Andy from WI

Hello from WI.

I have a 1986 Crx SI, I have owned it since day one. No accidents, 255K miles. I'm thinking that I would like to fully restore it.
The engine runs well, it does need new brakes, shocks/struts.

My big concern is the rust. The unibody has a lot of rust on it. six years ago I did repair holes in the floor with fiberglass (I understand now that I would have been better off welding sheet metal).

Anyway, I would certainly appreciate some feedback as to weather you think the unibody can be strengthened or should the car be parted out.

The car still runs well, drives straight. We have been through a lot together in the past 24 years and I really hate to get rid of my trusty CRX.

Here is a link to pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/bangsberg/crx#

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
-andy

cbstd

I feel the love you have for your car... but there is a time when we have to say "good-bye." Unless you want to make a long term hobby out of welding new metal and can do the work in your garage, there is no economical model that justifies paying someone to fix all of that rust.

Parting it out is like being an organ donor; through the passing of your car, others can live. I highly recommend that you check out www.redpepperracing.com, the best web site for the 1st Gen CRX. There are lots of nice folks who are dieing to get their hands on some spare parts.

Or, book a one way flight out to Southern California and buy a rust-free CRX. You can transfer what ever parts the new car needs from your car.

Good luck,

Scott

derger207

that car is totally salvageable you just need to be willing to put the work in lol
all those spots on the frame you need to cut or sand ALL the rust off so it doesnt come back then shape your sheet metal to fit wherever your gonna put it then just clamp it weld it clean it and throw some undercoating on it so it wont rust again and your good! your interior is in prime condition and the body is in pretty good shape also, i would sugest some new springs though lol
good luck!

bobbieo

I put my post in the wrong place. I'm new to this forum. I have a 1985 CRX Si with 250K miles and NO rust (So. CA). But the frame has cracks. I, too, want to salvage it. But I don't know where to start.

double wishbone

It would be great to see that car restored to its former glory. With enough time and patience, it can be done.

Gabe87CRX

I am sorry to say, but shes is a goner my dood. You can part out that interior and make a nice chunk of change. That carpet alone is worth some nice cash.

Andy from WI

Hello everyone, I certainly appreciate all the replies. Perhaps a better question is, can the frame/Unibody be fixed to make it safe? I would do the work myself, strip it down, and get some help with the welding.

If not, any suggestions on a fair price for the CRX as parts.
It currently does run and is drivable.

Why do we get so attached to these things?

-andy

cbstd

Cracks? These cars do not "crack." They will rust away into a pile of oxide, but they do not crack. What exactly do you mean by crack? Are your plastic fenders cracking? They can be replaced.

OP- The value of your parts is determined by the marketplace.

Yes, it is possible to bring this car back to life. But you are talking about a HUGE job. Do you REALLY want to do that when it is so much easier to source a clean, dry, rust free example for pocket change?

These cars have many wonderful features, but chassis ridigity was never high on the list. Even a pristine example needs fender braces, strut braces and a B pillar brace to be reasonably stiff. If you want to do the job "right" I would consider saving the roof metal and door skins as the basis of a tube framed track monster... but I do not think that is what you have in mind.

Accpetance is the hardest part. Let this poor car rust in peace. You can find happiness again with a fresh start.

bobbieo

This car has NO rust. It's a Santa Barbara car! Yes, the plastic fenders are cracked. You say they can be replaced? Where do I start looking for that? Here is a picture of some of the cracks. I had filament tape on them - looked like custom "racing stripes"!

rexgo

Yeah anything can be fixed - but this one is most likely a goner

cbstd

Aw, that stuff is easy to fix! Go to eBay, the fenders and header panel (the piece between the headlights) are easily available.

Slather some fiberglass on the insides of the new pieces to make them stronger.

Scott

1grex

OP, let me be the first to offer you $50 for the driver headlight ***'y

1grex

Everybody on here wants you to restore it. Do YOU want to restore/pay to have it restored? Only you know.

Andy from WI

I'm going to fix it!

1st job, replacing the timing belt and water-pump.
Finally got the Crankshaft pulley bolt loose after spending three days off and on.

I ended up making a tool out of a 9/16 closed end wrench, a 1/2" bolt (bolted it to the wrench from the inside of the pulley.

Added a pipe to the wrench, used it to hold the pulley in place and loosened the bolt with a breaker bar and a pipe. The whole trick was using the 9/16" closed end wrench and bolting it to the pulley.

Next step, new front rotors and I will take it from there.

Got a better look at the frame. It really is not too bad, just rust where the unibody attaches.

Wish me luck and thanks for the encouragement.

Gabe87CRX

You need to start with the RUST....

That rust is only going to spread and eat everything around it, you have no idea how bad that rust is do you? I hate to be a nay sayer and what not, but the rust is BAD on this car... some of the worst rust I have EVER seen.

94EG8

This, I live in eastern Canada, believe me I know rust, and thats bad. For not that much money you could get a southern rust free shell and start over.

1grex

Yah, reckon I would deal with the frame before doing maintenance lol but hey glad you're giving it a shot. This will be time consuming and expensive but hey again if its your chance to learn/you have the money you can make it almost new again.