87 LX Sedan Restore (pajamas95)

[pajamas95]

How I got the car:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/IMG_20140131_122224.jpg

Roof is pretty bad:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/IMG_20140131_122241.jpg


Ready to Plasti-Dip the roof with the back bumper done:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/IMG_20140426_113123873.jpg


Fresh wash:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/IMG_20140426_173736466.jpg

The water bubbles up real funny on the Plasti-Dip:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/IMG_20140426_173718272.jpg


Also, tried Seafoam today and it went pretty well...at least the car is running quite a bit better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr7WnqpgTaQ


Put in a new clutch last week, and now for the trunk Plasti-Dip, LEDs all around, new rims (maybe), and get this thing registered. The DMV suspended it because it wasn't registered non-op by the previous owner and now they won't accept my insurance online and it takes hours to get them on the phone. :mad:

Will gladly take suggestions for cheaper upgrades to make this thing look the best it can. It already is running good except I'm just looking for a new distributor assembly as the vacuum advance is just zip-tied on. :omg:

[pajamas95]

Had some fun tonight...installed an LED dome light, a driver seat cover, and new pedals.


LED off Amazon:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/IMG_20140505_180952663.jpg

Really lights up the car a lot better:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/IMG_20140505_220206007.jpg


New pedals...actually they just go over the top of the existing pedals but it looks awesome:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/IMG_20140505_220116222.jpg

[pajamas95]

Plasti Dipped the trunk lid today (and added an Android vinyl just for fun)

In progress:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/2014-05-06154740.jpg

Four coats:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/2014-05-06174204.jpg

Looking good in my opinion:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/Honda%20Restore/2014-05-06174223.jpg

Any tips on whether I should paint the hubcaps black? Thanks for any opinions and reasons not to do this.

[Dr_Snooz]

Car's looking a lot better. Glad to see you saved it.

I've never been a fan of black wheels myself. Aesthetically, you want to have some contrast (some dark stuff with some light stuff) if visual appeal is your goal. According to the Wikipedia article on Neuroesthetics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroesthetics#Contrast), "regions of contrast are information rich requiring reinforcement and the allocation of attention." In other words, having good contrast will make people check you out. Of course, others really love black wheels and it's your car after all, so do what appeals to you.

[pajamas95]

Car's looking a lot better. Glad to see you saved it.

I've never been a fan of black wheels myself. Aesthetically, you want to have some contrast (some dark stuff with some light stuff) if visual appeal is your goal. According to the Wikipedia article on Neuroesthetics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroesthetics#Contrast), "regions of contrast are information rich requiring reinforcement and the allocation of attention." In other words, having good contrast will make people check you out. Of course, others really love black wheels and it's your car after all, so do what appeals to you.

Well, since it is just plasti dip I think I'll do one side and see what it looks like. I definitely agree about the contrast though.

[derolph]

I painted the steal wheels on my 88 Accord black as a low-budget effort to improve appearance. 3 of the old OEM wheel covers were damaged so I threw them away. I admit I would much rather have custom wheels but I'm holding off on that until I resolve some mechanical issues. Since my car is silver, I guess the black wheels may look better on it than on your car. My colors more closely fit the "contrast" concept mentioned by Dr_Snooz.

Edit: Oh, I see you were talking about painting the wheel covers black, not the steal wheels. I would not paint OEM wheel covers black. I just can't visualize that as looking better than the regular color.

[pajamas95]

I painted the steal wheels on my 88 Accord black as a low-budget effort to improve appearance. 3 of the old OEM wheel covers were damaged so I threw them away. I admit I would much rather have custom wheels but I'm holding off on that until I resolve some mechanical issues. Since my car is silver, I guess the black wheels may look better on it than on your car. My colors more closely fit the "contrast" concept mentioned by Dr_Snooz.

Edit: Oh, I see you were talking about painting the wheel covers black, not the steal wheels. I would not paint OEM wheel covers black. I just can't visualize that as looking better than the regular color.

Yeah, I might try taking off one wheel cover for the steely look and dipping that, dipping one cover black, and leave the other two stock. Then I'll pick which one I think looks best of the three. Maybe I'll post some pics on here for your guys opinions.

[pajamas95]

Finally got the registration in the mail. Now for an oil change and new spark plugs. Any other recommendations for getting this thing tuned good?

[pajamas95]

Just put new NGK plugs and new blue NGK plug wires and it idles a lot smoother, the ticking sound is gone, and it looks way cooler too. Now I just want to find a way to tuck the A20a1 wires away, but I'm not so sure how possible that will be. Anyone ever done it before?

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-05-29151936.jpg

Also going to do a high mileage synthetic blend valvoline oil change tonight and add some Marvel Mystery Oil to the oil, gas tank, and crankcase.

I want to recharge the A/C but am not sure how. The previous owner converted it to R134a, but I'm not sure how much to refill it with. Should I just take it to a shop or does someone have a how-to on that?

[Dr_Snooz]

Extensive wire tucks have definitely been done. There's lots of pics floating around here.

For the A/C, take it to a shop or get someone to show you how to fill it hands on. It requires some special (and fairly expensive) tools and you can hurt yourself badly if you do it wrong.

[pajamas95]

Extensive wire tucks have definitely been done. There's lots of pics floating around here.

For the A/C, take it to a shop or get someone to show you how to fill it hands on. It requires some special (and fairly expensive) tools and you can hurt yourself badly if you do it wrong.

Yeah, the wire tuck is not a big deal and will cost a little too much and take too much time right now.

Turns out the AC compressor is bad and needs to be replaced before I do anything there. My big priority right now is getting the P/S working. Also just got the car registered today...waited in line at the DMV for 2.5 hours to get my sticker. :banghead: :beat:

[pajamas95]

I wanted to try the black wheel look and it almost looks like I have four spares on. Going to set a poll to see what everyone thinks of these:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-06-14094355.jpg
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-06-14094406.jpg
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-06-14094317.jpg
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-06-14094258.jpg

[pajamas95]

Decided on Plasti Dip Vintage Gold for this week... What do you all think (If anyone ever looks at this...)?

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-07-03173402.jpg
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-07-03173344.jpg

[1813mdw]

Nice 3gee you got there. Wish i could find one in Michigan that clean lol. I think I liked the black plasti better; tho if it was mine Id prolly pull the wheel covers and rock the steelies(plasti dipped to match the roof and trunk)

[pajamas95]

Just finished tinting the windows all around. Will post pics soon.


Nice 3gee you got there. Wish i could find one in Michigan that clean lol. I think I liked the black plasti better; tho if it was mine Id prolly pull the wheel covers and rock the steelies(plasti dipped to match the roof and trunk)

Yeah, I liked black, but my friends all said it looked like I had four spare tires. If I go back to black, I'll take the covers off and do steelies. I need to lower it about 1.5" as well.

[1813mdw]

Will look alot better dropped a little. Did you tint them yourself?

[Dr_Snooz]

I like them better than the black.

[pajamas95]

Will look alot better dropped a little. Did you tint them yourself?

Nah, just took it to a pro who did it for $89. Pretty good price for how good he did it. Only a few tiny bubbles in the back window that you can only see in certain lights when you look for them.

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-07-05194350.jpg

[scania360]

I like standard color...
White color also not bad...
Perfect with black tinted..
Vip style... :)

[pajamas95]

There, just resurfaced my front rotors and installed new pads, and I have new springs coming tomorrow that should lower the car ~2.25". I may need to get new struts as I don't know if these old ones will hold up to the pressure, but I'm probably going to keep them until they blow. (Unless that could be bad for the car???)

1986-1989 Honda Accord Red Sport Lowering Springs - Lowering Spring - Suspension HK5 Motors (http://www.hk5motors.com/index.php/suspension/lowering-spring-1/1986-1989-honda-accord-red-sport-lowering-springs.html)

[1813mdw]

I would try and find out the spring rate on them and match a set of struts accordingly. They are gonna be stiffer than your current springs. Stiff springs + old/OEM struts= very bouncy ride/poor handling. Others on here may be able to point you in the right direction on what struts would be a good match. Luckily only going -2.25 you wont need to do any other mods to make these work. Should look dope tho

[pajamas95]

I would try and find out the spring rate on them and match a set of struts accordingly. They are gonna be stiffer than your current springs. Stiff springs + old/OEM struts= very bouncy ride/poor handling. Others on here may be able to point you in the right direction on what struts would be a good match. Luckily only going -2.25 you wont need to do any other mods to make these work. Should look dope tho

These are progressive springs, so how would I measure the rate? Do progressive struts exist? With the little bit I know about how struts work, aren't they just like an automatic closer for screen doors? There is pressure inside that slows down the spring so it doesn't bounce around? Just wondering why lower springs would put any extra pressure on the existing struts?

Also, if I did that tophat mod everyone is talking about, would I be able keep using the OEM struts, or should I just get some nice aftermarket ones that are a little shorter?

[pajamas95]

OK, feeling really stupid here. I just took the struts off and can't figure out how to get the springs off without it coming off in my face. Do I need to use a spring compressor? I called a shop near my house and they said they could replace them for $50 each if I brought the 4 struts in, but like everyone else here, I don't have that money on hand. My friend said he did his on his Scion xB by hand, but my guess is that these are quite different. It would be cheaper to just buy new struts and put the new springs on them. What would you all recommend I do...I guess if I got new struts, I could put the old back on if I don't like the way the new ones ride.

EDIT: Nevermind, went to Oreilly's and rented a spring compressor for $50, and if I bring it back in two days I get all my money back. Already got the back springs replaced and working on the fronts now. The compressor doesn't fit between the coils too well, so I might have to MacGyver this one a bit. Both of the rear struts feel like new, so I'm thinking they must have been replaced not too long ago. Hopefully they hold up to these new springs!

[Accordtheory]

I'm always surprised by how many people don't realize you don't need a spring compressor to replace struts/springs/shocks at all. Pick the car up, set it on jackstands. Just whichever end you're working on, front or back. Put the jack under the control arm, close to or under the ball joint. Lift that up a little, so the spring isn't extending the shock all the way. Next remove the nut on the top of the shock/strut. The lower the jack. You have now uncompressed the spring using the jack. Install is the exact opposite. Back in the day, me and a friend removed, cut, and reinstalled all 4 springs on my hatch in 45 minutes (!) using this technique. The craziest part was the car actually sat level and rode okay with the cut springs. Most aftermarket springs are complete garbage, and no, oem style struts will Not work with any stiffer springs. You need to have stiffer shocks. My revalved bilsteins were around $700.

[pajamas95]

I'm always surprised by how many people don't realize you don't need a spring compressor to replace struts/springs/shocks at all. Pick the car up, set it on jackstands. Just whichever end you're working on, front or back. Put the jack under the control arm, close to or under the ball joint. Lift that up a little, so the spring isn't extending the shock all the way. Next remove the nut on the top of the shock/strut. The lower the jack. You have now uncompressed the spring using the jack. Install is the exact opposite. Back in the day, me and a friend removed, cut, and reinstalled all 4 springs on my hatch in 45 minutes (!) using this technique. The craziest part was the car actually sat level and rode okay with the cut springs. Most aftermarket springs are complete garbage, and no, oem style struts will Not work with any stiffer springs. You need to have stiffer shocks. My revalved bilsteins were around $700.

I already got the back ones done in about 1.5 hours this morning by myself (never done anything like this before), and am working on the fronts right now. I took it for a quick drive up to 75 MPH and there was no bouncing at all from the back. However, the front might be different because the struts don't feel quite as smooth as the back were. Hopefully because I'm not going too low it won't be too bad...just looks better than before where it looked lifted. :D

[1813mdw]

Thats good to hear. Nows wes needs pics :)

[pajamas95]

OK, here are some pictures of my recent 2.25" drop on OEM struts.

Is this low enough? Just kidding...there are no struts in the front and it is on the jack, and I had my two younger brothers in the back to even it out. :D

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-07-09164046.jpg

Here is how it really is as of 15 minutes ago. Car drives smooth as is not any different than before except that I scrape a tiny bit when leaving steep driveways now.

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-07-10184643.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-07-10184705.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-07-10184753.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-07-10184822.jpg

[1813mdw]

Hell yeah, man. Looks 10x better

[Hazwan]

That amount of drop is perfect imo

[pajamas95]

Haven't posted in some time. Recently I did my front wheel bearings and hubs by myself and the car is much quieter now. However, I didn't tighten the axle nuts tight enough (I guess 132 lb/ft is not enough unlike the manual says), and they were so loose I could wiggle the wheel back and forth at least an inch. That is also what was making the camber so bad...Tightened those down and got a $45 alignment and the car rides like new now. There a still a few things to fix to get it running good (lostforawhile just sent me a new distributor and vacuum advance and I need new strut arm bearings to fix the caster) and then the car should be back to factory running condition.

Oh, and as for the looks, I took the plasti dip off and the hubcaps are back to the stock silver now. I can be really indecisive, but I think I'm sticking with this for now as it doesn't stand out to cops as much. :P

[Dr_Snooz]

Did you stake the axle nuts? If not, that's your problem.

Good choice on the silver, BTW.

[pajamas95]

Yeah, I did but maybe it wasn't in far enough as they spun themselves loose quite bad. Just hit them with the impact and they turned at least 4 times and the wheel is perfectly tight now.

[lostforawhile]

I'm going to get that sent off just as soon as I get a chance, going to throw you in an extra good dizzy that only needs a module, so you can build a spare

[lostforawhile]

your dizzy and parts dizzy are on the way, sorry for any delay, we had a funeral to go to. I pmed you the tracking number

[pajamas95]

Thanks so much. Hopefully I can get this car running real good again!

[pajamas95]

Hey guys, so I found the problem with my high idle issue. It is the Lower Dashpot Diaphragm Set, Honda part number: 16043-PH4-671. Any chance anyone knows where I could get one? All I found was this site, but Honda says they don't carry them anymore: 16043-PH4-671 | Honda Diaphragm Set (http://www.yourhondaparts.com/Honda-Part-Number-16043-PH4-671-p/16043-ph4-671.htm)

Nevermind...I just ordered the part and got 2 day shipping. Hopefully I'll get this thing running soon!

[pajamas95]

Uggh, and now they just refunded my money and said they don't actually have the part. Now the car has been sitting for two weeks all disassembled because I don't want to put it back together with the bad diaphragm and the 2500 RPM idle. Now to go to a junkyard, try to find a carbed 3G, and pull it all apart to hopefully get lucky and find a good one.

[pajamas95]

Finally found a used dashpot diaphragm and got the car running really nice. Only issue is it was due for a smog and I scored perfect on everything except for NOX. So now I got to either replace the EGR valve or just clean out the passageway. Any tips on the best way to do this?

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-09-27124134.jpg

And the current look for my car...I never know what I am going to change next:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-08-18162010.jpg

[pajamas95]

Yep, EGR valve was sticking and it just passed even better than before:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-09-29182437-1.jpg

Got registration sent in and car will be a good DD again.

[Dr_Snooz]

Cool!

[pajamas95]

So I just picked this up today for my daily driver. The 3g has moved to second position as a project car and as my backup when this one is down (which it inevitably will be). What do you guys think?

2000 BMW 528i with full M5 upgrades except for engine:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/IMG_4486.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/IMG_4487.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/IMG_4488.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/IMG_4490.jpg

[derolph]

The BMW looks great. That's a body style that always catches my eye. My son just bought a 2003 Audi A4, a pretty sweet machine, too.

[Dr_Snooz]

Very nice! What are the plans for the Accord now?

[pajamas95]

Very nice! What are the plans for the Accord now?

I want to keep driving it as it is still a good car, just not good enough for my 80 mile commute. I think I might try to get it running absolutely perfect and restore it to OEM as well as I can. I'll probably give it to my younger brother once he gets his learners permit as well.

[lostforawhile]

I want to keep driving it as it is still a good car, just not good enough for my 80 mile commute. I think I might try to get it running absolutely perfect and restore it to OEM as well as I can. I'll probably give it to my younger brother once he gets his learners permit as well.
glad I was able to help a little, at least you are taking the time to keep it running, and not running it into the ground like so many others do

[pajamas95]

So....today I was running to the store and figured I'd take the Honda for the fun of it (it is almost more fun the the BMW even with less power), and there was a water truck that went through on the dirt road I take so it was all slick. There is a big corner to go around a big ditch right in the middle of the road. Well, I hit my brakes to slow down for the turn going about 30 MPH and there was no pressure and the pedal just fell to the floor. So I pulled the parking brake which just locked up the rear wheels. I was now at the turn, so I turned hard left (stupid) which made me spin out because of the locked rear wheels. I tried to recover the drift, but when I turned the steering wheel, I suddenly felt a lot of resistance and couldn't turn, which then caused me to slam into a large rock wall...The reason I couldn't turn was because as soon as it started sliding, the pressure blew the power steering line when I turned it the opposite direction. Weird thing was, when I shut the car off and turned it back on, the brakes worked perfectly fine. So I drove it home with no P/S and it drove just fine. The only fluid that came out was some washer fluid, so I think the car is fine except for needing to fix the headlight, fender, and bumper. Annoying thing is, I now can't get the hood open for my life...is there a way to take off the hinges on the back with it closed? Or is there a trick to unlatching it with a jammed to the side? I got the lever pulled all the way up, but something is still holding it there.

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-10-06113938.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-10-06113945.jpg

[Dr_Snooz]

Bummer dude. When I crumpled my hood, I had to use a pry bar to get it open. Hope you get it fixed soon.

[lostforawhile]

unbolt the bumper from the front and then you can reach all the latch bolts and just unbolt the latch

[pajamas95]

Got a new bumper with support brace and headlight and still looking for a dark blue fender that is not dented. Problem is the support frame get bent so I will be working this weekend to get that pulled straight. I also need to take two dents out of the hood and get the trim for that. Personally, I think the black facelift bumper looks a lot cooler than the body color one I broke.

In progress:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-10-09115054.jpg

All torn apart:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-10-09172401.jpg

A few new parts, though still crooked and missing trim:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-10-11170336.jpg

I got some OEM visors:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-10-11170351.jpg

And cupholders as well:
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/pajamas95/2014-10-14145100.jpg