Time for a long overdue update, and after many a setback, the engine is in!!
The first holdup (and reason for the epic delay) was a problem with my ARP headstuds. The problem was that the studs were for a D16A9, and i'm using an A2 block, which requires a longer stud behind the water pump. of course, no UK supplier had one in stock, so i had to order one from the states.
While I waited, I filled the engine mounts with window weld (y)
When that finally arrived, we went to get the block and gearbox in, only to find that the pilot bearing in the flywheel didn't fit on the gearbox input shaft. Turns out that the flywheel is made for 88+ gearboxes, with the smaller input shaft (despite being sold as a mk1 crx fly?). This was easily fixed with a new ball bearing
Also fitted a new main seal while i was in there
With that lot sorted, we finally got the block and gearbox in and the suspension, driveshafts etc. (stuck with the standard brakes for the time being, the teg ones are in desperate need of a rebuild!).
The next hurdle came when torquing up the head as one of the head bolt threads just didnt hold...
This was a bit of a bummer tbh... I didn't fancy ripping the whole lot out to replace the block, so I ordered a set of helicoils off ebay. I ended up using 1.5 coils to keep the depth of the thread similar to standard.
Thankfully the helicoil held when torquing the nuts up, so we'll have to wait and see if it causes any head gasket problems...
Next up was the F22 adjustable cam gears i had bought off ebay which required some 'adjusting' to fit correctly.
actually they only needed just over 1mm taking off the rear, but they did need a spacer making so that they could be torqued down. One of the PM7 gears made a noble sacrifice...
Next up was rockers, cams, timing belt, etc
finally the civic has an engine again!! i've since set about plumbing up various lines and connecting the loom and wiring in a main relay, but thats all pretty boring.
i've also picked up a new (hopefully quieter) stainless exhaust and a radiator and front breaks from a 16v crx, but they're almost as bad as the ones i have...
The first holdup (and reason for the epic delay) was a problem with my ARP headstuds. The problem was that the studs were for a D16A9, and i'm using an A2 block, which requires a longer stud behind the water pump. of course, no UK supplier had one in stock, so i had to order one from the states.
While I waited, I filled the engine mounts with window weld (y)
When that finally arrived, we went to get the block and gearbox in, only to find that the pilot bearing in the flywheel didn't fit on the gearbox input shaft. Turns out that the flywheel is made for 88+ gearboxes, with the smaller input shaft (despite being sold as a mk1 crx fly?). This was easily fixed with a new ball bearing
Also fitted a new main seal while i was in there
With that lot sorted, we finally got the block and gearbox in and the suspension, driveshafts etc. (stuck with the standard brakes for the time being, the teg ones are in desperate need of a rebuild!).
The next hurdle came when torquing up the head as one of the head bolt threads just didnt hold...
This was a bit of a bummer tbh... I didn't fancy ripping the whole lot out to replace the block, so I ordered a set of helicoils off ebay. I ended up using 1.5 coils to keep the depth of the thread similar to standard.
Thankfully the helicoil held when torquing the nuts up, so we'll have to wait and see if it causes any head gasket problems...
Next up was the F22 adjustable cam gears i had bought off ebay which required some 'adjusting' to fit correctly.
actually they only needed just over 1mm taking off the rear, but they did need a spacer making so that they could be torqued down. One of the PM7 gears made a noble sacrifice...
Next up was rockers, cams, timing belt, etc
finally the civic has an engine again!! i've since set about plumbing up various lines and connecting the loom and wiring in a main relay, but thats all pretty boring.
i've also picked up a new (hopefully quieter) stainless exhaust and a radiator and front breaks from a 16v crx, but they're almost as bad as the ones i have...
If we get another sunny weekend i'll do the drivers side to match, and finally get some lacquer on that door! When i've finished uni, have a job and another car (Porsche 944 or Mazda RX-7?
) i plan to strip the civic down, fix up the bodywork and have it resprayed black or something... thoughts for colors?
Serves me right for not replacing it in the first place really. Anyway, this got changed for an exedy road clutch on one weekend off from uni work
