Finally back into the 3rd Gen., Ohio

[bscanlan]

Nice to be back. Here is how it goes. I was coming off an Altima lease in 99 and I happened upon an 89 SEi coupe in a dealer lot. I drove it, and as each of you already knows, I was hooked! I then started a business with my family, moved, (and had to get an apartment), and was not allowed multiple cars at the complex. I parked the Accord at an uncle's house through the winter, but had to sell within a year and a half because I just couldn't keep that many vehicles.

That was 2000. I bought a 1984 Anniversary Edition 300zx in 2003(still have) and that was my toy/project. But the Accord was in the back of my mind. in 2006 I started to keep my eye on things, but a career change (teacher) set things back a bit. In 2009 I started working full-time after (more) school, and I went to "list-Alert" to get email updates every time a 3rd gen went up for sale on any of 10 regional Craigslists. After many months, I recently decided it was time to go, so I came here for advice and I started to look. Wow, what a bunch of rust and bondo-buckets here near the great lakes!

Story is getting long, so, drove to Virginia yesterday (400 miles), back to Ohio today, and I am finally back!

And, since this is my 5th post...pics to follow.

[bscanlan]

I guess specifics would be good. 1988 LXi Coupe










Sorry, I will take some exterior pics tomorrow

[lostforawhile]

you would be a lot happier with a five speed swap,search on here and it will tell you exactly how to do it step by step, it's all bolt in and some very minor wire changes, I also grew up on the great lakes and I'll tell you a trick to keep the rust off, they used to do this in the old days, save your used oil,get a garden sprayer, and right before the salt blooms in the winder, spray the crap out of the bottom of the car,especially the crevices, everything but the exhaust,converter etc, now go drive down a dusty road a few times, the dust will coat the oil, this sounds nasty, but will stop rust dead in it's tracks, in the spring when the last slush is melted and the salt trucks go into hibernation,, simply pressure wash the bottom of the car off. This was done up in the north since cars existed, there used to be places that you could pay to do this, but the EPA banned them, much better then the undercoating which cracks and lets in water. Also look for a product from ZEP called LPS3, it's a waxy rust preventive, take off the door panels and get to any low spot in the car and spray the crap out of it, the stuff is great, seaplane pilots use it to prevent salt water corrosion. An application not directly exposed to weather will last for years. What happens is the salt ends up as dust and gets into the low spots in the car by being mixed with regular dirt and dust, then condensation lets water form in those areas, and you end up with concentrated salt water that rusts the car from the inside out

[bscanlan]

Thanks Lost. I actually used that trick on our dumptruck for a few years. Thankfully however, though this one will see occasional rain, it will not see snow.

[Dr_Snooz]

The car looks pretty cherry. What are your plans for it?

[bscanlan]

Thanks Doc! I keep forgetting to post exterior pics, so the passenger rear wheel well bubbling is not visible to others. So cutting out the metal and redoing is a second priority. First is valve cover, head, oil pan, and other gaskets following a clean and inspect. With 200K I know I will need to take care of some seals, hoses, rubber etc. After that: figure out why my cruise does not work, speakers and rehab original radio, eventually paint. I want to drive it and enjoy it, and maybe even find like-minded folks in Northern Ohio to hang with.

[247shuer247]

welcome man that interior looks real solid so thats one big issue you dont need to worry about lol

looking forward to seeing all the work you do on here man keep us posted on everything

[bscanlan]

Thanks Shuer, there is some truth to your signature line I too am looking forward to my work on the car. Had I not spent too much on it, I would have more right now to work with, but its a tinker toy for the winter and we will see where we are in the spring.

[gtoman]

Good look'n coupe. I wish my interior looked that nice.

[bscanlan]

Thanks GTO. I looked at a few prior to buying this, and I decided that any rust other than minor rust, and ANY interiors problems wouldn't do, so I kept looking until I found this one.

[obdriver6]

Welcome and where are the exterior pics!?

[bscanlan]

I'll be damned, but I did not get many exterior pics before she got to looking like this. and now she is missing many more pieces. I guess I will have to keep updating pics when they show progress, and by the spring/summer here in Ohio, I should have a much better car to photograph.

[bscanlan]

Oh yeah I almost forgot. Your project (obdriver6) pics this spring were part of my inspiration to finally make the purchase and get going. I have a good deal of the 200K miles to undo in the engine compartment.

[obdriver6]

Oh yeah I almost forgot. Your project (obdriver6) pics this spring were part of my inspiration to finally make the purchase and get going. I have a good deal of the 200K miles to undo in the engine compartment.

The coupe is looking good and I'm flattered I inspired you!

[bscanlan]

OK. Been busy and finally getting things back together in the bay. Engine is sitting a little tilted, and I am not sure why. The mounts are all new and all connected, so maybe it was tilted the other way when I got her. Anyway, here she is as of today.

[2oodoor]

You can adjust the driver side mount some, loosen it up and jack up the motor by the oil pan (gently) with a board on the floor jack to get it even , then tighten.
It's usually best to loosen all of them a bit first so none if them bind or damage when you're adjusting.

[bscanlan]

She is back in and running. I think I have an air bubble in the cooling system as I am not sure I am getting fluid circulation. If anyone has any thoughts I would appreciate it. I followed the service manual steps and although I am not going past normal operating temp, I am still not sure there is any evidence of fluid circulation. But she is looking better



Also got some new goodies