To All:

In early 2002, due to my own negligence (and utter stupidity), my "Old Girl" got "sick." Back then, with my working ungodly overtime, I (foolishly) neglected cooling system maintenace on "her" some four (4) years. Enroute home from work, late one evening, rolling along about 70 mph on the freeway, the pin broke in the thermostat. Subsequent result? The engine instantaneously overheated, blowing the head gasket and warping the head, before I even realized what had happened. (The dash temp indicator typically runs behind "real-time" events.) In bumper-to-bumper traffic, breathing down my shirt collar, I was FINALLY able to pull off the highway into a parking area. With steam pouring from underneath the hood, I was almost crying my eyes out! :bawl:

But I PROMISED my "Old Girl" that I'd make it up to her, whatever it took. :yes:

Fortunately, other than a "toasted" head and radiator, I found no other damage when I pulled "her" apart. GOD was very GOOD to me! :yes: :notworthy

In a "horror" story I shall not recapitulate, my local machine shops basically RUINED my original head. Outside of a SB Chevy, they really don't care to work on a "foreign" engine. Mention Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Honda, et al, and their facial expressions instantly transform into a confused, glassy stare. ("Hey Man, we don't work on none of that 'off-brand' crap!") I quickly gave up on their ignorance and incompetence...purchasing all new OEM Honda parts...and rebuilding the engine myself.

(Being a "perfectionist" Engineer, many/most find me a PITA to deal with. But I won't apologize, either...since they just don't meet MY standards! :grumpy:)

ONE exception is the new radiator. I installed a Koyo unit, which features a double-row (twin flue), solid-copper core. Now, my temp gauge pointer never moves above (clock position) "3:30," even in searing, August heat. :thmsup:

(My OEM NipponDenso radiator is a single-row and costs about $300. The Koyo (heavy duty) radiator cost me only $112, delivered to my front door!)

Process and parts involved: "Mic-ing" all the bores, I went back with an OEM "standard" Honda ring set. Using mineral spirits, I made just enough passes with a "dingle berry" (hone) to remove the (light) cylinder glaze.

In the case of (particularly) Chromium piston rings, running against an iron bore, it is best that you hone the cylinders. In many Honda engines, compression "One" and compression "Two" are typically Chromium, with cast iron composition for the oil rings. While "ideal," in a textbook/classroom setting, a 60-degree cylinder "cross-hatch" is not, per se, an imperative. The objective function is to achieve a clean, uniform bore surface to facilitate proper ring seating.

One characteristic I LOVE about Japanese Engineers is that they (wisely) choose to run low-tension rings against a high-nickel content cylinder block. This is one of their "secrets," respective to engine longevity! Result? When I removed the rod nuts, I literally pushed each piston-rod assembly out, using one (1) index finger! There was absolutely NO "ring ridge" at the top of the bores! Using a small piece of 1,000-grit sandpaper, I removed a fine "carbon" ring, at the top of each bore. NOTHING else!

Many of the rings were collapsed/stuck shut, particularly the "oilers." (Aside from my own unintended fiasco, I should add that I bought this car with some 92,000 miles of previous one-ownership.) I used a piece of a piston ring to gently clean out the ring "lands," following with brake cleaner on a Q-tip. Then a final bath in my sink, using a plastic toothbrush and dishwashing soap. While a steel-wool (i.e. "Brillo") pad is okay to clean the CROWN of the piston, do NOT use it to clean around the ring "lands!!!" Doing so may likely ruin the ring land chamfers!!! However, and that said, it is okay to GENTLY use said ("Brillo" or "SOS") pad to clean the bottom of the piston skirt, far below the ring lands.

I didn't touch the crank main bearings, as I've routinely seen Hondas easily go 300,000+ miles, when the oil is changed, within reason. Rod bearings? Federal Mogul came out of it, and I reinstalled new Federal Moguls. Using good, old Plasti-Gauge, performing a "double" test, per rod (cap and rod side), every single test dialed dead-on at .0015 (fifteen ten-thousandths of one inch). Factory rod "spec" is .0008-.0015, with a service limit of .030.

New cylinder head assembly cost me some $1,500, including top-end gaskets. When I ordered it (back in mid-2005), HMC showed only eight (8) units left in their entire inventory system! :jawdrop:

Exhaust manifold was bead-blasted and refinished with porcelain (ceramic) coating. :)

Some $2,000+ and (almost) four (4) years later???

My "Old Girl" was "recommisioned" on August 15th, 2005. Fluid consumption = ZERO! :) And "she" runs like the proverbial $20,000 Swiss watch!!! :thmsup: :yes: :nuts: :hug:

Without further elaboration, I shall post a few photos of "The Project."

that is one clean engine u got!

that is one clean engine u got!

X2 :thmsup:

Clean, clean, clean. :yes: I always liked those late 80's hatch Accords.

That is very awesome! It always gives me joy to see someone who genuinely cares for their vehicle, and you clearly do!

164k on my A20 and still purs. Never really had cooling system issues, even though my radiator, hoses, thermostat housing, and pump are new.

Glad you got it fixed up.

cooling system is such a vital one for the engine. doesn't matter how powerful the engine is, if it doesn't have a good cooling system , the engine looses hp and fail big time. i'm waiting on this place where they sale all aluminum 2 row radiator for the 4cyl 7th gen accord, i was told they will have them in 2,3 weeks. can't wait to get one and replace my stock one .

To All:

I sincerely Thank You all for the compliments! :yes: :notworthy

I remember what a colleague once said to me: "Bob, most anybody, with sufficient income and a decent credit rating, can go out there and buy a new "whatever." But what impresses the Hell out of me is to see an older machine which has been meticulously maintained." Having never given it much thought, his words struck me quite hard, and I have never forgotten them.

"Take good care of your things, and your things will always take good care of you," my Father (and Grandfather) always told me, as a young fellow.

"Good work is it's own reward." I love the sense of pride, the "rush" I get when I stand back to admire, and experience, the results of a job "done well."

Forever worshipping the precision and predictability of Mathematics and high-quality machines, I am always so prone to treat both with great respect and a very high standard of care. It's in my genes. It's the way I am "wired."

("Do not be deceived by the 'elegance' of Mathematics. 'Elegance' is best left to tailors!" {Albert Einstein})

My "Old Girl" now has some 9,000 miles on "her" refurbished engine. Pleasantly distracted by my "Young Girl," I don't drive my "Old Girl" so much now. Two (2) "women" sure can consume a LOT of my time, effort, and money! :lmao:

The Honda "A" and "B" engine families are (IMHO) two (2) of the very best. They are rugged, dependable "Work Horses." Being a very popular "high-perf" swap, the "B" engines probably have more aftermarket equipment available than any other engine family. I should note that the "A" engines are the last generation of "aluminum head-iron block" engines. Beginning in 1990, to the best of my knowledge, and respective to the U.S. market, all Honda engines are now "aluminum head-aluminum block" composition.

As I have noted (lectured?) in previous posts, cooling system condition is of paramount (critical) importance. My neglecting a $6 (six-dollar) part led to a very painful experience, in the way of an engine failure. Please review my thread "Considered Thoughts On Engine Coolants." In doing so, I hope (and pray) that it prevents you all from incurring my own expensive grief. :thmsup: :yes:

Sir Isaac Newton's inviolate laws of (Classical) Physics, as many times as I have tested them...and outright tried to break them, they always punish me, every, single time...without exception! Sir Isaac, HE ALWAYS WINS! :lmao:

EVERYTHING under the hood (and elsewhere) of your "Ride" is all based on SCIENCE. Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering.

Abide by all the rules, and you'll be fine. To do otherwise invites brutally punishing consequences! :yes:

I read your entire story and then was confused when I saw the 4 cylinders (I saw 2002 and assumed you meant your V6 :) )

I can understand what you talk about when you say people don't "live up to expectations." I'm always impressed when I meet highly motivated / passionate / enthusiastic people and it doesn't matter what subject they are motivated in. I find it rare to find people in this world who take a serious amount of pride in what they do. I'm tired of "its just a job" attitudes I find (to include some in the military).

Good job on the rebuild as well. I have a tough time balancing wanting to keep what I have and drooling over the new stuff.

I agree with you when it comes to meticulous maintenance of one's things. People wonder why I'm so anal about things I own. Why do I clean every weekend in the house? Why did I spend 4 hours cleaning my BBQ grill? Why is my truck always clean? etc....

I take pride in my stuff in hopes that it will serve me well over the long haul. This is why when I buy something, take extreme care of it, and it disappointments that I have a hard time forgiving....(my old Acura).

Thanks for the pictures. It was a good read and a good lesson when it comes to us DIY guys.

Stevencrosbie and All:

Maybe it's a "Guy" thing about so many of us MEN being so "anal-retentive" about our "Rides" and everything else? Maybe it's in my genes, my "circuitry?" Maybe it was the way I was raised? Maybe it's because of my formal, academic training, as an ME? Maybe it's because of my work experience? Or some combination, thereof? I'll let you and the rest draw your own conclusions! :dunno: :)

I admire (and envy) the (so-called) "artsy-fartsy" types. They can take an image in their mind, make it flow down their arm to a paintbrush in their hand, to produce it on a blank canvass. Michaelangelo amazes the HELL out of me, that he could paint the entire ceiling of the Sistene Chapel, with such magnificent artwork, lying on his back! But ME? BEST I can ever do is a linear, mechanical "print" or "spec" created in AutoCAD. ALL I know, all I understand, the best I can ever do is....MACHINES. :)

But, just like "art," every "machine" has its own persona, based upon its creator(s). I'd like to believe that I've taken the modest skills/abilities I was given, and used them to my humble best. :yes:

Seems to me that the old concept of "pride in workmanship" has become obsolete. Just get it DONE, get it OUT the door, and get PAID. At a personal level, I find that notion highly offensive. It UPSETS me, a LOT! :furious:

But, retreating to my corner, I have to remind myself that not everybody thinks like I do, and not everyone agrees with my personal philosophy....about WORK....and QUALITY. :nerd:

wardenr,
Nice work Robert! Sometimes I almost wish I had an extra older vehicle to perform that type of work on. Makes you feel good doesn't it? One question - You didn't sleep with that new, virgin cylinder head did you? hahaha RTV55

RTV55:

You make me SMILE, Sir! :D

You're damn skippy about me and that new cylinder head assembly! While I didn't exactly "sleep" with it, I DID guard it like the proverbial gold in Fort Knox until it went on the car! :thmsup: :yes:

As I mentioned in my narrative, HMC showed only eight (8) units left in their entire inventory system, nationwide, when I ordered it in June 2005. (The head was shipped from their California warehouse.) WHY this surprises me is because HMC built and sold some 3.7 million units of the 3rd Gen (1986-1989) Accords. And with so many of these cars still in service, I would expect a slightly-higher inventory holding. I know I am NOT the only Gen Three Accord fanatic on the entire planet! :lmao:

Yeah, I have to admit I really enjoy the (frequent) compliments I receive. When my "Old Girl" is sparkling clean and polished, "she" turns a lot of heads. This reinforces my sense of taking pride in my work, always doing the best I possibly can. :thmsup: :yes:

To All:

The following photos are self-explanatory. However, questions and comments are quite Welcome! :)

wow great car!

i had the same car, actually mine was way older than urs, mine is an 82 accord hatch back, no ac, no power window at all. it got me through my college years. was such a dependable car.

I'm impressed!

I wanted to fix up the body on my 88 Volvo turbo wagon (now sold), but it is just to expensive unless one can do it themselves. She was mechanically sound :(

absolutely beautiful

I love coming to this website. Stories like yours motivate me to want to keep my Accord for a long time. Even as a poor college student, I try my hardest to keep my Honda in good condition. Your story truly inspires me Robert and I hope one day I can say something similar (excluding blowing the engine ;) ). Your car is beautiful btw.

I love coming to this website. Stories like yours motivate me to want to keep my Accord for a long time. Even as a poor college student, I try my hardest to keep my Honda in good condition. Your story truly inspires me Robert and I hope one day I can say something similar (excluding blowing the engine ;) ). Your car is beautiful btw.

I Thank YOU for your compliments! :notworthy :)

While my '02 is a very nice machine, I do NOT have the strong "emotional" attachment and connection with it as is the case with my trusty '86.

I have found my Gen Three Accord to be a high-maintenance car. It IS somewhat difficult to work on, and the parts tend to be rather expensive. However...

I can say, unequivocally, without hesitation, that my '86 has been the BEST car I've ever owned...and likely will ever own...in my entire life. It's a sporty car, a luxurious car, an economical car, and a two-door station wagon, all rolled into one! And when it comes down to the sheer "Fun Factor" of driving, it puts a joy in my heart I cannot explain with mere words! :hug:

My failing health is no longer conducive to "stirring the stick" and operating a clutch pedal. Sadly and reluctantly, I may put it up for sale (on Ebay) sometime next year. And don't hang around. I wouldn't want you to see an "Old Man" cry his eyes out. :bawl:

I miss my 3rd gen too. Amazing cars. My 3rd gen was a LX so it was carbed. I miss mine, but im glad I sold it. I hear the carbed 3rd gens have become hard to keep happy.

Have you ever looked at a RSX with sport shift? From what I understand they are great cars and retain more of the old school honda feel.

I miss my 3rd gen too. Amazing cars. My 3rd gen was a LX so it was carbed. I miss mine, but im glad I sold it. I hear the carbed 3rd gens have become hard to keep happy.

Have you ever looked at a RSX with sport shift? From what I understand they are great cars and retain more of the old school honda feel.

Quite true. The carbureted Gen Three cars ARE problematic to maintain, with carb parts difficult to find or outright discontinued. That's exactly WHY I sought...and bought...an injected car.

(Carburetors are what you should show your kids/grandchildren at the Smithsonian Institute and/or Museum of Natural History. :))

ONLY Acura models I care about are the ancient "NSX" and "RSX" "Type S." :thmsup: :hug:

You should be proud of yourself Warden. Bob you tackled a tremendous challenge and won the battle. Am a big Honda fan here too, Wishing you well. Regards

Richard

You should be proud of yourself Warden. Bob you tackled a tremendous challenge and won the battle. Am a big Honda fan here too, Wishing you well. Regards

Richard

Richard,

I've gone through a few engines, in my time. But NEVER have I put forth the meticulous, painstaking, detailed effort as I did when rebuilding my trusty '86. No mean feat, I accomplished this in the face of declining health.

I created this thread NOT to show off. No. Instead, I hope I've encouraged owners of the old machines to take great care of them, to PRESERVE them. And to encourage everyone to take great PRIDE...in their work!

Great work is its OWN reward! :thmsup: :yes:

Richard,

Great work is its OWN reward! :thmsup: :yes:

You sir are SO RIGHT!

I would be a lot less scared of taking my car to a mechanic if they would think that way. I don't mind paying $85 or more per hour to get work done when I can't do it myself, but it eats me up to drop $500 or more on a repair, only to get the car home and find problem upon problem that didn't exist before they "fixed" it for me.

I've come to the conclusion that no one else will ever give my car the same quality of care that I give it.

You sir are SO RIGHT!

I would be a lot less scared of taking my car to a mechanic if they would think that way. I don't mind paying $85 or more per hour to get work done when I can't do it myself, but it eats me up to drop $500 or more on a repair, only to get the car home and find problem upon problem that didn't exist before they "fixed" it for me.

I've come to the conclusion that no one else will ever give my car the same quality of care that I give it.

TomQuick:

Being the old, snappy-minded, short-tempered "Inga-Neer" and a picky perfectionist, I DESPISE bad work! :mad:

I'm a real PITA to deal with, when it comes to "quality of workmanship." You do BAD work? I'd just as soon KILL you...as look at you! :mad:

I don't give a damn if you ride a Garbage truck...replace defective heart valves...or whatever. The QUALITY of your WORK is your "signature" and your "calling card." It tells ME what kind of person YOU really are. :thmsup: :)

NO one can do anything for you like YOU can do it, for YOURSELF. If I screw it up, I can kick my own A$$. Conversely, if I do it right, I can beam with PRIDE, getting all the plaudits. :yes:

"Do it RIGHT, and do it ONCE." "If it's NOT done RIGHT, IT'S NOT DONE!" "If you don't have time to do it RIGHT, the FIRST time, how in Hell are you going to find time to straighten it out...after you SCREW IT UP?" :rant:

The once highly-respected "Puritan" work ethic has been replaced by the "Profit" ethic. Sadly now, it's ALL about the $$$$...

amen to doing it right the first time. I am in awe of how clean your car is. Sigh, I miss my 89. Same color as yours too (See pic).

I went to change spark plugs on a camry once, last person that replaced the plugs did not do wires, and part of the rubber grommet around where the wire seats into the plug was broken off and stuck. Blah. To save $30 on wires.

Even funnier: I once had a ford ranger, someone plugged the charcoal canister / pcv vent line with a sharpie.

people amaze me.

Ipaudio2:

THAT is one pristine example of a 1989 "LX" Sedan! It is MAGNIFICENT! :thmsup: :yes:

(OR is your car an "LX-i" minus the sunroof? :dunno: I've never seen an "LX-i" SEDAN without a sunroof. Conversely, the "LX-i" Hatchback was NOT available with a sunroof, not in the U.S. market.)

But WHAT is with the five-lug pattern on your rims? Must be plastic wheel covers? I've never seen a Gen Three car equipped with five lugs. :scratch:

thanks for the compliment!

Its a LX (why I sold it). I saw the writing on the wall with the 8 million vac lines, and carb tweaking that it was going to need as it got older. It ran perfect when I sold it though.

My parents drove it off the lot in 1989, and I was in the back seat for that ride! It was a great car for us, all we ever had was preventative maintenance. The biggest issue it had was the shifter was really hard when it was cold one winter. Turned out to be ice on the linkage!

The rims are actually steel 14", with decent looking hubcaps. I had 195 60 14 bf goodrich compta's, with a mild drop kit (neuspeed - forget which one, not the hard riding one), and KYB shocks. It handled and drove like no other car.

Ipaudio2:

You confirmed what I was thinking, that your car is an "LX" model.

Vacuum lines are a nightmare, including the "LX-i" models. Although I've had to replace perhaps one or two lines, long ago I purchased a (Sears) vacuum tester/pump specifically for diagnosing said issues.

My trusty '86 tips the scales at 2,498 pounds. Steering response and suspension action is "World Class," right up there with an Indy or Formula One race car, as in perfectly predictable and lightning quick. Overall build quality and reliability is second to NONE. I think Honda Motor Company would be WISE to reintroduce/reincarnate the Gen Three Accord as the "new" (2010) Civic. I will be the FIRST person, lined up at my dealer, to buy one! :thmsup: :yes:

Robert,

Ever consider put newer Honda rims? Fit's rims will look great on the car...

Just my $0.02

Robert,

Ever consider put newer Honda rims? Fit's rims will look great on the car...

Just my $0.02

Rafael73:

The wheel bolt pattern on my trusty '86 is 100mm, which is also used on 1992-and-up Civic.

Sadly, Michelin no longer offers a 13-inch tire in the U.S. market. But waiting in the wings, I have a set of 14-inch "directional turbine" alloys, used on the 1988-1989 "LX-i" Accord Sedan. And, a new set of Michelin "Harmony" A/S radials. :thmsup: :)

On the Civic I had the rims below. They are 15" and 4X100 wrapped with Nitto Tires NT-555. The will look great on your gold Accord...

On the Civic I had the rims below. They are 15" and 4X100 wrapped with Nitto Tires NT-555. The will look great on your gold Accord...

Rafael73:

Those ARE nice-looking rims! :thmsup: However, I want to stick with the OEM rims used on the Gen Three Accords, specifically the alloys used on the 1986-1989 "LX-i" models. And as stated, I already have a set of 14-inch alloys + new Michelin ("Harmony") tires which I expect to install next Spring. And BTW, my Accord is NOT "gold." It's "Misty Beige Metallic," more commonly referred to as "Pewter." (Dirty Silver?) The Honda paint code is YR-59M. :)

Our family saying is "Any job worth doing, is worth doing RIGHT."

Our family saying is "Any job worth doing, is worth doing RIGHT."

I strongly agree, 110 percent! :thmsup: :yes:

"Do it RIGHT, and do it ONCE!" "If it's NOT done RIGHT, it's NOT DONE!" "If you don't have time to do it right the FIRST time, how in Hell are you going to find time to straighten it out...after you SCREW IT UP?" :dunno: :lmao:

Rafael73:

Those ARE nice-looking rims! :thmsup: However, I want to stick with the OEM rims used on the Gen Three Accords, specifically the alloys used on the 1986-1989 "LX-i" models. And as stated, I already have a set of 14-inch alloys + new Michelin ("Harmony") tires which I expect to install next Spring. And BTW, my Accord is NOT "gold." It's "Misty Beige Metallic," more commonly referred to as "Pewter." (Dirty Silver?) The Honda paint code is YR-59M. :)

Understood. I'm doing the same thing on my AV6. Keep it as original as possible. And my apologies on the color mistake. On the pic looks like gold. :)

I strongly agree, 110 percent! :thmsup: :yes:

"Do it RIGHT, and do it ONCE!" "If it's NOT done RIGHT, it's NOT DONE!" "If you don't have time to do it right the FIRST time, how in Hell are you going to find time to straighten it out...after you SCREW IT UP?" :dunno: :lmao:

not plus 1 but X^n, where n >1 :thmsup:

Nice Accord bro. Very clean; mad props to you.

Nice Accord bro. Very clean; mad props to you.

Thank YOU! :notworthy :)

But would you please clarify the expression, "Mad props to you?" I am totally CLUELESS as to what that means. :dunno: :scratch:

From the Urban Dictionary

"The phrase coined in Legally Blonde: The Musical by the character Margot, originated by Annaleigh Ashford. Fannaleighs like to use the phrase in recognition to her."

It's a compliment, in a young, hip, urban kind of way.

From the Urban Dictionary

"The phrase coined in Legally Blonde: The Musical by the character Margot, originated by Annaleigh Ashford. Fannaleighs like to use the phrase in recognition to her."

It's a compliment, in a young, hip, urban kind of way.

Thank YOU for the clarification, Kind Sir! :notworthy :)

Needless to say, I am seriously "out of sync" when it comes to popular culture! :lmao: