OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

[Ludo]

My son and I just completed rebuilding the engine for the 1989 Acura Integra he bought back in Dec. for $200. We reinstalled it in the chassis last Sunday, and now we just need to hook everything back up and get her running.

This project is really putting a dent in my spare time for speaker building, but on the plus side, he'll eventually need speakers for his ride as well :D

Louis

[raiderone]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

On the plus side you got to spend time with your son, which is always worthwhile. And you and your son saved an '89 Acura. Good work, but don't forget about speaker building.

[benchtester]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Niiice! A lot of work, but the father/son experience is priceless.

[Ludo]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Good point guys... haven't spent this much time with him since he was a little kid.

Although, I'm sure he's tired of me telling him to reclean parts after he thinks they're ready for reassembly.

The other plus is he's learning a quite a bit about auto mechanics, which is a very usefull skill to have.

[MSaturn]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Shoulda put a crate 351 in there.

[Ludo]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Shoulda put a crate 351 in there.

Haha... I think the 1.6 liter four with 118HP will be plenty for him, not to mention I'll be able to sleep better. :p

[Chris Roemer]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

My son and I just completed rebuilding the engine for the 1989 Acura Integra he bought back in Dec. for $200. We reinstalled it in the chassis last Sunday, and now we just need to hook everything back up and get her running.

This project is really putting a dent in my spare time for speaker building, but on the plus side, he'll eventually need speakers for his ride as well :D

Louis

Exciting!

Rings/valve job, or more?

Mileage?

[Ludo]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Exciting!

Rings/valve job, or more?

Mileage?

Bored +0.5mm, new pistons, pins, rings, main/crank bearings, block was decked, new valve guides, valves, valve seats reground, resurfaced head, all new seals, new clutch, timing belt, water pump, etc.

The motor had only 150k miles on it, but it was poorly maintained, with very low compression on two cylinders and pretty badly worn valves. Also, the cylinders were coated with black oil when we first got it so I suspect there may have been and issue with the head gasket. The crank and camshafts were still in good shape, with tolerances well under the factory wear limits so not much work needed there.

Keeping my fingers crossed we didn't miss anything.

[foxfire3]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Shoulda put a crate 351 in there.

351 Ford crate engine?? Are you kidding?:eek:
LS7 if you want to get somewhere FAST!

[Dirttracker73]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

I like Honda/ Acura stuff. Efficient, strong, light weight and bulletproof. I had a ZC in my '93 Civic. An excellent engine, 129hp and 40+ mpg. Unfortunately, the car rusted out. A buddy of mine bought it from me and still has the engine. I have half a mind to buy it back and find another civic to put it in.

[PWR RYD]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Do you have a parts washer or did you make him go old school with a tooth brush and a coffee can of solvent? :p

[Ludo]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

I like Honda/ Acura stuff. Efficient, strong, light weight and bulletproof. I had a ZC in my '93 Civic. An excellent engine, 129hp and 40+ mpg. Unfortunately, the car rusted out. A buddy of mine bought it from me and still has the engine. I have half a mind to buy it back and find another civic to put it in.

Yeah, the quality of the parts seems well above average. Most of the hoses and other rubber parts were still in good shape after 22 years, but we replaced them anyway.

This one doesn't have much rust as its been enjoying the mild CA weather all of its life.

It stopped running for the previous owner and he didn't have the time to figure out why. We had it towed to our place, and then spent a couple of hours going through all the basic things like ignition, fuel delivery, compression, etc. We figured out that the fuel pressure regulator was stuck in the open position, fixed that, and drove it around a while before tearing into it.

[Ludo]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Do you have a parts washer or did you make him go old school with a tooth brush and a coffee can of solvent? :p

Definately old school; assortment of brushes, lots of shop rags, solvent, and elbow grease :p

Everything was caked in 22 years of baked on oil and dirt, but now it is spottless. We even scrubbed the entire engine compartment, pulling off every component as we cleaned.

Had him repaint the valve cover so the engine looks almost new.

[jim85iroc]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Reminds me of some of my other projects. I've got a half assembled 402 LS stroker motor taking up half of my garage. It's been an amazingly slow build... I bought the motor in October of 09, finally got the block back from the machine shop sometime in May or June of last year, and by November I finally had the new crank blueprinted and installed in the block. The pistons are still sitting on my workbench. :(

Once it warms up I hope to get back to it and at least get the motor build done so it can sit wrapped up on the engine stand while I save my money for a transmission & rear end. :rolleyes:

[Ludo]

Re: OT: My non-speaker DIY project.... for now.

Reminds me of some of my other projects. I've got a half assembled 402 LS stroker motor taking up half of my garage. It's been an amazingly slow build... I bought the motor in October of 09, finally got the block back from the machine shop sometime in May or June of last year, and by November I finally had the new crank blueprinted and installed in the block. The pistons are still sitting on my workbench. :(

Once it warms up I hope to get back to it and at least get the motor build done so it can sit wrapped up on the engine stand while I save my money for a transmission & rear end. :rolleyes:

Sounds like fun; some serious horsepower there!

It can be a real challenge to get these projects done; my son gets inspired for a few days and we work on it every night, but then he'll be off with his friends or on the computer for a week playing games and progress grinds to a halt.

Just need to finish before he leaves for college in the fall.