Calabek : 1987 Accord Aerodeck LXR-S

[Calabek]

The adaptor for the Webers came in today ! Purrdyy
I shit you not, 7 days from California, USA to Adelaide, Australia. Insane shipping.

[Calabek]

Kleenex should cut me in on the tissue sales about to happen ! This is where it's fucking at !







Unfortunately however, we've had our first little hiccup. Which really isn't too much of a hiccup. But, there was a water drip in the shop which messed up half of the paint in the bay. The other half had a bad reaction to embedded brake fluid / power steering fluid in the metal so we've had to strip it right back and do it again. I've also included pictures of some small cuts/welds that were made were rust was the worst. The boys have done a super solid and sanded down all the seam sealant too so there'll be no bumps from it in the paint... wait, I hope that made sense ? Meh... just look at the pics.




^ The seam sealant I was talking about




^ The two welds I was talking about

That's all for now. Stripping will finish tomorrow and we should get the base coat on in time for it to have a good dry over the weekend and then back to it on Monday. Peace !

[Calabek]

The paint is on and it's fucking mint !!!! The satin finish is perfect !!!!





Below is a really bad picture of all 3 finishes together, haha. Satin on the body, wrinkle on the mount and gloss on the subframe.



The transmission housing is also now cleaned up ! First with some degreaser, then a wire wheel and finally a buff wheel. It matches the block so well now !



That's all for now. It's lookin' so good and everything is on track. Ahhhh so keeen !!!

[Calabek]

So I get home after going to the shop and get a message from one of the boys "Ready to get your panties wet ?"

[Dr_Snooz]

That's gonna look so good, until you drive it for the first time. Then it will all look like it did before. LOL

Very nice work!

[Calabek]

That's gonna look so good, until you drive it for the first time. Then it will all look like it did before. LOL

Very nice work!

God I hope not. Bahahahaha I'll have to be out there after every drive with a toothbrush and microfiber towel !

[bscanlan]

I recognize that this is not a USDM Accord, but what is that rear mount? Is it an aftermarket mount of which I am not aware? Me likey!

[Calabek]

I recognize that this is not a USDM Accord, but what is that rear mount? Is it an aftermarket mount of which I am not aware? Me likey!

Custom fabricated in the shop from a few pictures off a US supplier's website !
The supplier wanted $800USD for shipping ! >

[Calabek]

Dual linkage for the Webers is setup and got rid of that ratty filler cap.

[79cord]

Looking special!
Seeing the stripped & buffed engine & transmission almost has me disappointed to see paint on the cam-cover, beautiful.

[Calabek]

Looking special!
Seeing the stripped & buffed engine & transmission almost has me disappointed to see paint on the cam-cover, beautiful.

Thanks ! I thought the same initially too but the cam cover isn't what we're trying to highlight. If we left it bare it would stand out too much. The Webers are the stars of this bay and we really want them to pop.

[Dr_Snooz]

Looking special!
Seeing the stripped & buffed engine & transmission almost has me disappointed to see paint on the cam-cover, beautiful.

Pay no attention to this crazy man. ;-) Your engine looks epic!

[Calabek]

Sorry for the disappearing act. I've actually managed to lose my job... for, ironically, "working too hard". Hahaha. I work in an office adjudicating letters to the public regarding expiation notices and I was employed on a contract basis to help clear a backlog. I was exceeding my KPI by triple and as such, managed to get rid of the backlog and at the same time not get my contract renewed. So for the first time in 10 years I'm jobless which is bad in my city. The unemployment rate is high. So there's been little time for the build. I'm not sure what direction it'll take... but my main focus is getting another job (something that pays more too so I can really back this build special).

The guys doing my build have been off with personal matters too so we've all kinda stopped. But they're back in full steam this week and I'll be heading down tomorrow for some sexy pics.

For now, here's one I got last night from one of the guys.

[Calabek]

I went to the shop today and everything is looking pretty fucking exciting. It was the first time I'd seen the engine in the bay and my jaw dropped for a solid few minutes !!!!









The pedal box and shifter are in too. The shifter needs some adjusting, it's sitting a few cm's forward from where we'd like it to.

[Dr_Snooz]

Sucks about your job. I've found that working too hard at a job causes no end of heartache. Employers always cry about how they want good workers, but in the end, they just want slack-jawed flunkies and yes-men who pretend to work. Good luck finding something better.

Car's looking awesome too, BTW!

[Calabek]

Sucks about your job. I've found that working too hard at a job causes no end of heartache. Employers always cry about how they want good workers, but in the end, they just want slack-jawed flunkies and yes-men who pretend to work. Good luck finding something better.

Car's looking awesome too, BTW!

Haha yeah I understand. I'm just not built that way. I give 120% or go home.
Thanks for the support, doc.

[Shane86]

Sucks about your job. I've found that working too hard at a job causes no end of heartache. Employers always cry about how they want good workers, but in the end, they just want slack-jawed flunkies and yes-men who pretend to work. Good luck finding something better.

Car's looking awesome too, BTW!

this is a fact

[Calabek]

Things are all getting put back in; fuse box, radiator + support, lights, wipers.

Also take note of the brake master cylinder and booster as they have been cleaned !

Catch can has been added too.

I forgot to check out the interior but everything is looking good.

[tof]

Glad THIS thread finally popped to the top. Since I am a relatively new arrival here, this is my first look-see through your build.

First off: Just AMAZING. So cool to see this project come together...TWICE. I have a first gen LX 5-speed hatch that I am working to improve little by little but NOTHING like this. Still, just reading about your build and others like it keeps my old bones inspired to go DO SOMETHING. As you are obviously aware, there are always little things that can benefit from some attention.

Hope your job hunt has been productive. Your work ethic is obvious just browsing through this thread. If you can sell your abilities and that great work ethic I'm pretty sure you can find a great opportunity even in a down economy.

By the way, when the Aerodeck is done, or at least moving under its own power, how about a couple of nice pics in front of the (mighty) Black Stump.

[tof]

BTW, maybe time to move this thread to Project Central? But only if the thread remains intact. Listening, moderators? After all, this Calabek guy really isn't exactly a Newbie any more, now, is he?

[Dr_Snooz]

I think the Project Central costs money.

[Kenord]

So good accord

[Calabek]

Glad THIS thread finally popped to the top. Since I am a relatively new arrival here, this is my first look-see through your build.

First off: Just AMAZING. So cool to see this project come together...TWICE. I have a first gen LX 5-speed hatch that I am working to improve little by little but NOTHING like this. Still, just reading about your build and others like it keeps my old bones inspired to go DO SOMETHING. As you are obviously aware, there are always little things that can benefit from some attention.

Hope your job hunt has been productive. Your work ethic is obvious just browsing through this thread. If you can sell your abilities and that great work ethic I'm pretty sure you can find a great opportunity even in a down economy.

By the way, when the Aerodeck is done, or at least moving under its own power, how about a couple of nice pics in front of the (mighty) Black Stump.

Thanks for your words. I like the Aerodeck because it's unique. There isn't another car like it in Australia. I'm always a man who enjoys being unique.
The car has soul too. I don't know how to explain it, but I know it has a long life left to live. It always wants to go faster and always wants to be running.

So for a racer, him and I pair perfectly. With a hot cash injection for some shiny bits, it'll be one hell of a gnarly car. I'm excited to get the suspension and brakes fitted after I find a job to see what it'll be like around a track. I imagine quick given how much power it'll be turning out for the little weight it's carrying.

As for the job, nothing yet. Countless hours writing cover letters and resumes, and not even a phone call or interview yet. Jobs I thought I'd be perfect for, where I thought I had absolutely nailed the cover letter... rejection. It doesn't bother me though. I've been through worse, and I'm still here. Hopefully I get something high paying so I can really make this build something special.

P.S. "Black Stump"?

BTW, maybe time to move this thread to Project Central? But only if the thread remains intact. Listening, moderators? After all, this Calabek guy really isn't exactly a Newbie any more, now, is he?

I think the Project Central costs money.

I'll leave this one to your discretion, Snooz.

[Calabek]

A few update pictures. Not running yet. Both myself and the guys doing the build have had personal issues arise. I'm not complaining - gives me more time to find a job while the car is still in pieces.



This I had to show - it's a cover/sheath for the engine wiring loom. I saw this an instantly thought of that sexy lingerie your missus wears where you can see through it if you squint really hard, but it keeps some mystery. I really like it (yes, the lingerie and the sheath). It looks sleek and shows just enough colour (if you squint hard enough)



This is a battery holder that's been built as we're relocating the battery into that section under where the washer bottle should go on the opposite side of the washer bottle (if that makes sense).



This bit ^ (My washer bottle is on the passenger side - left side when sitting in the car facing forward - i.e. RHD)
The holder will stay skeletal and be bolted to the chassis section there. There's enough room and with a clamp it will be really secure. Very cool stuff.



Absolutely adore the hatch on these wagons.







Notice how disgusting this last picture is ? "What ? Disgusting ? How?" You ask ?

The JDM fuse box sticker flew off during bay prep. I've spent about 4-5 hours tonight though translating and eyeballing off of the below photo and I'm going to get one reprinted for myself. Not to talk myself up, but it's a perfect replica (without the scratches and fading though). I'm thinking about heading to the wrecker to find an English version to stick on the inside so I have the translation handy haha.

Would any of you guys be interested in a sticker for yourself ? I don't imagine it'll be expensive to post so I'd suggest somewhere around the $25USD mark shipped would suffice. But I can confirm the price when I head down. I don't mind sending just one or two off to help you guys out. Post or PM and I'll get back to you on it.



Anyway. The boys told me it's about 1-2 weeks from go-time, but I'd suggest a bit longer given how busy they and I have been. Peace

[tof]

P.S. "Black Stump"?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenfell_Centre

A.K.A. The MIGHTY Black Stump -Brady Haran/CGP Grey, "Hello Internet" podcast.
Both are popular YouTube content creators. Both live in London but Brady grew up in Adelaide.