Ok, I just picked up a 95 Civic DX. The motor and trans seem good, the guy said it was a JDM 1.6 motor he swapped over himself. From the outside it looks ok. The interior is pretty good for a 95. Now the engine bay is damn near empty, except what is needed to make the car run. I am handy, very big on DIY, and I guess I was more excited about picking up a second car than really looking at what is wrong with it.
All Around i think it was a mistake. But now, I have it and I have to deal with it.
Let me list whats wrong and hopefully someone out there has some suggestions before I send it to the junkyard.
I picked up this civic for my commute, not to race, not to have it hooked up or anything. My vehicle right now is a 2001 Chevy Tahoe 5.3 liter V8. So fuel economy was my main reason for getting the civic.

The good

-Interior is nice, only the drivers carpet under the floor mat is dirty. Seats and headliner are in really good shape.
-DC Headers and full exhaust
-....umm I think thats about it.

The Bad

-No headlight/Turn signal switch...I ordered it and it's on the way.
-Need wipers
-Hood is dented pretty bad
-The steelie rims are rubbing against the brake shield.

The Ugly
-No Power steering pump or belt.
-no A/C...its completely missing
-Radiator is about the size of a lunchbox
-oh and just about everything is held on with tie straps. why not duct tape??

And so far this is just what I know of. Yeah it was an impulse buy. Good news is I have a friend with the same generation civic who can help me out but he is over an hour away.

Basically I'm looking for direction. What should I do first?

So I am coming to all of you for help and advice.
Thanks everyone
Dan

 

are you sure the rims are rubbing the shield, and not the brake rotor?

 

If u want us to give u a better opinion on wheater junk car r fix it try posting pics n how much u pay for this car?

 

and besides, a DX doesn't come with power steering anyways.

 

Pick something and work on it. No need to ask for opinions. When you're done move on to the next thing. Do this until all issues are fixed. Simple.

 

Did it come with power steering? Most of the DXs just had a manual rack (automatics had PS and you could get it on a 5 speed as an option.)

Did it come with A/C? None had it at the factory, it was a dealer installed option in the form of a kit when the car was purchased new. You can get the necessary parts from any '94 - '95 civic with A/C though.

The rad is supposed to be small, they came with a half rad, they cool fine, even running an Integra engine they still cool just fine.

 

1995 Civic DX

According to Edmunds.com, power steering on the 95 DX was standard.
This is my Fourth honda and I don't remember when they didn't have power steering. I had a 93' Accord EX, '95 Civic 4 door EX, '05 Accord EXL, and now back to a '95 2 door.

And for the Brake Shield, I'm pretty sure that was it. When I took the drivers side wheel off, the brake shield was bent up like crazy in all directions. instead of a smooth contour, it looked like someone tried to bend it to come off. I hammered down the parts that were bent to a point and the noise on that side stopped. I'm going to do the passenger side brake shield tomorrow.

 

 

Well, Got a couple of things Done. rigged up a spectre air filter so I could drive it. Not exactly nice looking but it works. I don't know if you can tell but there is no air filter on the picture above. The whole box is missing. My Headlight / turnsignal switch arrived yesterday, so now I can signal when changing lanes. Woohoo!.
Overall it rides nice EXCEPT... I think I have the following problems
From Common Problems, Recalls and Service Bulletins for '92-'00 Civics

D-Series manual transmissions begin to make a grinding or winding sound.
Bad input shaft bearing. Honda says it's a design issue.

Clunk From Rear Suspension
Broken rear trailing arm bushing(s).
Replace the rear trailing arm bushings.
TSB 00-006

I cleaned out my IACV to help with the up and down revving and it seemed to help with the idling for a day, but now it keeps revving up and down, not high or anything, but it's not idling right. I know I need to replace it. I'm hearing a grinding sound coming from somewhere. I thought it was the brake shields, but when i took the passenger side wheel off, that side was fine. It didn't seem to be rubbing anywhere. So I don't know where its coming from. The grinding sound seems to come from under the car, almost think it's the driveshaft. That could be the input shaft beering I mentioned above but, I have no clue, and won't know until my friend puts it on the lift.
I definitely have some work that needs to be done. I just don't know how much.