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1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage.

Old 03-27-2008, 05:18 PM
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Default 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage.

I plan to work on this car every Saturday, to restore it.
The owner told me the rotor and cap is out. other than that, everything else is in working condition.

What do you guys think I should do first?
I plan to work on the engine, you know, clean up real good b4 i crank it (after 9 years) What engine parts should i change? or should i just SWAP THE WHOLE ENGINE for a D16? or sumthing like that?

I believe that this car had AC. i would love to daily it....a friend told me to put a CAGE in it for extra safety.

The car comes with 1 side mirror. sucks
Batac_boy's car has both sides!
Should i do Fender mirrors? lol

















Old 03-28-2008, 04:17 AM
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gut the interior to save weight, bedliner the inside after rust proofing it. Flat black the outside. Limo tint. Crate motor. Clean the carbs. Keep same type motor or go to the 1.3 to save fuel. Put a cd player in it and drive it!
Old 03-28-2008, 07:44 AM
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What do you plan on doing with this car? Race it? Restore it? Is is going to be a daily driver?

Replace the timing belt, water pump and fluids, crank it over without the spark plugs to circulate the oil before firing it.

If it were my project, I would gut it, put in a legal roll cage, stick in a B or K series and go racing.

The last thing I would attemp would be to turn that turkey into a daily driver.

Scott
Old 03-28-2008, 09:41 AM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (polything)

After sitting for 9 years, there's a good chance that the oil seals are dried up and that thing's going to leak like crazy if you try to turn it over. Hopefully the rings aren't stuck...

You can prime the oil pump WITHOUT starting the motor. You just have to take off the valve cover, and you'll see a gear right on the middle of the camshaft. That gear has a long shaft going down through the block to the oil pump. What you can do, is take the sprocket off of that oil pump shaft and then use a drill with a flathead screwdriver bit and run the oil pump. Do it after you change the oil to get some fresh oil flowing through those bearings!

I would not use the starter trick to prime the oil pump since you could be running the dry crank on the bearings. At least prime it a bit, then run it with the starter like advised above to get everything oiled up nicely. Let the engine idle for 15 minutes before revving it up and make sure you're getting good oil pressure.

Replace ALL the ignition parts! New distributor is only about $80 for these cars, new cap, rotor, wires, plugs. I'd do the timing belt and replace the engine seals on that side of the engine while you're in there. New valve cover gasket. Go over all of the hoses and make sure nothing is cracked or leaking and FLUSH that old nasty coolant out! If that motor overheats at all you will warp that head and blow the gasket. Clean the carb with some carb cleaner for good measure and replace the fuel filters. Clean the electrical grounds up too!

Looks like a fun little project for sure! Good luck!
Old 03-28-2008, 04:39 PM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (polything)

old skoo!
Old 03-28-2008, 07:20 PM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (polything)

old school restoration
Old 03-30-2008, 07:39 AM
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i was thinking about daily driving it. Why not?

thanks for all the useful tips guys!
Old 03-30-2008, 09:10 PM
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Looks like a good start.

I'd give it a bath first. get it running and use it as a daily.
Old 03-31-2008, 04:35 AM
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Default Re: (cbstd)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cbstd &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If it were my project, I would gut it, put in a legal roll cage, stick in a B or K series and go racing.

Scott</TD></TR></TABLE>

what? next thing you know you'll be saying put four wheel discs on it, too!!!


that thing will leak from every piece of rubber gasket and then some. either pull the motor and rebuild or get a new motor. if you want to drop in ANY swap it will be a figure it out for yourself affair. no one has true "bolt in" parts for these cars.
Old 03-31-2008, 07:46 AM
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wow, looks cool!
Old 03-31-2008, 03:02 PM
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Default Re: (E-AT_me)

First thing I wish i had that. second Seeing how that thing has been sitting for 9 years, its gonna take alot of $ to get that thing to look good, unless you go maaco. not to mention all those seals are probably crap, might as well crack the motor open and replace everything that needs replace and clean it up real good, who knows whats stuck on those valves.

Oh and Joey, you still in Strasburg?
Old 03-31-2008, 03:16 PM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (polything)

when I got mine It only has 1 side mirror....I just went to the junk yard and get the another side and also got me a digital watch for it. try this website http://www.bkhondaparts.com


Old 03-31-2008, 05:59 PM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (polything)

I don't think anyone said it yet amazingly, but change the friggen oil. Everyone is talking about the seals being shot and leaking everywhere, but you won't know for sure until you try. I bet its still good to go. Follow advice about prelubing everything though
Old 04-01-2008, 06:28 AM
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fancy. i ll try to replace most of the seals and such...
just paid 100 bux for tittle and registration :*(
Old 04-01-2008, 11:04 PM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (batac_boy)

hey awesome...where did you find that clock? same website?
Old 04-02-2008, 09:19 PM
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Default Re: (polything)

Just try to start it and see how it goes before you go ripping the whole motor apart!
Old 04-02-2008, 10:29 PM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (polything)

the day I got my car



oh the clock I got on the junk yard
Old 04-04-2008, 08:45 AM
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What kind of mileage are you guys seeing with your 2nd gens?
Old 04-05-2008, 09:47 PM
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Default Re: (RuskeR)





here's my 83 civic 1500DX with some 13" VX. lots of mileage but still runs like a champ.

Old 04-07-2008, 10:00 AM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (batac_boy)

wow its clean!

you have no passenger side mirror!
Old 04-07-2008, 10:45 PM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage. (polything)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by polything &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow its clean!

you have no passenger side mirror!</TD></TR></TABLE>

actually i do...just can't see it.
Old 07-21-2009, 08:27 AM
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Default Re: 1983 Honda Civic Hatchback 1500DX: Purchased and Put in Storage.

Hey I am looking for a hood and a passenger side fender for my 83 civic, any idea where I can find these parts for a reasonable price?
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