Project Steph's 1978 Honda Civic 1200

[Bill]

I don't know what the 2 spoke paint was, all I have seen that was other than the normal color was a graphite grey like color on a few cars.

[Steph]

Well it's summer here, so it's time to get my car in top shape. Today I took it to the paint shop to get all the small bubbles of rust cut out, and the engine bay, windscreen wiper cavity, front apron, filler panel, and the top and underside of the hood painted. Before I took it in, I had to remove all the parts required to paint it.

First I removed the windscreen wipers and motor, where I was surprised to find I had to de-solder two wires, and cut the two green wires to get it out. This also allowed me to pull the wire loom and grommet out. I then removed the bumpers, grill, headlight surround, and the stainless strip across the front of the hood. The nuts and bolts were very corroded up there, so I sprayed them with CRC and let them soak for a bit, but one still broke as I was undoing it. They looked a bit daggy, so I ordered some M4x10 stainless bolts, washer, and nuts to replace them with. I've got all stainless bolts for under the hood and to replace the bolts holding the guards on, so they should really set it off. I also used the grinder to shorten the studs coming off the strut tops, so that way I can replace the nuts with stainless acorn nuts. Anyway, I'll get the car back in 2 weeks and it will be in pristine condition with the engine bay painted, I'll then be ready to fit the new intake assembly, and then the exhaust system. I can't wait!

[Eduardo I. Nieves Davila]

Sounds cool 8) , any pics? Are you doing any mods to it or is it remaining stock?

[Jonathan]

The last two spoke wood wheel I had was a silver finish to the center, I'll see if I still have pictures somewhere. I sold it a few years back, but I might have a photo on another computer.

Two weeks sounds long enough that it should be a pretty good paintjob when it's all done. I treated my Civic to a cheap paint job last year - it took them one day. But you get what you pay for, I'm sure yours will come out looking much better than mine did!

[Steph]

Sounds cool 8) , any pics? Are you doing any mods to it or is it remaining stock?

I'm installing dual Keihin carburetor and the manifold off the 2nd gen Civic S, plus I'm fitting the stainless headers I made, and the final touch will be fitting a new camshaft. That should get it moving a bit quicker. I'm looking at fitting a 5 speed a bit further down the road, like 12 months from now.

[Steph]

The last two spoke wood wheel I had was a silver finish to the center, I'll see if I still have pictures somewhere. I sold it a few years back, but I might have a photo on another computer.

Two weeks sounds long enough that it should be a pretty good paintjob when it's all done. I treated my Civic to a cheap paint job last year - it took them one day. But you get what you pay for, I'm sure yours will come out looking much better than mine did!

Thanks Jonathan.

I made it clear to the painter I wanted all the rusty metal removed and replaced, because last time it was just bogged over, and it lasted about 2 years before blisters started showing again. In the last painter's defence, he did ask me when he was quoting the job whether I wanted it all cut out, and I told him to go with the cheapest option because I expected I wouldn't own the car that long. Now that i plan on keeping it, I don't mind over capitalising my investment, because it's not a money thing, but rather a loving relationship. I did the same with my bike, which I doubt I'll ever sell.

[Steph]

I managed to find an as-new RS camshaft that was for sale in Japan. The guy claims it was in the car for about 1000klms after he purchased the car new in the 70s, before it was replaced with a high lift camshaft. Apparently, on removal, it was soaked in oil and sealed up in a protective film, and stored all these years in a rust-free state. While it may not be the most up to date grind, it's certainly a good quality camshaft which well suits what I'm after, which is a mild camshaft that doesn't have a lumpy idle. Partnered with the dual Keihin intake and my stainless MS-1 type header, I think it will be an ideal combination.

Plus, it's kinda cool to have an original RS camshaft in almost new condition. :D

[amifsud]

Are you able to post a pic of the camshaft when you get it?

[Steph]

Are you able to post a pic of the camshaft when you get it?

No, but I can post one now :P

[Steph]

Got my car back from being painted today, and I'm really happy with the result. I drove straight home, parked it in the garage, and removed the stock intake manifold, carburetor, and fuel pump. So far I've done a trial fit-up, and I found I had to grind about 2mm off the side of the EN4 manifold so it would fit next to the distributor, as it fouled it initially. I have a couple of cable ends/terminators that I bought from a go-kart shop. They actually look like they couldn't slip under any circumstances. I'll post a pic later, as I know Jay had a bad experience with the one he used. These ones have an 'in' one side, and then an 'out' on the other, so the cable feeds in a loop before it gets clamped. Simple, but very effective.

Anyway, I'm determined to get as much done as possible while on holidays, so I'm hoping to tackle the exhaust next. The header and mufflers are already finished, with the rest of the system needing to be built on the car. After that, I'm going to tackle fitting the RS camshaft, which is sitting in customs in Sydney at present. Should see that early next week.

Oh yeah, the air filter actually does fit with the hood closed, but I'm removing the large wing-type nuts for a bit more clearance, and going with some smaller wing nuts instead.