong ones. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement set of bushings for where the shifter comes out of the bottom of the car? It's REALLY loose. I have about 2-3 inches of left/right play in my shifter while in gear.