1989 Honda Accord SE-I Coupe

[Losiracer2]

Picked up this Accord about 2 weeks ago in Tucson, AZ. Has 42,390 original miles on it. The car was purchased in Hawaii and shipped to Tucson, AZ in 1996 where it stayed until my rescue of it. It ran and drove but had a pretty bad coolant leak which I found out was coming from either the back of the coolant pipe and the intake manifold barbs. The old lady that owned it had only driven it 4k miles in the last 22 years! so basically every coolant hose, and component that touched coolant had to be replaced, not an easy task especially since there were over 13 hoses to remove, not including the Coolant pipe behind the block and under the intake manifold.

Things I had to do to restore it to running and driving condition:

-rebuilt and rebooted the original driveshafts
-purchased an Aisin Timing belt kit
-replaced all hoses with Gates molded ones
-new Honda Thermostat and Radiator with Honda Type 2 blue coolant
-new VC gasket
-new NGK sparkplugs
-replaced leaky injectors with good condition used ones
-new air filter
-replaced 195/60/14 LR tire that was bald
-new LF headlight socket for motor arm
-drained and filled Tranny with Honda ATF
-Oil and Filter change with Honda filter and Honda Synthetic Blend 5w30 oil
-new front hydraulic motor mount, rear mount and torque mount inserts

Here's some photos of when I got it:

[Losiracer2]

How I towed it home and accessories I found inside along with documentation provided

[Losiracer2]

This is amazing, after 29 years, they were able to provide me with this:

[Losiracer2]

By some stroke of luck, I was able to find a guy parting out a knocking A20 engine from an 89 LXi. Since it was an AZ car, everything came apart rather easily and they maintained it with regular coolant changes so the pipe I found is spotless. I also managed to grab the coolant bypass metal pipe near the IACV. $35 for both but I had to remove it. It was a bitch to take out and this engine was sitting on the ground outside a car.

[Losiracer2]

Got her running and driving on Wed of this week. Here's some pics of it after I did a basic wash on it:







Also was able to get the AZ Copper Historic plates since its over 25 years old. I love these plates, they're super strong, made by prison inmates and weigh about 3x heavier than the tin ones. They're also the only ones with the embossed letters and numbers







Also was able to have the DMV change the incorrect mileage of 138k on the previous title to the correct 42k miles currently on the odometer. Took me about 4 days of going back and forth to the Honda dealer to verify it, they had to correctly make an odometer statement about the miles being actual and it was pretty much a nightmare. But its done! and documented!



Also removed the Sheriffs volunteers sticker and revealed original Hawaii inspection stickers from 1993, I'm leaving those on there.



Took it to its very first car show....don't mind my funny stance, my friend didn't give me any warning when he took the photo.

[Losiracer2]

Also my friend tossed me keys to his NSX since he wanted to drive a mint 42k mile accord so bad.....this was a FUN car! Best driving experience of my life so far

[Shane86]

Picked up this Accord about 2 weeks ago in Tucson, AZ. Has 42,390 original miles on it. The car was purchased in Hawaii and shipped to Tucson, AZ in 1996 where it stayed until my rescue of it. It ran and drove but had a pretty bad coolant leak which I found out was coming from either the back of the coolant pipe and the intake manifold barbs. The old lady that owned it had only driven it 4k miles in the last 22 years! so basically every coolant hose, and component that touched coolant had to be replaced, not an easy task especially since there were over 13 hoses to remove, not including the Coolant pipe behind the block and under the intake manifold.

Things I had to do to restore it to running and driving condition:

-rebuilt and rebooted the original driveshafts
-purchased an Aisin Timing belt kit
-replaced all hoses with Gates molded ones
-new Honda Thermostat and Radiator with Honda Type 2 blue coolant
-new VC gasket
-new NGK sparkplugs
-replaced leaky injectors with good condition used ones
-new air filter
-replaced 195/60/14 LR tire that was bald
-new LF headlight socket for motor arm
-drained and filled Tranny with Honda ATF
-Oil and Filter change with Honda filter and Honda Synthetic Blend 5w30 oil
-new front hydraulic motor mount, rear mount and torque mount inserts

Here's some photos of when I got it:

welcome look super clean. The motor uses 10w30 oil

[Losiracer2]

welcome look super clean. The motor uses 10w30 oil

Would that be why its a little noisy at idle? I've got a 4th gen accord, although with an H22 swap that isn't as loud.

[Honda#1]

Welcome! Clean AF rare SE-i coupe! A collectible for sure! It's better to drive them than store them for two decades since you have to replace parts to get it drivable again despite the low mileage. The hoses rot out and mechanical stuff doesn't lubricate just sitting. Glad you foud and "rescued" the top dog Accord 3g. Have fun!!

[Honda#1]

You guys in AZ have the coolest historic plates! They go so well with the car. Don't do any crazy mods to it. The SE-i is a one-of-a-kind Accord. Fully loaded and looking at it present day, it seemed so futuristic.

[Honda#1]

My '83 LX hatch with historic plates from IL

[Oldblueaccord]

Would that be why its a little noisy at idle? I've got a 4th gen accord, although with an H22 swap that isn't as loud.

Might need a valve adjustment. Its over looked alot with our Hondas. People dont understand there adjustable susposed to be checked at 12k intervals.


I would also try and verifiy when the timing belt was done if ever. Its listed for 60k changed out but I have gone over 100k...BUT.. that was on a newer belt I dont think the old ones construction was as good if its original.

Personally I run 10w40 Havoline. Always have since the 80's. There better oils out there but thats the one I use in my older rides.

[Losiracer2]

Might need a valve adjustment. Its over looked alot with our Hondas. People dont understand there adjustable susposed to be checked at 12k intervals.


I would also try and verifiy when the timing belt was done if ever. Its listed for 60k changed out but I have gone over 100k...BUT.. that was on a newer belt I dont think the old ones construction was as good if its original.

Personally I run 10w40 Havoline. Always have since the 80's. There better oils out there but thats the one I use in my older rides.

The timing belt, WP and tensioner along with all the accessory belts were all original. Had Honda part numbers on each. I saved everything I removed just for that preservation aspect. Suprisingly it started and ran fine with 30 year old belts, but I didn't want to risk anything so I bought an Aisin Timing belt kit which included new belt, tensioner and pump and also bought new Bando accessory belts.

[gp02a0083]

x2 you guys got nice historic plates, here in NJ we get the came color plates , however the first or last two characters are QQ. looks really clean, seems like basic maintenance and sensible upkeep on the aging parts is all this car needs. great find

[jjsamc]

Great job on that car. Good to know all these old people in Arizona still have some excellent finds stashed away.
What car show you normally take it to?

[Losiracer2]

I took it to the Pavilions car show in Scottsdale. But I'm currently in Michigan right now, had to go back for work, so the car's being stored at my friends garage until I figure out what I want to do with it. Whether to post it up on Bring a Trailer, Sell it to another Acura/Honda collector, or keep it for when I visit family in AZ.

[carotman]

Great car you got there!

[Tdurr]

whaaa this is so rad. I want it so bad lol. Looks like ur taking great care of the car! keep it dont sell it. and super jealous u got to drive a nsx. one of my dream cars right there.

[Honda#1]

You should keep it! Then after a few years of enjoying it, you can let another Honda enthusiast get their turn. That's what I would do.

[Losiracer2]

whaaa this is so rad. I want it so bad lol. Looks like ur taking great care of the car! keep it dont sell it. and super jealous u got to drive a nsx. one of my dream cars right there.

You should keep it! Then after a few years of enjoying it, you can let another Honda enthusiast get their turn. That's what I would do.

yeah, I really only had less than 2 weeks time off, including picking this car up from Tucson and fixing it. Really only got to put about 300 miles on it and most of that was spent going to the DMV for 4 days in a row getting the title situation straightened out. I really want to take it to that one car show in CA, called Radwood where I know it'll be enjoyed by others and I'll be able to get a nice road trip out of it.

[MessyHonda]

nice rescue. that is the best of the best for 1989.

[Losiracer2]

Hey Guys,
I just listed my SEi on Bring A Trailer after restoring the cooling system extensively. It now has a new radiator in addition to a Aisin Timing Belt and Water Pump kit and drives great.

go check it out if you're interested! Thanks!

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-honda-accord/