Recently purchased 1985 SEI

[yoitsdaedalus]

Hello friends

I was looking for a commuter and came across a 1985 Accord SEI. Heard it was sorta rare so now I'm here to see what you guys can tell me about it. I usually keep Cadillacs for a hobby car.

Good:

strong drivetrain

Bad:

surface rust in/out
mildew smell
fender damage driver side front

Some parts seem a little hard to find. Wish I could get a new fender. Maybe some lowering springs?

Again, anything you can tell me.

Thanks

[2oodoor]

If any of that rust is holes in the wrong place that could be a water leak inside. Also if it has a sunroof thr drain holes may be clogged up resultinh in water leaking in below the front cowl and A pillar. I still see 85 models in the junk yards so fender finding feesable :)

[yoitsdaedalus]

If any of that rust is holes in the wrong place that could be a water leak inside. Also if it has a sunroof thr drain holes may be clogged up resultinh in water leaking in below the front cowl and A pillar. I still see 85 models in the junk yards so fender finding feesable :)

Thanks for writing me back. That sounds good. I found an aftermarket fender for $96 so that isn't so bad either. The rust is in patches in the trunk and around the sill plates in the doors, places like that.

The suspension feels okay but there is a pretty big vibration on the left driver side at idle speeds. feels like a motor mount but im not sure where they are. The guy I bought it from said he replaced the clutch so I was thinking he broke/forgot a tranny mount?

Also noticed my speedo is off. Never had the cluster out on a Honda. Should I just replace the cable?

[2ndTimeHondaOwner]

You might check the tire size before changing the speedo cable. Bigger/smaller tires then the stock size can make the speedometer read wrong. The rims can be + sized with tires that are close to the stock OD and the speedo should then be almost right on. The cable for my 86 accord was under $10 at autozone, if you need to go that way.

[yoitsdaedalus]

You might check the tire size before changing the speedo cable. Bigger/smaller tires then the stock size can make the speedometer read wrong. The rims can be + sized with tires that are close to the stock OD and the speedo should then be almost right on. The cable for my 86 accord was under $10 at autozone, if you need to go that way.

It was off roughly 10%. Took it to get tires yesterday. The set that came with the car were from Feb. 2001. That's no joke. They were also 175/70/13 instead of 185/70/13. Using the stock size corrected the speedometer about 4%. I guess I'll tug on the cable.

[Dr_Snooz]

Post pics of the car. We love pics.

[yoitsdaedalus]

Pictures next reply I promise.

What is the difference between the springs on the 86-89 and the springs on the 83-85?

[D87Cook]

Congrats on your 85 SEI. As an SEI owner myself, welcome to the club!

The springs on the 85 SEI are the older version. Not sure what they are called, but in 87 the Accord got the Prelude springs.

[D87Cook]

Additionally, it is a CHORE to find 185 for a 13 inch rim. Lol.

If you ever fancy selling the rims, provided they are original SEI rims, I will happily buy them off of you. I have Honda 13's, but they're off of a 1986 Prelude.

[nasd90]

Greetings & thank you for letting me post.


My Grandfather had a brown/camel leather 1985 Honda Accord SE-i.
I tried to hold on to it but couldn't... Would love to buy this car again.
No joke, call me, email me... whatever, I will come get it if it's what I am looking for.


Nicholas Orros
Tallahassee, FL 32312
850-322-3508
[email protected]

[Dr_Snooz]

Good luck with your search. Have you considered looking the owner up using the license plate number at the local DMV?

[yoitsdaedalus]

Hey guys, sorry that I haven't posted pictures. Geez, I must be the last guy with a 2g Accord looking at the activity in the 2g forum lol. I'm going to replace all four struts this weekend and have the rear suspension assembly from a 2g Prelude coming (hoping I can swap for disc brake lol - why? because I can).

I think I'm going to dump a grand or two into it and keep it for a daily. I can get an F23A~ for about $400 bucks. Not sure if it will fit, but it looks pretty close. Do you guys think I should try it? I'm a professional Machinist. I can handle the fab/engineering if it will fit in the bay.

[MessyHonda]

these are great cars. for shocks im sure you can still find Koni inserts for front and rear. and for the rear disk brakes you will have to convert from a prelude. for the engine you would have to convert to hydraulic clutch or have a converter. Innovative makes B series mounts if you ever wanted to go B series.

[Hazwan]

Anything can be done. Much easier if you could machine and weld stuff. DO IT!

Need pics!

[yoitsdaedalus]

these are great cars. for shocks im sure you can still find Koni inserts for front and rear. and for the rear disk brakes you will have to convert from a prelude. for the engine you would have to convert to hydraulic clutch or have a converter. Innovative makes B series mounts if you ever wanted to go B series.

Sweet that might be easier. I was wondering about it. If they make mounts for a b-series in a 3g and the a20 from a 3g bolts into a 2g then..?

Hey by the way what city are you in MessyHonda? I live in Newark

[MessyHonda]

Sweet that might be easier. I was wondering about it. If they make mounts for a b-series in a 3g and the a20 from a 3g bolts into a 2g then..?

Hey by the way what city are you in MessyHonda? I live in Newark

I live in Menlo Park. no one here has done a b swap using the innovative mounts into a 2nd gen but if you go to NorCalAutoStylez in Fremont Cesar can get you a set.

[mdauriemma]

Im in San Francisco & San Jose if any of you wanna meet sometime. I specialize in makin sh*t fit.

[2geeSEi]

You are definitely not the last one with a 2g Accord. Here is my 1985 SE-i. http://i.imgur.com/f5E6tv8.jpg (http://imgur.com/f5E6tv8)
I mostly hang out on the Facebook page, since there is not much activity here.

[2geeSEi]

BTW, the 2g Prelude rear suspension is identical. The rear disc brakes just bolt on. You just need to make some minor mods to the ebrake handle and cable clamps. There is a write-up on the forum. Also, last time I checked, classicgarage.com still had the Koni inserts.

[2ndGenGuy]

Rust is the eternal enemy of these cars!

[nastytee]

Looks like your car still needs a lot of work.

[1adnoh]

Hey Guys,

Congrats on the purchase! 2geeSei, yours is such a sweet ride! I am so jealous!! Being in Hawaii (Honolulu), I also envy you guys that live where the salt isn't!

I haven't posted in years, but have to do so now (sorry to crash this thread) to announce that my '85 Se-i's days are numbered due to severe rust. She is almost at 200K miles, but runs strong and a/c is mostly new, except for a dead cooling fan motor. I wish some of you lived here, so I could arrange parting her out before sending off to the junk yard. :crying::crying::crying:

I welcome any ideas from you guys. email, call, text: ([email protected], 808-258-9906)

Aloha,
Shannon