Confessions of a serial 1989 Accord Exi abuser

[WellDoctor]

I have been the custodian of the family 89 Accord Exi for the last 8 years since my father-in law gave up driving at the age of 91. Current mileage is 247,000kms and its all original

Since then I have driven the beast with little thought for maintenance apart from:

Regular Oil and filters - every 3 months
Spark Plugs
Transmission Oil change.
Exhaust system replaced
Tires.

Last month the upper control arm broke (original) which I have fixed myself but in doing so I have come the realise the following:

The Body is rotted out and the mechanicals are still in very good shape and I really like the car plus its been an important part of my family's history.

So rather than just junk it I've bought a 1988 Accord LX from Southern California so now I've got an Exi and the Lx.

What would folks recommend about an engine/transmission transplant after I've refurbished the injected engine and auto tranny?

Maybe a mild tune-up for more power.

I'm really open to ideas.

Anybody know the best way to keep the rust at bay in Calgary apart from not driving 9 months of the year.

WellDoctor

[MessyHonda]

you could convert your LX to fuel injection if you want to part out your EXI.

[WellDoctor]

you could convert your LX to fuel injection if you want to part out your EXI.

What I had in mind once I get the car back from California is to pull the engine and transmission from the EXi, refurbish both, then drop them into the LX. That would also give me the opportunity for a little 'tuning' for a bit more getup and go.

Any further ideas will always be given a good thinking over.

[carotman]

250K ish kms isn't a lot on these engines.

I don't think you need to do anything than regular maintenance. How many miles on the LX?

[WellDoctor]

250K ish kms isn't a lot on these engines.

I don't think you need to do anything than regular maintenance. How many miles on the LX?

180,000miles Going to pick it up and drive it back at month end so I'll have lots of opportunity to decide how good the LX engine is.

The EX engine runs really well and no oil consumption but if I'm going to pull it I might as well pull it apart and check out the internal wear - the very least I can do is replace the bearings and rings and seals. Similarly the tranny is still shifting smooth etc but once its out of the car having a look and cleaning it out is not that hard even if I don't take it apart.

Thanks for your comments I appreciate them

[lostforawhile]

180,000miles Going to pick it up and drive it back at month end so I'll have lots of opportunity to decide how good the LX engine is.

The EX engine runs really well and no oil consumption but if I'm going to pull it I might as well pull it apart and check out the internal wear - the very least I can do is replace the bearings and rings and seals. Similarly the tranny is still shifting smooth etc but once its out of the car having a look and cleaning it out is not that hard even if I don't take it apart.

Thanks for your comments I appreciate them

no need to tear it apart, just replace the timing belt and anything that is leaking etc, if it has good compression and doesn't burn oil, it has a lot more miles in it then that

[WellDoctor]

Thanks for your opinion I think your right its got lots of life left so why throw it away?

Once I get the LX home its time to turn some wrenches


Recommendations on changing an alternator on a 89 Exi mine just died.

Go through the bottom and remove the axle or take the air cleaner and pull it through the top.

What's a good replacement brand?

Thanks WD

[thecavemandan]

no need to tear it apart, just replace the timing belt and anything that is leaking etc, if it has good compression and doesn't burn oil, it has a lot more miles in it then that

I agree.. Do timing, seals, and keep er going!

[WellDoctor]

Hi everyone,

Arrived back in Calgary with my new acquisition - 1988 Accord LXi from Garden Grove California. 2950 miles and not so much as a burp from the old girl now nicknamed "The Duchess'.

All I did before I left was change oil/filter and a 2x transmission flush with Honda ATF.

For anybody buying in the States and taking a car across the border - its a hassle as the US Homeland Security require you to submit everything on line as of 01/10/2014 and I couldn't access the onl-line system, had to go through a customs broker who took longer as they had trouble with the system. Canada Customs was no problem as the paperowrk was in order pay the GST and AC tax and your on your way. Last step is the out of province inspection - having just driven almost 3,000 miles I know its been taken care of.

Next step is clean-up and getting ready for a 'refresh' in the engine and transmission department - nothing radical - carb to injection and enjoy for another long time. Sure is nice to have a machine with no rust when I compare it to my Exi - but I prefer the EXi power package.

Happy tinkering.





Just finished replacing the alternator on the 89 EXi.

Pulled it up and out after removing the air cleaner etc

Had to pull the water pump pulley as well to get the top bracket off.

All in all if you've got an injected engine you don't need to follow the manual.

I'm sure I'm not the first to go this way as its a lot less hassle than the recommended way through the bottom and front drivers side wheel well.

And a hell of a lot cheaper than taking it to a mechanic.

WellDoctor

[Hash_man_Se_i]

Hey WellDoctor, I haven't been on the forum in very long but glad to see another 3g owner in town join up! Send me a PM on here as i am always interested in meeting fellow accord owners and don't mind lending a hand with some tinkering if you ever need it!

Cheers!