1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

Hi there, I am a proud owner of a blue 1983 Honda Civic 5speed Wagovan (with a 1981 motor).
I am slowly fixing it up and could use some pointers, what to watch out for, where to buy hard to find parts, etc.
I am starting out with the motor as things need replacing and will eventually get to interior and paint
and would love to connect with some fellow Wagovan aficionados.

My current problem is my battery light went on right after I had it jumped.
Battery is fine, and just replaced the alternator (lifetime warranty, why not?).
But the STUPID LIGHT is still on.
I had an electrician (biomed and home mechanic) check the usual connections between everything and checked for corrosion.

THEN he noticed that the radiator was leaking, so I can't drive it around the block till I get that fixed... ugh...
At least I wasn't at work when that happened. One is on order from performance radiator.

So upon further research (in the book), I am going to replace the voltage regulator.

I'll try to get some pics soon.

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

Voltage regulator is more than likely your culprit. I have replaced a few of those on 2G Civics.

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

You could safely drive the car around the block a few laps with a leaky radiator. Might be a tad messy but if you do it from a cold start you wouldn't even be at operating temps for a few miles let alone worrying about over heating.

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

Yes it was the stupid voltage regulator... I wish the "lights on" buzzer worked. Then I wouldn't have to have someone jump it and mess it up. Do these old cars even have one?

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

No, they don't! Mine doesn't, at least. Glad you got that fixed though. We want pictures! Hard to find parts are pretty much that, hard to find. Rockauto.com has a lot of stuff though. Otherwise, just watch your local junkyards, eBay, CL, etc.. Welcome to the site by the way!
Doug

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

Nice
Thx dquizten for the info
And double thx crux131 for the video.

TO DO and HAVE DONE list
 

So I am going to start my "TO DO" list. If my lingo looks off, please be patient and kindly tell me. I don't get much practice naming the thingy I am looking at or explaining how the stuff works with this that and the other thing.

In no particular order: TO DO

*Radiator - currently pending
*New Carburetor - what ever one is most recommended... suggestions?
*Rebuild old carburetor (for fun) and compare
*Two front seats... buy or reupholster old ones
*Rear bearings in wheels and struts
*bearings, seals, rings (incomplete list pending research, suggestions?)
Can't decide if I want to do it myself or send it out to someplace like Napa
*headlight reminder buzzer
*replace driver side handle
*Repaint 1. Paint the car door jams in the car (original Honda blue of course)
2. Paint door jams of replacement rear door and passenger door (already bought one)
3. Get a maco paint job after I prep it.
4. Find a way to get my lines back, I think wagons look kinda stupid without them
*muffler
*fuel filters
*rhino line trunk space, tops of the groves only. Cause I HATE carpet.
*rhino line the clutch pedal, unless I get a better suggestion, I keep slipping off it when I least expect it.
*fix dime sized crack in windshield
*I am not quit sure what to do with the "chrome" ribbing around the car, it looks pretty sad

AND Here is the list of things I have already done to it, somewhat in order
*brakes done by previous owner and checked
*starter
*battery cables
*replaced 83 motor & transmission (260k), with and 81 motor & transmission (150k)
*water pump
*front wheel bearings, cv joints, and alignment. Shocks from the 81 transferred (looked newer)
*Tires, Toyo
*radiator flush every year or so
*flushed brake fluid
*Plugs, wires, cap and rotor, air filter (last week)

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

Ditch the stock carb, swap to a Weber 32/36 DGEV kit from Redline and you will wonder why you hadn't done it sooner.

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

Weber carb swap is pretty easy and well worth the money.

When I swapped mine I bought the throttle linkage for a Suzuki samuria( the end where the cable attaches to the carburetor ). I had to remove the cable guide( half round piece the cable follows ). It will accept the stock metal tab on the end of the cable, but the guide is at the incorrect angle. This allowed me to not cut the end off of the stock throttle cable and made the installation look more stock.

I removed the guide with a grinder by carefully cutting it off of the linkage. This isn't a necessary mod but I read where others had problems with the linkage included in the kit.

My E brake is stuck too
 

I totally forgot about my e brake problem.
It started out getting stuck on after it froze outside.
Then after jiggling it some, it doesn't go on now.
Which is better than being stuck on, I just have to be more strategic when I park.

Is there an option for lubricating it? If so how and with what?
OR should I just buy a new one?

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

It is more than likely the swivel/pivot in the back thats causing your issue. My sedan did that, and I cleaned it and lubricated it and the problem was solved.

Pictures
 

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...838aeaf383.jpg


The good side


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...a07af1e8c4.jpg


front


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...4d9561fcf8.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...e35e1b00f5.jpg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...645159caf4.jpg


Trunk


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...53fff4dbf8.jpg

The doors I am going to replace my old ones with

Project Radiator... DONE
 

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...26cdf6a493.jpg


Old Radiator. I am not sure if this is the original.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...3b63fdb0ad.jpg


Motor with new radiator.

Re: 1983 Civic Wagovan 5speed
 

Nice don't see to many of these!