79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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Sept 24, 2007 6:23:27 GMT
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I've been blundering around here for a few weeks now & have a bunch of toys I could show but this is the one that's my favorite, on the road & daily driven. I liked seeing some of the 'progress' pics of the cars here & I recently re-found a bunch of old pics showing of the ordeals my car has been through so I thought I should share & put them in perspective with the cars history! Here is the Accord soon after I first bought it from it's 1st owner; my aunt who traded in her mothers Rover 3500 P6 to buy it. By the time it became mine it was still only 11 years old & basically sound, but the rear bumper had been hit on the freeway, the front one had also been re-shaped, the paint had spider webs of surface rust beneath it from lack of polishing & her husband-to-be & his brother had each backed into a front fender, driveshaft CV joints were stuffed, battery expired & she was using it as a kennel, so her dog had dug through the back seat & the fronts weren't much better. Dad assisted in having new driveshafts fitted & taking it to a local panelshop to attack the frt fenders, though unfortunately they only bashed them around roughly & irreparably before slathering them with filler...& didn't even get the shapes right as they did so!       Still it was my first car & I learned to drive in it before I had a chance to repair it properly, replacing its seats & sourcing & repairing replacement panels. A pair of old aftermarket guards I'd bought consigned to the junk pile, and second hand parts customized by welding closed the holes for oversized side indicators.   Then it was time for a repaint & stripping it back to factory primer & bare metal everywhere its finish was contaminated by the surface rust, before smoothing its sides of numerous small door dings.    Finally, repainted during holidays!   After all that work I didn't even have a chance to get it polished & fully reassembled before I damaged it seriously. This was the damage NOT PRETTY.           The whole front was whacked across, severely crushing one frame rail. Well beyond my repair & equipment abilities... I couldn't repair it any time soon! |
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Last Edit: Mar 28, 2020 4:47:32 GMT by 79cord
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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Sept 24, 2007 6:28:26 GMT
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part 2 ----------- Eventually & after buying another Accord & my CR-X I finally start to get it sorted again, stripping out the engine bay & taking it for professional (& expensive) attention straightening its front structure before I worked on massaging it's front panels back into shape rather than just replacing them. - I had already gone through enough effort in finding some good panels that fitted properly & thought it worth a try repairing them. In the end only the front valance, radiator support, a portion of the LH frame rail & bumper were replaced!    Since it was off the road anyway I also took the time to hide much of its engine bay wiring, relocate its battery, de-badge it (20 holes welded!), remove its rear wiper, de-lock & add a remote fuel-flap release. As well as upgrade its brakes (including rear discs) & convert it to the 4x100 wheel stud pattern more commonly used on newer Honda... & I pretty much repainted it again.      & finally it all went back together & back on the road, with some new wheels to make it special, though there's still plenty to do so I've never gotten around to putting all its trim back on! I've been using it daily for a few years now since then, so I must admit it could do with some more attention again though... 
The CR-X SiR, & intermediate Accord.     |
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Last Edit: Mar 28, 2020 5:06:37 GMT by 79cord
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luckygti
Posted a lot
I need to try harder!
Posts: 4,912
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Sept 24, 2007 6:51:24 GMT
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Nice looking car, and cool that you've held onto it. Wish I'd had the chance..... So many good cars......
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Sept 24, 2007 7:12:33 GMT
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Great result in the end, what a honey!
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Sept 24, 2007 7:14:45 GMT
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...and I love the Z!!
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Sept 24, 2007 21:27:45 GMT
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As a recent Accord convert, I'm very pleased to see this one. Oddly I dreamt last night that I'd found one just like this locally, needing electrics and a clutch, for £199. It hasn't come true (yet?).
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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Sept 25, 2007 2:38:43 GMT
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How could anyone not ! Like any micro it should command disproportionate attention. I can't wait to try it out but I have to get bits for it's engine first. & eventually I do think it needs a brighter colour.      I think a prelude will be first.  Though I'm waiting on a call for another 2 air-cooled Z coupes -last registered 1984 ! I don't think I could give up the Accord for anything, but can certainly understand that their subtleties could be underestimated. |
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Last Edit: Mar 28, 2020 5:17:03 GMT by 79cord
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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Weeeeeelll overdue update. So this is stage 1 of a few events for the car over the last few months. Clutch After much avoidance I was finally forced to replace the clutch on my '79 Accord... after almost 29years & 252,727 km. It was still managing in the flat areas where I live & work but would slip a bit in traffic light grand-prix or taking it to the hillier areas around my parents... & even month's ago my brother couldn't drive it cleanly trying to drive it as he did his archaic '79 Toyota Corona (which has some torque, minimal power & absolutely futile to look for more through revs). Driving it on revs rather than its torque seemingly the key. I'm sure I probably could have unbolted & pulled accross the transaxle enough to do the job since I converted my Prelude from Auto to Manual without removing its engine, but I decided to take everything out since I also had to extract the remains of a broken alternator bracket bolt from the engine block which would have been near impossible in the car, & thankfully came out without drama (possibly aided by the slight oil cap leak I've been ignoring [though it left a mess to clean-up...I'd completely forgotten I'd polished my gearbox when the engine was out several years ago to simplify panel repairs]). & while I was at it I also figured I'd better get the radiator repaired for a gradual leak it has been suffering although that turned to be more serious (& expensive to repair) than expected so I ended up raiding my automatic parts-car for its radiator instead.  Drivetrain out.   And some fresh pictures of the engine bay I cleaned up a few years ago hiding some engine wiring (LHS loom Connector plugs removed so I could pull it back into cabin to traverse the firewall before being rerouted through the LHS Chassis member) & removing excess bracketry, and adding a new sheet-aluminium heat shield on the firewall to replace the factory item, smoothing things out better & enlarged to cover more of the firewall and hide the charcoal/ carbon canister now relocated into the corner behind it. I'd also relocated its Battery to eliminate the Factory rust-trap  Compared to Original  Was also going to get around to doing the frt ball-joint/lower control arm I had bought for it several months ago... but Aftermarket parts suppliers provided the wrong part (again - I'd already returned one) apparently giving me a '80 Prelude or Civic item? So I gave up on them. Finally got up the courage to call up the Honda dealer to enquire & Honda Australia don't bother to supply parts for them any more (& have never even bothered to provide computerized parts books - so the dealers still have microfiche!), & even if they did their last listed price was Aust$475 ! So eventually it just turned out easier to grab a resonable 2nd-hand one from a local wreckers. |
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Last Edit: Aug 22, 2014 13:02:32 GMT by 79cord
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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NEW WHEELSwww.bsawheels.com.au/users/Pr...il.aspx?id=106 Sorry to frustrate Early Accord owners on Honda's unusual 4x120 but since I went to the effort of changing my cars front & rear brakes to make it 4x100 I was able to go & buy a cheap set of 2nd hand alloys for mine... & hopefully I won't regret it, since they apparently come courtesy of a customised GM/Holden/Izuzu Gemini, AKA Chevette/Kadet that met its end. So I still have to get them checked out to make sure none are bent etc. It is a delicate design more commonly seen in rediculous 16"/17" sizes on cheap Mitsubishi Lancers or Civics to show-off their weedy brake drums... But since my 'cord now has 4 whl discs...I won't have to remove the wheels to check my brake pads, though I'll have to repaint them now! They're 14"x6" so not too big (I admit I'd prefer 15") with a 38mm offset & will need refinishing since they've been kerbed -& their spoke design protrudes past the rim to make it more obvious. & I had to get different wheel nuts & tyre valves before I could fit them properly. And still have to get/make up some appropriate bearing-caps somehow to suit, hopefully like the Early Accord ones shown here (that don't fit!)  I'll admit I'm still a little unsure how clever their purchase was as they weren't super cheap, & I still like my set of 5 '88 Rover 416i Vitesse / Honda Integra wheels (Australian badge engineering). which I think look more 'dignified', if subtle... & I still like the idea of 15"... though 14" made a big visual difference over the original 13's...while modern 13" alloys often look quite unfortunate. I've always secretly admired the delicate 'open wheel' designs though, even if I wonder what they were thinking of when they came up with their center cover designs (the Rover wheels had odd ctr covers too). & as for the over sized examples showing off brake drums...... Soooo some photos with them on.   Wish I'd washed the car before I took them! & still have to sort out some hub/bearing caps that will fit. Unfortunately the tyres have been flat-spotted badly & still need balancing so they'll be off again though. & they could still do with repainting to clean up curbing; originally I had thought about darker spokes but am now thinking the car's beige paint needs with the brightness of the current silver.? Like the look although they aren't forgiving in showing up the cars factory ride height, & I'd consider their 38mm offset the minimum fit wise for their 14x6.0" size; just fitting under the arches & may not fit if I were to lower it dramatically... though 1-2" at the frt would probably be the most I would want anyway (don't want to stop for speed-bumps). I also got around to confirming the 40mm offset of my last wheels, which would be more appropriate since there's 15-25mm clearance to the struts with the 175 tyres currently on the new wheels. And just for interest I weighed them as well as a few other wheel options I have about, with the tyres fitted to them, so precise weights may vary: BSA245 (-the new wheels) 14x6.0 13.8kg Accord 13x4.5 13.6kg  Rover/Integra vitesse 14x5.5 14.8kg  Integra directional 14x5.5 15.1kg ! CR-X 14x5.0 13.6kg  So much for the theory that alloy wheels are better because they weigh less!
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Last Edit: Aug 22, 2014 13:12:01 GMT by 79cord
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My folks had a totally shazaam 70's accord with stock everything. I really did think it was the coolest - I mean, it was a coupe for feck sake, if this didn't get the ladies nothing would.
That Z is cool as a fridge in space, what's the jazz with it now?
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Last Edit: Oct 2, 2008 0:40:46 GMT by leigh
Club Retro Rides Member
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kennyboy
Part of things
Classic J motor
Posts: 75
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Job well done i reckon
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212bhp at the wheels on standard internals from a 1.8ltr 8 valve motor.Not bad at all.
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So much for the theory that alloy wheels are better because they weigh less! Depends very much on the wheel too... I've got a set of 14x8" slotmags that are made by American Racing, which weighs about as much as a 15x4" Volvo Amazon steel wheel... And there's a slight difference in dimensions there. ;D |
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194? Willys Jeep MB 1965 Volvo 544 Special 1968 Opel Rekord 1975 Opel Kadett Estate 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E 1985 Datsun 720 King Cab 4x4 diesel 1997 Volvo S70 2.5SE (ex. "Volvo544special65" - changed to more reader friendly username.  ) |
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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 Yes the Z 360 hardtop is definately cool, & I now have another TWO of it's predecessor air-cooled Z360 coupe's as potentially workable projects from the ubiquitous little old lady, whose sons left them behind in the backshed when they moved out 20years ago! Getting them out of the shed was a few weekends work alone & I wish I could have got a photograph of dad lying atop the roof; steering it with an arm through the window as I towed one of them out of the shed & through the garden with the Accord -the shed being barely 6" wider than the car so you couldn't even open its doors. We didn't get the "big-block" Z600 coupes here so these are the 360cc two-pot screamers of Japans Kei class of the time, the hardtop being watercooled & with twin-carbs to extract 36hp @ 9500rpm & propel its claimed 530kg along. Unfortunately this one is currently laid-up on my back porch with its engine out & in pieces since it's previous owners allowed it to overheat & blow its head-gasket...8 years previous... water in the bore then seizing the engine & heavily pitting a con-rod with rust, after which I managed to break a piston skirt dis-assembling it.... aside from the perforated radiator, coolant pipes & exhaust header.    Thankfully I have been able to get another bottom-end from a local honda club member, that had de-railed its balance-shaft chain (grinding those drive sprokets smooth) before it's oil-pump drive was affected & the engine shut itself down. So I should be able to revive it once I get all the bits checked out & find where to get a head gasket (or have one made). Although normally a fan of retaining original paint colours I don't think its dark brownish metallic-green suits its cheeky character compared to the bold bright colours of the earlier models, like :  & Metallic paints were a signature of the Watercooled Z so I think a bright medium green metallic from a '79 Prelude will be its eventual colour:  Which should double the coolnes factor ;D And I am also thinking of playing upon it's cheekilly absurd sporty styling (for 1970 & 360cc) to the extreme with period style side stripes, tiny deep-dish sports steering wheel, "duck-tail" rear-roof spoiler, bib air-dam & some BIG 13" (std 10") alloy wheels from a '79 Honda Quintet (or Prelude steels) if my plans for a 4x100 & disc brake conversion work out. I also like the earlier, smaller aircooled grille/frt but it's not a direct fit & am not sure it could provide sufficient air-flow to the radiator Unfortunately I'm distracting myself with some far less worthwhile but seemingly easier Preludes at the moment... & some Lancia coupes. |
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Last Edit: Aug 22, 2014 13:18:45 GMT by 79cord
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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Oct 22, 2008 11:28:03 GMT
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I found buying this one hard to resist when I found it at an abandoned vehicle auction destined straight for the wrecking yard or scrap metal unless I saved it... so for $300 it became mine. Distracting me from work upon my other bronze '81 Prelude even though that was going well. Some rust though, even though it was primarily the result of some shoddy repairs to its right rear quarter panel which was evidently mis-shapen inspite of reasonable repainting. Body filler had been used around the panel seams of the rear-body instead of seam-sealant which might have been able to withstand the movements of the body better. The filler had cracked, letting water into the filler and the joints between the rear-and side panels resulting in a 2-inch rust hole along-side the tail-light. So obviously the first task was to strip back the rear of the car to see what lay hidden. Isn't that (not) pretty!  From inside the boot.   & out My how some panel beaters like body filler ! But unfortunately they didn't do their homework or preparation properly first, so the shape they so carefully created was completely & obviously wrong around the tail light with the rear edge needing pulling rearward 6-12mm. which they had instead taken up with their artfull wrinkles in the steel. Thankfully I had my other bronze Prelude on hand for reference with undamaged corners... So after welding up the holes & bashing the metal a little smoother (as much as possible after what it has been through), new filler had to go on.... Which took MONTHS for me to get to a standard I was happy with given work, home & other automotive distractions... Maybe cutting off & welding on a portion of my rusty parts Prelude (the red one) might have been quicker... but I lacked courage & didn't fancy trying to clean up a giant weld join over the wheel-arch (not much more of the donor panel would have been any good). I also had to do rust repairs to the numerous holes around the boot-seal flange & while I was at it decided debadgeing, and removal of Hondas large license plate lamps and boot key hole was in order. More holes to weld up. Smaller license plate lamps will be mounted discreetly upon the rear bumper like European specification Preludes. & Finally it came time to give it some paint in an attempt to get to get it looking respectable enough to be allowed back on the road...    Although I hasten to point out that the driveway paint-job won't be its last, while I work my way around the body ridding the sides of door-dings & some more subtle wobbly repairs to the left door & frt bumper/grille trim. And as these photos were taken I still have to sand & polish the Acrylic clear-coat properly smooth to banish the orange-peel effect of some areas (hopefully without rubbing through). The inconsistent fading of the cars paint also meaning it won't really be one colour until it has been fully painted. I must admit I've never understood the Preludes detail styling though so I'm eager to rid the doors of their door-handles once I conceive of a more discrete (non-electric) means of opening them and suppliment the remote/"keyless" un-locking system now added to the car. Work is underway on some broken tail-lights for a modern smooth, recessed "crystalline" style lens & red-chrome style reflector. A custom front is also distantly planned to replace Honda's bluff bumper & grille... possibly also including delicate chrome bumpers.    But getting it running and on the road again first.... Between other distractions... |
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Last Edit: Apr 1, 2015 11:15:25 GMT by 79cord
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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Jan 28, 2010 12:01:39 GMT
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About time I updated this.   Prelude finally on the road after I had to replace the windscreen ( Don't use the freshly refilled windscreen washer on a windscreen parked in the sun on a 40+ degC day). And got distracted by yet more projects.... Not sure if I bought this or was given it, @ $150 I couldn't resist. Not what I expected when I went to check out a parts car with a friend who wanted a g/box.    She's a little scruffy at first glance but has been given lots of attention over the years, albeit of a more practical than perfectionist nature. The previous owners had had it since 1981! _____________________________________________ A '77 model so LOTS of little differences to my '79   Different grille, frt valance, fenders, headlight mountings, & underneath the changes were even more extensive with a new engine, gearbox, electronic ignition, wiring, longer rear suspension A-arms, new rear struts with revised mountings & angled spring mountings, new hand-brake cable arrangements & revised evaporative emissions. Not even the fuel door is interchangeable. - I found a few tiny rust holes in the plenum under the wiper motor & the front fenders needed similar attention & the bonnet needed re-aligning. So strip time!   Cowl plenum rust repairs    & make wiper pivot bushes.   & fender repairs       & had a few small dents in the bonnet to attack so repainted that too.  & clean up some more tiny rust holes in the bottom corner of the doors & door dings while I'm at it.   Repainted the grille while I was at it  |
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Last Edit: Aug 26, 2020 4:11:44 GMT by 79cord
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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Feb 17, 2010 11:55:39 GMT
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Polished paint, new & old so its now shiny enough to show up my '79 apart from its dowdy wheels!  Also painted roof channels to eliminate previous miss-matched touch-ups, window surrounds now dark grey under the roof gutters & around door frame. And painted rusty window trims which had faded from dary grey to silver, I chickened out of an idea to paint them in silver so they are now somewhere in between. (small hobby airbrush & compressor has proved surprisingly useful!)  Door still not perfect but better, and has proper '77-8 mirror after I cut a $1 mirror glass to fit with glass-cutter, pliers & sandpaper.  Rear wiper & washer now giving problems: Pump operates but cannot generate ANY pressure. While switch & wiper motor works when tested on my Prelude but not the Accord so I suspect wiring through the hatch. Front wipers also aggravating me by not parking at the bottom of their travel. Unfortunately otherwise good tyres suspect with cracks in the sidewall but took it for a little drive which reminded me how loud engine noise is without the extra firewall/cowl insulation of tne '79... & how lock-prone rear drums are when you jump on the brakes (too soft brake linings fitted ?). Interior still needs attacking to re-colour faded vinyl, split drivers seat, worn carpets, cracked dash.  |
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Last Edit: Aug 26, 2020 4:18:13 GMT by 79cord
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Feb 17, 2010 14:36:51 GMT
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Nice collection of classic Hondas  |
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Z = megastar!
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Club Retro Rides Member
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,617
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Feb 18, 2010 14:02:21 GMT
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Must get on with that, shouldn't I.... Though I've already got another distraction.... or two... Should be doing the S600 as well... THAT engine/drivetrain is much more frightening though & it's been badly hacked about by previous owners too.  |
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Last Edit: Aug 25, 2020 12:51:18 GMT by 79cord
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Feb 18, 2010 14:39:30 GMT
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Good to see you're keeping yourself busy man! Ha! You're a glutton for punishment!! fair play to you  |
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