A-town Down

[OptimusPrimeSr]

http://thumb6.webshots.net/t/63/163/3/12/84/425931284juBgQp_th.jpg

Proud new owner of a gold 87LX 5spd (carb) (http://www.3geez.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63323)
despite all the push to getting an EFI, it simply came down to the fact that I needed a running car by Monday 12/31 to get to work and this was my best option. Sorry to disappoint.

final purchase price...1800(cash)$ + 18month/18k mile warranty on all recent work (block, axles, carb, radiator, brakes). I probably over paid, but whatever...I'm not poor.

Took it for an emissions inspection this afternoon...pass. This weekend I'll put in some work if it stops raining and take a few pics.

on the immediate agenda...
- register it in GA (+tags/title)
- clean it up (int/ext/engine bay)
- fix clock (powers off and on sporadically)
- grease window tracks
- remove sticker on rear window and driver side rear window
- scuff/prime/paint bumper trim
- sand/seal 2 rust spots on edge of rear doors (somehow the rear wheel wells look rust free...go figure)

so what's up!


edit:spelling

[2oodoor]

congrats !!
are you moving to GA ?
the trim is the first thing I did to my car, first I painted it brown like the interior, then I changed it to the same color as the body.

[fogged]

Not bad if you got a warranty. :D

[labeledsk8r]

well atleast you talked them down some... still kinda high but mayby the rebuilt parts will pay for themselves and not need to be fixed.. have fun fixxing it up... and what are the major plans??? DD or is some performance going into it?

p.s. whats the picture for... the first person almost looks like my ex rofl

[OptimusPrimeSr]

hrmmmmmmmmmmm. I was originally thinking black, but I like your idea...
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t280/roodoo2/1194555011.jpg

I may go black for now...new gold trim on a faded gold body probably looks like dook. Eventually, I would like to work the body and get a fresh coat on it.

[2oodoor]

On the DX I have, I think the black looks better, it has black door handles, the whole bumpers are blacked, there is door edge trim black.. it looks good against silver. Rust spot is the only one on the car I have seen btw.. since we are putting pics of my car in your thread..lol
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t280/roodoo2/1197573775.jpg
the sides of your car should not be faded, if they are it may polish back out if the clear is in good shape
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t280/roodoo2/guy025.jpg

[OptimusPrimeSr]

labeledsk8r,
major plans are dd. :(
pic of girl doing the "A-town Down"... its from a rap song

roodoo2,
I live in atanta. picked the car up while visiting the parents up in G'boro, NC.

[itzdave]

good deal. not too shabby with a warranty. fair price considering new motor etc.

[redaztec]

Congrats! I hope you never need to use the warranty, but it's nice to have just in case!

[2oodoor]

another GA member yahh hoo yee haaww, hold my beer
hey yaw watch this.. :welcome:

j/k

[OptimusPrimeSr]

pics.

dent next to left headlight. The signal light was replaced and does not match the right side.
http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R3kqKCTqQjI/AAAAAAAAABo/HsYAu9JBKGo/1.jpg?imgmax=512

oxidized bumper... check
http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R3kqKCTqQkI/AAAAAAAAABw/19oBUPazAo4/2.jpg?imgmax=512

better view of the left side dent beside the left headlight.
http://lh5.google.com/wta306/R3kqKSTqQlI/AAAAAAAAAB4/QbqO1a_Tt2Q/3.jpg?imgmax=512


http://lh5.google.com/wta306/R3kqKSTqQmI/AAAAAAAAACA/eG_NxpL7xZ0/4.jpg?imgmax=512

da da dirdy dirdy
http://lh5.google.com/wta306/R3kqKSTqQnI/AAAAAAAAACI/Vfnc4au-r_A/5.jpg?imgmax=512

A20A1 w/ about 300 miles on it...holla!
http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R3kqXCTqQoI/AAAAAAAAACQ/7s1AB_AgFJs/6.jpg?imgmax=512

wheels look bad. gonna replace w/ alloys once tire treads wear down a bit more. Anyone wanna give me some ideas of the best places to look for fairly cheap 4x100 alloys...pref 15 inches?
http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R3kqXCTqQpI/AAAAAAAAACY/gur-t_PSZRE/7.jpg?imgmax=512

inside. driver's seat is worn in the butt area (can't really tell from this angle). I gave it a real quick vacuum and hit the dash/vinyl with a warm soapy wash cloth and a quick dab of armor all.
http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R3kqXCTqQqI/AAAAAAAAACg/o2N0uZQWxC0/8.jpg?imgmax=512

missing radio... check.
http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R3kqXCTqQrI/AAAAAAAAACo/YAkHEXeT9E0/9.jpg?imgmax=512

missing speakers... check. I've got a box and 2 amps from old car...need speakers and receiver and should be back in biz.
http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R3kqXCTqQsI/AAAAAAAAACw/hdzbTng-2Gc/10.jpg?imgmax=512

going to file application to register car in GA. Then I'll get started on the engine bay cleaning.

next weekend...
- install new antenna and clock from Towhound (should be arriving later this week)
- clean/lube window tracks on all windows w/ exception of driver's side front.
- paint bumper trim (remove stupid UNC tarheels sticker off rear bumper)

[MessyHonda]

does not look bad

[OptimusPrimeSr]

thanks.

popped the panels and cleaned/lubed window tracks...PITA...should have waited until I picked up some speakers for a nice twofer.

didn't get around to cleaning the engine bay. maybe tomorrow if I'm not too hung over.

[forrest89sei]

Nice LX!

I had a 86 just like that.

If you need Brown interior parts let me know, since i'm parting my car

[OptimusPrimeSr]

are your front door panels and visors intact and still avail? if so, how much?

[forrest89sei]

are your front door panels and visors intact and still avail? if so, how much?


I'll take pics, there still intact


You can view what i have pics of here http://www.3geez.com/forum/showpost.php?p=825035&postcount=1
http://www.3geez.com/forum/showpost.php?p=825038&postcount=2
http://www.3geez.com/forum/showpost.php?p=825098&postcount=3
http://www.3geez.com/forum/showpost.php?p=825099&postcount=4

[2oodoor]

I thought it was a DX you were looking at, thats an LX, looks just like mine did when I first got it and yep the first thing I did was the mouldings cux if it wern't for that the car looks pretty tight.. nice little car you have there :wave:

Im testing the waters soon, I may be selling my alloys mesh painted 15 inch, I took them off today cux I had a flat on the front. Fronts had 195-50-15 visa v-50 tires. They were just too dorky looking without having the car lowered and they ride like rocks in this cool weather.
I put 15 inch Ion steelies on, it again changed the whole way the car drives and runs.. the alloys definalty make the car more responsive because they are firggin light as hell. The rears scrapped with anybody riding in the back with 205-70-15, the inner wheel wells need some "adjustment" to run those 40 offset wheels, maybe 50 I forgot, they are stamped inside the rim along with some japanese writing.

[knarg]

the pic was lol.

[chino4u]

Hello And Welcome...

[OptimusPrimeSr]

Painted the rear bumper last night.

tools/materials...
- fiancee's cooking magazine
- painter's tape
- red scuff pad
- trim/bumper adhesion promoter
- bumper paint
- screw driver
- soapy water rags

cleaned the bumper with warm soapy water and let it air dry.
taped the edges of the trim
taped magazine pages for over-spray protection
scuffed the trim well
took a break and let forearms recover

http://lh3.google.com/wta306/R4LACiTqQ4I/AAAAAAAAAEU/og9ekVAYX6I/IMG_2944.JPG?imgmax=512

applied 3 coats of adhesion promoter

http://lh6.google.com/wta306/R4LAMSTqQ6I/AAAAAAAAAEk/rea-v0YRsjg/IMG_2946.JPG?imgmax=512

applied 3 coats of bumper paint

http://lh3.google.com/wta306/R4LAWiTqRAI/AAAAAAAAAFU/1df7-X4f0EQ/IMG_2952.JPG?imgmax=512


Final Product
http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R4LAbyTqREI/AAAAAAAAAF0/TPBfK2KBlTU/IMG_2957.JPG?imgmax=512


I'll snap a better "results" pic this weekend when I do the front bumper and side trim. I ran out of light and time. Man I wish I had a garage.

[OptimusPrimeSr]

also, while tapping off the trim, I noticed chipped edges on the trunk lid that I'll need to sand down and spray with something to prevent rust. Also, there was a crap-ton of dirt and debris when I removed the rear mud flaps.

[A18A]

looks pretty good :thumbup:

[OptimusPrimeSr]

looks pretty good :thumbup:

thanks. the after picture doesn't do it justice. but now it makes the rest of the trim stand out like a sore thumb. next up: side trim, front bumper, license plate/trunk trim, window trim (between front and rear doors). After that, I'll need to spread some time and money to the engine bay. The car could use an exhaust system and some decent headers. And eventually a weber.

Also, I was skimming (so I may have misread), but I think that once a car is 25y/o (in GA), it can be titled as a classic car and doesn't have to pass emissions...but there may be a limit on the annual mileage allowed for it to be considered a classic.

[MessyHonda]

looks nice...i got to try that on my dx bumper.

[mushroom_toy]

ANOTHER GA MEMBER>>>>WOOT. Hey if your in atlanta come to the Honda meet this Sunday at the Varisty.

[OptimusPrimeSr]

there has been some squeaking in my brakes lately so the other day, I pulled the wheels off and took a look at the front disks. Yep, they needed to be replaced so I put the wheels back on and ordered...

Akebono ProACT Ceramic Pads (from here (http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brakes.jsp?&make=Akebono&model=ProACT+Ceramic+Pads&group=ProACT+Ceramic+Pads&autoMake=Honda&autoModel=Accord+LX+Sedan&autoYear=1987&autoModClar=&perfCode=P))
http://www.tirerack.com/images/brakes/search/medium/ak_proact_ceramic_pads.jpg

They arrived yesterday afternoon so I will slip them in tomorrow afternoon if I find the time. However, ever since I checked the brakes and sprayed some brake cleaner on the wheels, the front left has been squeaking/scraping sound when driving (most notable when I'm rolling in neutral @ ~ 15-20mph). I pulled the wheel off last night and don't see any visible marks on the rotor. I turned the wheel a few times while the side was up on the jack and it sounded like it was rubbing on something. I didn't have time to investigate last night, but I'll have plenty tomorrow when I replace the pads. Any ideas?

I'll also be painting the front bumper tomorrow afternoon so I'll post pics of that and the brake pad job this weekend.

Another thing I noticed (sorry for the ramble ramble ramble ... but not really since this is my thread and I'll be updating it regularly with my noob car work)...is that a few of the bushings look beat to hell at least in the front wheel wells...I'm pretty bad with the names of all the suspension parts (LCA, UCA, tie rods, strut...blah blah blah). So I'll snap a few pics of what I'm talking about when doing the brake pads.

[2oodoor]

Looks good, very familiar scene there with the assorted media masking paper and taped up car.. lol
It works though don't it ! It came out great.

[russiankid]

Change the rotors when doing the pads and see if the scraping sound is still there. Don't forget to grease the caliper.

[Civic Accord Honda]

damn car looks good
same color as my new 87dx :D
keep up the good work

[OptimusPrimeSr]

russian, i've got some stuff to recondition the rotors. I'm going to pick up some silicon grease from the shop this afternoon before I start on my brakes.

Thanks DA.

Roo, are you gonna make it to the meet this Sunday @ Varsity?

[2oodoor]

I don't know, I sure would like to but the LX isn't good for the six hours of getting there and back (still worried about the oil pump, it leaks pretty good after the car warms up and I believe loses some oil pressure) . The DX would probably go but it isn't legal yet. wouldn't be representing if I showed up in a USDM pickup:violin:
We shall see what I get accomplished Saturday, so yes I may show up.

EDIT, I cant come, my daughter's birthday party is sunday

[OptimusPrimeSr]

I don't know, I sure would like to but the LX isn't good for the six hours of getting there and back (still worried about the oil pump, it leaks pretty good after the car warms up and I believe loses some oil pressure) . The DX would probably go but it isn't legal yet. wouldn't be representing if I showed up in a USDM pickup:violin:
We shall see what I get accomplished Saturday, so yes I may show up.

EDIT, I cant come, my daughter's birthday party is sunday


lol @ edit. maybe some other time.

[OptimusPrimeSr]

Ok... got off work early today and started the front brake pad job around 4pm.

Caliper bolts were tough so I splashed them with some PB Blaster and let them sit for 20 minutes. Was my first time so I spent most of the time on the first side and finished the second side in less than 20 minutes.

http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R4f6uiTqRHI/AAAAAAAAAGI/vaChm1ZJjZw/IMG_2959.JPG
wow, that looks pretty bad. the outer pads on both sides seems to be worn out more than the inner pad. does this mean anything?


http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R4f6uiTqRII/AAAAAAAAAGQ/UpLRwJuBmik/IMG_2960.JPG

http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R4f6uiTqRJI/AAAAAAAAAGY/FK9FtKNjy-w/IMG_2961.JPG

http://lh4.google.com/wta306/R4f6uiTqRGI/AAAAAAAAAGA/MZzkNiOa4tE/IMG_2958.JPG
I need some of those gloves. I imagine they help with those tiny nicks and scratches that you get on your hands when working on the car.


couple of sticking points...
- need a bigger C-Clamp...4inches doesn't cut it without a little imagination
- squeezed a little brake fluid out of the master cylinder while the top was half way unscrewed. hope I didn't screw anything up.
- need a bigger jack. had trouble getting the car up on the lowest jack stand setting...fucking driving me nuts.


afterwards, took the car for a spin...30/30/30 with moderate braking pressure. did a couple reverse stops.

is there anything I am leaving out as far as post pad replacement? The stopping power seemed weak at first, but started to pick up. This is likely due to the rotor treatment applied to both sides.

oh and get this crap... the brake pads came with the wrong plates so I had to clean up the old ones and use those...WTF Akebono go to hell.

well as with all new car maintenance tasks that end successfully (this was my first break pad replacement), I am proud of myself and want to thank the board and my Haynes manual. I'm gonna drink some beers...later

[2oodoor]

well glad you got it, a few things though..
What is rotor treatment?
I hope you didnt get pb blaster on the rotor you are using.

I have never had to use pentrating oil on caliper bolts, but nothing surprises me these days. :) If you replaced the rotors then you must be talking about the caliper bracket bolts, then yes I have. lol

When you push in the pistions you can put one of the old pads in there over the pistion and use the clamp on it, it gets you a couple of inches.

If they put the wrong backing isolator in the box, that would make me nervous.

[russiankid]

If the braking power is still poor, try bleeding the brakes.

[OptimusPrimeSr]

well glad you got it, a few things though..
What is rotor treatment?
I hope you didnt get pb blaster on the rotor you are using.

I have never had to use pentrating oil on caliper bolts, but nothing surprises me these days. :) If you replaced the rotors then you must be talking about the caliper bracket bolts, then yes I have. lol

When you push in the pistions you can put one of the old pads in there over the pistion and use the clamp on it, it gets you a couple of inches.

If they put the wrong backing isolator in the box, that would make me nervous.
Roo,

The bolt was just the bottom caliper bolt that you remove to swing the caliper off the pads and rotor. I used a very very tiny amount.

The rotor treatment was "De-Squeak from CRC".
http://www.crcind.com.au/catalogue.nsf/6a8ab9ca80cc8cc0ca2568c400016791/491d355250085ddbca256eac0081375a/BRND_productImage/0.84?OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=jpg
Description:
CRC De-Squeak prevents brake noise before it occurs. Metallic bonding formula fills grooves and imperfections in friction surfaces that commonly cause squeaks and squeals. Use CRC De-Squeak on new, freshly cut (turned) or existing brake rotors and drums. CRC De-Squeak is safe for use on all types of brake systems, including disc, drum and ABS. Prevents rust and oxidation build up.

Basically you just remove everything and spray it on both sides of the rotors. Then you put it all back together and do some neighborhood stop sign driving.

Good tip about the old brake pad for even pressure on the piston. I used the lid from a can of tomato paste.

Yeah, that was pretty sloppy of them to mismatch the pads and isolators. I'll look elsewhere next time.

[OptimusPrimeSr]

If the braking power is still poor, try bleeding the brakes.

Russian, will do. I'm hoping that the De-Squeak (above) was the cause. We'll see.

Thanks guys. Oh crap. I just remembered that I forgot to take pics of the bushings. Looks like the only obvious ones in need of replacement are the UCA. I just looks smashed.


tomorrow I'll be painting the rest of the trim...as long as the rain holds back. :cheers:

[2oodoor]

Roo,

The bolt was just the bottom caliper bolt that you remove to swing the caliper off the pads and rotor. I used a very very tiny amount.

The rotor treatment was "De-Squeak from CRC".
http://www.crcind.com.au/catalogue.nsf/6a8ab9ca80cc8cc0ca2568c400016791/491d355250085ddbca256eac0081375a/BRND_productImage/0.84?OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=jpg
Description:
CRC De-Squeak prevents brake noise before it occurs. Metallic bonding formula fills grooves and imperfections in friction surfaces that commonly cause squeaks and squeals. Use CRC De-Squeak on new, freshly cut (turned) or existing brake rotors and drums. CRC De-Squeak is safe for use on all types of brake systems, including disc, drum and ABS. Prevents rust and oxidation build up.

Basically you just remove everything and spray it on both sides of the rotors. Then you put it all back together and do some neighborhood stop sign driving.

Good tip about the old brake pad for even pressure on the piston. I used the lid from a can of tomato paste.

Yeah, that was pretty sloppy of them to mismatch the pads and isolators. I'll look elsewhere next time.

tomato paste can, a new addtion to the tool box.. LOL
where did you get the crc desqueak???I have never seen that. crc makes good products that work, no bs... I have never ever seen a product you spray on the rotor.. Im gonna try it on some cars.

[OptimusPrimeSr]

picked it up at autozone along with way too much brake grease and a few cans of autozone generic brake cleaner.

update on the brakes...smooth, responsive, and silent...

[mushroom_toy]

Good job man, hope to see ya Sunday.

[chino4u]

Hello and welcome...