My 81

[2ndGenGuy]

Holy freaking crap. That is one fine whip you got there. Damn. Mine has a red steering wheel and a digital clock, but other than that VERY similar. I have the LX trim, so my door panels are cloth and a couple other little differences. That car is my car's brotha from anotha motha.

2ndgenguy and I have prowled the US for parts and have had minimal luck. Some things are WAY overpriced, some people are flakey, and (my favorite) "Aw man, I crushed that car last week"... I think we're pretty resolved to just getting hold of an ENTIRE 5 speed 81 Accord, hopefully a 3 door. He's had my back on some stuff, though. This is good news because we have just increased the number of peeps looking for 1G parts by 33%. We're up to THREE. Man, I saw your whip and thought 'Damn, that's pimpin' right thurr.' I need belt moldings for the driver side hella bad right about now, plus other stuff. Pretty much if you find any 76-81 Accord, hit us up. Do not hesitate if you see a 1G, for it may be gone next time. We've had a few close calls, but been too late a lot. Here's a link to mine:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2403971

Stick around mang. Let's do this.

Hmm yet another upgrade of the LX. So far we have for the LX vs base model:

Power Antenna
Cloth door panels
Color matched wheel

Mine isn't an LX and has none of these features. Anything else you know of? I know that A/C was an option on the LX's too, but wasn't a base LX feature in itself.

[Cheeseburger]

haha I know what you mean about scarcity....as soon as I got it, I had to find a new ignition since the key would go in and spin and spin and spin (apparently it's rebuildable though). After a few calls I located the part, pricey, but apparently the last oem ignition of its type in western canada.

[wizzfish]

so what are ur plans with it??

plans are going to be to try and keep it rust free now that it will no longer be garage kept. The one dash speaker is alright actually for what it is but I might throw some 6x9s in the trunk, but under the tonneau cover to keep the stock look. I've got satellite radio which right now is just loosely sitting at the e brake, i plan on doing a proper install inside the glovebox with it (again to keep the stock look).

I'm thinking I might get some hella headlights for it but haven't really looked around, i'm a fan of having bright headlights

[wizzfish]

Hmm yet another upgrade of the LX. So far we have for the LX vs base model:
Power Antenna
Cloth door panels
Color matched wheel
Mine isn't an LX and has none of these features. Anything else you know of? I know that A/C was an option on the LX's too, but wasn't a base LX feature in itself.

i read somewhere that the LX in later years came with more than one speaker? Like, proper stereo speakers?

[offthahook]

As far as how to do the 5-speed swap. I think that the manual and auto both had different carbs. But the axles are the same from what I've researched, and just the shift linkage and pedal cluster need to be changed out.

Yes, the axles are all the same BUT you guys will have to stick with 1981 years ONLY. I don't know the difference, but it seems 81 is exclusive for these Accords. If yours are good, I'd reuse them and maybe just replace the boots while they're off. The carb. issue just sucks, esp. if you go stock. I'm pretty sure there is a hack for reusing an AT carb. with a 5 speed swap, but I have no clue how to do it. There has to be an old Honda tech. SOMEWHERE who remembers the carbs. and could say "yay" or "nay." That emissions black box and all the lines are a nightmare if you ever have to mess with them. Also, I found out that you guys would have to get a 5 speed from an Accord (possibly a Lude) with the same steering setup and body style as you have now. I don't know what the difference is, but the interchange seems to always ask 1.) Sedan or hatch and 2.) Manual or power steering. Again, it may be able to be worked around. But, damn, that is a narrow field to pick from if Honda made it so you both have to score 5 speeds from an 81, 3 door, manual steering box. More parts for me though becaus that means TWO whips have to be located.

Also, the radiator might have to have some plugs put in. I think (not sure) there is a transmission cooler on the AT that uses the radiator for a couple lines. I think the aftermarket radiators are setup for either transmission, but OEM used different radiators. Again, you might be able to work around that and just plug the holes.

Lastly, you could get the cluster out of the donor vehicle because the AT's (as you know) have the digital gear indicator at the bottom of the tach. and the shift points on the speedometer. Probably not a big deal and I don't know if wiring is involved. I know going from a 5 speed to an AT would involve wiring, but I dunno the other way. Center consoles are the same. Now, go find those donor cars!

[offthahook]

Hmm yet another upgrade of the LX. So far we have for the LX vs base model:
Power Antenna
Cloth door panels
Color matched wheel
Mine isn't an LX and has none of these features. Anything else you know of? I know that A/C was an option on the LX's too, but wasn't a base LX feature in itself.

That power antenna is NOT an LX item. It's an SE item as far as I know. I have no idea how mine got on there, but it's tight. Here are the differences as I recall. LX gets:

Variable assist PS
FULL carpet-- lower door panels, too!
Door courtesy lights
AC standard
Digital clock
Nice upholstery/cloth door panels
Tonneau cover for hatch area
STEEL BELTED RADIALS!!

The LX didn't get the passenger side mirror, any audio upgrades, special rims, or rear mudguards. Those would all have been dealer added. Not sure why you guys have black wheels. I thought the 76-8 Accords ALL had black wheels, but the pretty greens, blues, reds, and creams came in 1979 regardless of trim. That's my memory right there...

EDIT-- I just looked in my 81 brochure and it shows the base 3 door with a black wheel and cream interior. It doesn't mention anything about it, but the 3 doorLX and the sedan dash pics have color coded steering wheels. Maybe that is why you guys have black wheels. I never knew until now...

[offthahook]

haha I know what you mean about scarcity....as soon as I got it, I had to find a new ignition since the key would go in and spin and spin and spin (apparently it's rebuildable though). After a few calls I located the part, pricey, but apparently the last oem ignition of its type in western canada.

Man that really sucks. An auction on ebay just ended and they had SIXTY of those ignitions, with keys, in one sale. $13 was the ending price I believe. I damn near bid on them myself, but 60 is overkill. DO NOT ever throw away your old parts. Like you said, your ignition can be rebuilt. It would suck to just need a part (even a bad one to rebuild) and know you threw one away. Save your stuff if only to see how it works or fits!

[wizzfish]

$13 US for sixty?!?!?! Holy shit.....multiply that by 10 and that's what I paid in canadian for one.

This thread is keeping me heavily distracted from studying too hard for a midterm tomorrow, I like it.

[forrest89sei]

Very NICE!

A '81 Accord up north in that shape has GOT TO BE RARE!!

[79cord]

Though the electric pillar ariel sounded special so SE believeable, [advertised as a special to celebrate a decade of sales in the US].
Thought rear speakers in the 'C' pillars were part of LX Spec. But Aust only ever got one spec so here they were dealer fitted accessories with their rather ugly & sun-damage prone rectangular covers.
While Alloy wheels for the cars are original dealer accessories or period accessories with little available these days for them...But then the US Accords were infamous for being overloaded with dealer accessories for dealers to justify substantial price increases for cars that were in high demand & with buyer waiting lists.
All our Accords got those 8-slot steel wheels but old US ads & roadtests suggest they also got 4-slot & 10? slot steel wheel designs as well
Wish I could pick up some of the later LX colour matched steering wheels, seatbelts & door winders/latch surrounds. I painted my door winders &latch surrounds but paint scratches too easily & knew it wouldn't last on the s/wheel.

Regarding Driveshafts I think the changes were limited to replacing the split-pin & castellated nut on the end with a hammer-pegged collar-nut & a revised head on the outboard ends -squared to splines rather than tapering to the ends to match a new seal in the Hub-carrier, and a revised internal CV-joint system, but the spline pattern didn't change (unlike the '81 prelude) so driveshafts remained interchangeable. Note that '80 & '81 had different hub carriers than earlier models with a circlip retaining the wheelbearings rather that a bolted on retaining ring.

After the major changes late in '78 for the '79 model year with a new drivetrain, frt panels and revised frt structure, rear suspension & handbrake the changes for '81 seem less radical.
The major '81 changes were a revised & raised 'trans-tunnel' floor for a new g/shift linkage & mtgs, even affecting ctr console & frt seat mountings.(Also carried out on Preludes). But comparing my '79 & '81 Prelude g/boxes the outer castings did not change & would appear interchangeable although Ratio's were revised with the '81 Accord apparently having a higher, cruisier diff ratio than the Prelude or earlier Accords. Beware that on my Prelude the flywheel to crankshaft bolts were revised from M10 to M12 though (same as '82-3?) so you'll need the two to match.
Auto distributors also differed here (non-CVCC) with different advance/retard vacuum controls but Carburettor differences looked like screwed-on ancillery vacuum controls, but I think both also varied slightly according to year.
Even '81 radiators/fans seemed to have been revised but would no-doubt be interchangeable.
Edit: forgot that Auto engine mount rubbers also claim to be different -probably softer.

Heard '82-3 1601 EL pistons might be the go -same bore & stroke but domed to raise compression from 8.5 to 9.1 ?

[offthahook]

$13 US for sixty?!?!?! Holy shit.....multiply that by 10 and that's what I paid in canadian for one.

This thread is keeping me heavily distracted from studying too hard for a midterm tomorrow, I like it.

My man, go to ebay.com (US version) and search for item # 200035060649. No wires, but the switch is there X60. Makes me wanna get an extra just in case.

[chickensandwich]

how many clicks are you getting per tank??

[offthahook]

i read somewhere that the LX in later years came with more than one speaker? Like, proper stereo speakers?

Maybe 82 or later did. AFAIK, the 1st generation of Accords got no factory audio. Well, maybe that center dash speaker, but no more. My 3 door has the speakers on the C pillar, but it's not factory. My 84 3 door came with the wiring roughed in, but no factory audio. Early Honda models rolled off the line with no radios, speakers, etc. The dealer could install Honda OEM stuff for a grip of money or an audio shop could do it. I think many dealers really padded the invoice price with "nice" stereos to make more money off the sale. As late as 1991 and maybe later, the DX Accord, the base Prelude, and the CRX's had no factory stereos. ALL were dealer added accessories. But the LX, EX, SE Accords and higher end Ludes had factory stereo setups. In summation, Honda's experience with OEM decks has always sucked.

[wizzfish]

I'm going to hope this board has auto image resizing in it, here's some pics I took the other day of it:

[2ndGenGuy]

Woah sweet pictures man! Car looks great! Makes me wanna go out and get more pictures.

[Hazwan]

yeah nice pics man

[offthahook]

Nice whip. The only thing I don't "like" is the wheels. I would throw some shrome beauty rings on there to give it a more finished look. Other than that small detail, I'm feeling that car. That is a gem.

[offthahook]

Hmm yet another upgrade of the LX. So far we have for the LX vs base model:
Power Antenna
Cloth door panels
Color matched wheel
Mine isn't an LX and has none of these features. Anything else you know of? I know that A/C was an option on the LX's too, but wasn't a base LX feature in itself.

Dude, I was looking at your 81 on boompa. I noticed those covers that surround the steering column/combination switches are black. Mine are maroon, like the steering wheel. I wonder if that's another LX "upgrade". It would look silly to have the steering wheel and those covers not have the same color. I just never noticed until I saw your car. Didn't you put a 3rd gen. steering wheel in your 84? Did you also use 3rd gen. column covers or did you paint your 2nd gen. covers black?

[2ndGenGuy]

Dude, I was looking at your 81 on boompa. I noticed those covers that surround the steering column/combination switches are black. Mine are maroon, like the steering wheel. I wonder if that's another LX "upgrade". It would look silly to have the steering wheel and those covers not have the same color. I just never noticed until I saw your car. Didn't you put a 3rd gen. steering wheel in your 84? Did you also use 3rd gen. column covers or did you paint your 2nd gen. covers black?

Yeah I think only the LX got the color matched wheel and steering column in the first gen. Mine are all black.

In my second gen, which is an LX, the wheel and column were colormatched blue to the rest of the interior. I painted the column black just thinking it would look better matched to the 3rd gen wheel. Turns out that the 3rd gens have the EXACT same steering column cover. But they're all black to go with the wheel.

Man a 3rd gen wheel colormatched blue might look pretty tight in the ol' 2nd Gen.

[offthahook]

Yeah I think only the LX got the color matched wheel and steering column in the first gen. Mine are all black.
In my second gen, which is an LX, the wheel and column were colormatched blue to the rest of the interior. I painted the column black just thinking it would look better matched to the 3rd gen wheel. Turns out that the 3rd gens have the EXACT same steering column cover. But they're all black to go with the wheel.
Man a 3rd gen wheel colormatched blue might look pretty tight in the ol' 2nd Gen.

Weird that I never knew the 1G "later" Accord base models had black steering wheels and column covers. I'm pretty sure the 76-8 Accords all got black steering wheels and covers. I think the LX trim line started in 78. Man, the year to year changes are hard to keep up with!

I never thought of painting a 3rd gen Accord wheel and column covers for a 2G Accord. That might be tight. I think all the 2G Accords got color keyed steering wheels and column covers. I did paint my lower dash panels blue in my 84 Accord. They were black from the factory, now they're blue and it kinda completes the blueness. To me, the black just looked unfinished.

[2ndGenGuy]

Weird that I never knew the 1G "later" Accord base models had black steering wheels and column covers. I'm pretty sure the 76-8 Accords all got black steering wheels and covers. I think the LX trim line started in 78. Man, the year to year changes are hard to keep up with!
I never thought of painting a 3rd gen Accord wheel and column covers for a 2G Accord. That might be tight. I think all the 2G Accords got color keyed steering wheels and column covers. I did paint my lower dash panels blue in my 84 Accord. They were black from the factory, now they're blue and it kinda completes the blueness. To me, the black just looked unfinished.

Yeah, when I put in the black wheel, I really thought it made the car look unfinished. But when I tossed in the black 3rd gen shif boot and knob, it actually completed the look. I love the feel of the 3rd gen wheel. The 2nd gen wheel is just too skinny for me. I won't mind the skinny so much in the 1g with it's stock wheel...

[79cord]

All this talk about LX vs base model I thought I should point this out to you:
http://nipponklassik.de/artikel/24/01.htm
I sent a copy to them last year -I've been collecting early Accord articles for a while.
Puts the car in perspective -they weren't cheap and offered qualities far beyond those expected in a car of its size -& the value of the Yen went crazy that year -up something like 50% !
edit : Sorry I was exaggerating a bit far there. The book I'd read was published early in '78 & sugested a 20% rise in the value of the yen over the previous year.
& in passing it also mentioned Honda selling 246,000 cars in Japan & exporting 450,000 in '77 -down 1.3% in Japan & up 44.8% elsewhere compared to '76 ! -how much of that could be attributed directly to the Accord!
(from WORLD CARS 1978).

[speedpenguin]

Wow how did I miss this thread! This car is awesome!

[Civic Accord Honda]

Damn that car is mint

[wizzfish]

i hate winter