deathconfess's 89 lx project thread

[Deathconfess]

Hey guys. I finally got some time and money to fix up th ole accord. My plans are to completly rebuild the motor, fi swap, and new suspension componets. I'm planing on taking roughly 3 months to complete this project. Just going to take my time and do it piece by piece.

[HON-DUH]

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[Deathconfess]

Yeah. She WAS running great until the clutch went out. I made the mistake of letting someone else change it and the idiot didn't put the clamps back on the plumbing and one of them popped off on the hwy... car started smoking and freaking out. Then came the knock which I'm thinking its a rod bearing, but we will see once I start disassembling the motor. I have some pics but I'm unfarmiliar with how to post them from my phone. Ill try to update as much as I can, and I will be taking photos for you guys to see how its going.

[Dr_Snooz]

Good stuff! Post lots of pics.

[Deathconfess]

Ok so today I got the final hoses and wires disconnected and all labeled. Tomorrow I'm strapping up and pulling the motor out. the cooling system is beyond gone. New cooling system componets are a must for rebuilld. Can anyone tell me how to post pics on here plase?

[obdriver6]

You have to host them in another website (flickr, photobucket, and many more that I cant remember). Then copy and paste the BBcode on a reply.

[Deathconfess]

Everything is all ready to hoist the motor up BUT the half axles. The balljoints litterally feel like they are welded in place. My balljoint tool doesn't even budge them and I spent over 2 hours trying to hammer it out with a 2.5 lb hammer... my arms feel like jello and I've had absolutly no progress in 2 days... I've tried wedging it, pounding it, and beating the crap out of it... nothing. Any ideas?

[2oodoor]

Maybe you need the smaller pickle fork used for tie rods. Im assuming u are using a fork since u beating on it correct? Once you do pop it loose you have to hold pressurE down on it to pull out the knuckle and hub

[Deathconfess]

Maybe you need the smaller pickle fork used for tie rods. Im assuming u are using a fork since u beating on it correct? Once you do pop it loose you have to hold pressurE down on it to pull out the knuckle and hub

Yes I am. Ill go by the auto parts store when I have time and see if they got another tool I can use. I read a post about using 2 hammers hitting the bottom of the knuckle at the same time to pop it out but I had n9 luck with that either

[2oodoor]

Try flipping the tool around too, notice the angle of the wedge is different depending whicha way its in.

[Deathconfess]

A guy I work with got a whole set so I'm going to try a different size when I get off tonight.

[2oodoor]

Turn the hub an all out towards you and get i from the front. I always pop the tie rod too to make it easier to deal with. Once you got the lower arm dropped put the axle nut back on and tap it to push the axle in , not too hard if your reusing it!

[Deathconfess]

Turn the hub an all out towards you and get i from the front. I always pop the tie rod too to make it easier to deal with. Once you got the lower arm dropped put the axle nut back on and tap it to push the axle in , not too hard if your reusing it!

I'm not reusing any of the suspension componets so I'm not really worried about damageing anything lol

[Deathconfess]

Ok so here's a pic of were I sit and wait for my tools to come in.



Tools should be in tomorrow along with my new gaskets, oil pump, and bearings.

[Deathconfess]

Got my tools in today... got the suspension apart and the axles out. Ran outta time. (Had to come to work) engine will be out tomorrow morning!

[Deathconfess]

Today I finished getting the motor out!



There's a major oil leak somewhere near the head. Oil sludge covers the block and lower engine bay.



Next step is to finish stripping the engine bay and then prep for paint. Followed by new suspension componets. Thinking of doing a 5 lug conversion to fit a sweet set of oem s2000 rims that a friend of mine has for sale as well.

[2oodoor]

I see you did the quick out method!... Axles still hangin in there, sounds like a plan though. Power steering makes things nasty.

[Deathconfess]

Yep sure did. The passenger side suspension was hell to get loose so I just left it there for now.

[bscanlan]

Major oil leak "somewhere", and oil sludge covering lower half of everything. This describes mine exactly! I have had the motor hanging on a hoise for almost two months, and I take an hour a day to remove, clean and paint, or simply toothbrush some portion of the engine and tranny. I just painted to engine bay yesterday so I will have to post pics, but damn the oil sludge.

[Deathconfess]

Major oil leak "somewhere", and oil sludge covering lower half of everything. This describes mine exactly! I have had the motor hanging on a hoise for almost two months, and I take an hour a day to remove, clean and paint, or simply toothbrush some portion of the engine and tranny. I just painted to engine bay yesterday so I will have to post pics, but damn the oil sludge.

Yea its pretty bad. I'm not looking forward to cleaning my engine bay... I got some simple green and a few cans of brake cleaner. Should work pretty good. As far as the motor, I'm completly stripping it down to the block and going to have it cleaned. But that's a month away lol. Gathering suspension parts as of now. But definatly post those pics! Id love to see your work!

[bscanlan]

Yeah, the cleaning of the sludge is just plain slow; no easy way that I have found. I have bought boxes of 3M scratch pads and sponges, 10 packs of shop towels, and massive concentrated degreaser and simple green, and oh yeah lots of autozone spray bottles. Once done I was ready to start masking.



Gloss black seemed right.


Almost seems fit for an engine.

Just short of four months in, this is where I am. I almost feel like I have turned a corner when I can tough the engine compartment without nitrile gloves on. Keep posting pics of yours too.

[Deathconfess]

Looks awesome! Did u try uing a pressure washer to clean the engine bay? That's what I'm going to be doing. Got a few bottles of simple green too. Ill be posting more pics when I start the suspension probably next weekend. Might start taking out my ac componets and cleaning little by little as you did. I don't care to have my work space filled with parts lol

[bscanlan]

I did not do anything except hand spraying degreaser and/or simple green. The degreaser was much more effective, so I sprayed, sponged and scrubbed with occasional toothbrushing, then washed it with simple green, let sit for five, and wash with water and wipe dry with a sponge. Slow process, but I just sat on a chair, listened to music and took my time. I expect to be ready for exterior paint and reassembly in may. So I should have time. Suspension is after an undercarriage clean and paint, and motor reinstall. Keep those pics coming.

[redneck]

lookin good there, and yea guys a tooth brush is pretty good tool. and brake cleaner works good for knockin it out quick but is costly.

[bscanlan]

If you look to the right of the tranny, on the table, you see a three-pack of toothbrushes. You can never have too many.