Well I think I started my 2017 right!! Picked up this project yesterday,(towed her from Alabama to Florida) currently doesn't run but cranks and turns over. Its a 1975 Honda CVCC wagon with a 5 speed and I can't wait to dive into it.

Main goals are as follows, get her running, do basic maintenance repairs, new tires, clean her up a bit then daily drive her until she explodes. Then begin with the insanity of a modern engine swap!!!

On to the pics!!

 

Trailer pics of course!! Here's me grinning like a fool not knowing how much money I'm gonna sink into this project!!!

 

Love it. Just in case you were having trouble finding ways to spend way too much on this build:



Saw this at HondaFest in Kent, WA 2015.
Look forward to your build.

 

That looks like a sweet project!

 

Thanks, now I just got to get the wagon started and running. Right now she turns over and sometime sputters like she is almost trying to fire.

Did buy a new battery, cleaned the points on the distributor and the rotor with some sandpaper, still no luck. Will dive into it more on the weekend and see if the the nearly new Weber carb is acting up. Might be a timing issue too!!

 

Got some goodies in the mail!!!

 

Awesome project! That thing is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet

 

There are a couple of manuals at a local used book store. 78ish though iirc.

 

WOW!! Now this is a project!

 

Got some new wheels today, some old school Western Wheels, 13x5.5, 4x120...offset is stancy!


And here they are on my non-starting whip!!!

 

This should be interesting Hope you have fun with this man!

 

After swapping out the sparkplugs for some new NGK ones, she turned over and started idling on her own!! Now comes some carb tuning, it has an upgraded Weber 32/36 carb on it and I think I need some smaller jets and maybe lean out the mixture. I drove her to my driveway and now she sits!

Gonna try to tune it up this weekend once I get some free time.

 

And she's broke again!!! After tuning the Weber carb and trying to lean out the system, she was running great! Tweeked on her some more and then she sputtered out and refused to start and idle. Today I plan on installing my Pertronix electronic ignition system and get rid of the points system. Hopefully that cures my starting problem....

 

Ah, that sucks man, sorry to hear about that.
I was hoping you would have some good luck.
That car has so much potential, I wish I had one.

 

Well I just discovered something strange on my CVCC, apparently I might have 1982 Honda Civic engine instead of original 1975 CVCC one. I took apart my distributor and found out it already had an OEM form of an electronic pickup, it was not a points system.
Turns out the distributor was from a 1982 engine, I just have to verify the engine code on the block to see if it is truly a CVCC or another type of engine.

 

Not much of an update, towed her home and put the wagon inside my 1 car garage from my buddies house with my HRV and a $10 Harbor Frieght tow strap, worked like a charm. Just verified that my 1975 has a 1982 CVCC motor in it and its a much more powerful version than the stock one. Going to buy a new "used" distributor, new cap, rotor and maybe some new plugs and see if she fires up again. Tuning the Weber should be fun!!

 

Well I got distracted and bought another Honda... 1985 Honda VF500F, a sweet V-four bike Tucks right in just nice in my tiny garage, good thing Hondas are tiny!!

 

Just a mini update, awaiting a new distributor and I'm taking off my Weber 32/36 and trying to re-jet it with smaller jets. I think I am fouling my sparkplugs since the jets are too big.

 

Just a very minor update, I decided not to re-jet the carb since I might have found an easier and cheaper way. Just picked up a Mr.Gasket adjustable fuel pressure regulator from 0.5 Psi to 6.5 Psi. Also just got a new distributor from CARiD with new rotor and cap coming soon so hopefully I can get this wagon running again.

 

Installed all new distributor, rotor, cap, sparkplugs, and new adjustable FPR before my fuel filter... started her and she ran so rough. Took her for her a test drive and she bogged out and died 2 blocks from my house.. Didn't want to start again so luckily my neighbors are good people and towed me home.

Engine bay shot with some starting fluid..
FPR and clear rebuildable fuel filter
Rat's nest of wiring..

 

wow nice

 

Thanks, I'm still having issues getting her started and staying running. Carbs are a different beast all together for me...

 

The EM-1 engines are good as I have been driving an '82 Civic automatic every day for nearly eight years and own to other Gen II Civics. If it drives like crap, one of the first things to look at is the vacuum advance. If it's bad, it will never run smoothly and when I had a similar problem, I simply pulled the hose and stuck a bolt in the end with a small hose clamp.

Also be aware that an engine swap in either a Gen I or Gen II Civic to something modern is a daunting task beginning with the mounting process as all that changed after 1983 models that requires major modifications.

Have fun!

 

Thanks for the good luck! Currently this wagon has an EK-1 engine from a 1979-1980 Accord/Prelude and the 5 speed versus the original 4 speed. It's still a CVCC but it's 1.8L compared to the 1.2 or 1.5.
As for the swap, I will have to weld in custom mounts and such so I know it will be quite a hassle. I hope I can complete this project in a year or 2 depending if life allows me to pursue such follies.

 

Cool project. Get it going yet?