Project Steph's 1978 Honda Civic 1200

[EvoCivic]

Oil temps should never reach 120C, so I'm hoping I don't regret the choice!

You'd be surprised! Without an oil cooler a few flat out laps around a track will see the oil temp well above 120. You won't see those temps on the road but you're building a track car, right?

[Steph]

honestly, the more I do, the more protective I feel about my investment. The thought of caning her around the track sounds fun on paper, and it is a very predictable surface, OK, I was about to say I wouldn't do that, but a Mallala track day would make for some great memories... like it did when I took my bike there once. I was on an adrenalin high for about 2 days after that! I also ached from head to toe the following day.

Oil cooler it is! :P

[Bubbz]

I had similar reservations re my current project civic (early days yet).


Solution was a decision to invest in a 2nd project somewhere down the line for a "Track" 1st Gen civic without any limitations.

That way I can keep my current project as "stock" as possible.

[Steph]

I love the stock look... Slim's pristine, original condition 1200 is my favourite of all. Completely unmolested, which is rare, and somehow it was shielded from the UK weather? Look it up if you haven't seen it here already.

For me, I always wanted to do a show car, like a real show car.

Whenever I went to shows, I always noticed the standout features of the top cars, like polished engine block, being one example...

I've got about 100 hours into it so far, and it's almost there. Fortunately the Honda aluminium is as pure as can be, and the tooling they produced was super-precision machined. I can see where did a couple of repairs, but they were super smooth, and only required a small amount of extra sanding to smooth out. I pretty much exclusively used #400 grit initially, with #120 on a few small spots that proved difficult.

I've made it through to fresh aluminium everywhere now, so it's pretty much just #800 then #1200 from here on. 8)

[Vulcan]

How are you sealing the surface of the aluminium?

[Steph]

Moved on to #1200 grit wet and dry paper tonight. It was like instant gratification, or applying that first coat of paint to a wall with a roller, after you've spent days preparing for that very moment.

I'm going to spend another day or two, and then bolt everything onto the polished block, and take a few photos. The aluminium came up beautifully, with not a single discolouration the entire block. It's entirely back to clean and bright aluminium.

Something I have noticed is when you apply Autosol you can actually see it soaks in like an anodising solution would. It makes the aluminium look like it's a little oil-soaked. I'm certain the formula has improved slightly over the years... not that it wasn't a top performer before, but I can really see it soaking in and protecting the metal by leaving some form of polymer behind, I expect?

I'm getting excited about the Civic again... maybe the Summer I'll finally have it ready to roll out of the garage again. I need another coffee!

Protestant work ethic, is what my Grandfather called it. :D

[Bubbz]

What a labor of love

Would love to see this thing if you manage to get it out... or maybe not since it would probably put me into a jealous rage ahhaha

I'm aiming to have mine stripped/rust treated and repainted by summer

Dont think I have the patience or skills to do what you are doing though ..

Should really have a little Adelaide civic meet sometime - meet up @ hahndorf or somewhere nice for mini cruise and get together.

I know there are a few of us hanging around. I've seen at least 3 or 4 1st Gens buzzing about since I got mine. Still a rare sight though.

[Steph]

What a labor of love

Would love to see this thing if you manage to get it out... or maybe not since it would probably put me into a jealous rage ahhaha

I'm aiming to have mine stripped/rust treated and repainted by summer

Dont think I have the patience or skills to do what you are doing though ..

Should really have a little Adelaide civic meet sometime - meet up @ hahndorf or somewhere nice for mini cruise and get together.

I know there are a few of us hanging around. I've seen at least 3 or 4 1st Gens buzzing about since I got mine. Still a rare sight though.

Super rare from side of town. There was a yellow one about the place 5 years ago, but I haven't seen it since. I know the guy was a local, so it must have gone into the garage for some reason.

I bought a stack of #1500 and #3000 grit wet & dry paper the other day, so now the tedious part begins. You can always tell when it's time to move to the next grade of paper when you don't get any 'traction' from the surface anymore, because it's become so smooth it doesn't possess any imperfections to give that scratching feel to the work. As soon as you move on the next grade will cut in all over again, until the surface becomes too smooth for it to find traction as well. by the time you reach #3000 you're virtually polishing it with sandpaper, provided you've paid your dues!

I can't polish the block using a buff like I would with smaller items, but I've discovered you can get the same finish with #3000 followed by a polish with some Autosol. The test patch I did came up like a mirror! For the record, I'm polishing the entire block, as in, both sides, as well as the front and back, but not inside the bell housing of course. I plan on painting the head with VHT Engine Enamel in their Universal Aluminium colour. That way each polished part becomes broken up, as in, polished-painted-poilshed-painted-etc. I've seen fully polished engine bays and I think a lot tends to just blend in, but throw in some contrast, and suddenly you have an engine bay full of accent-points. The only problem is, I need to paint the adjustable alternator bracket to maintain the effect, which obviously should be plated for durability during belt adjustment. I'm pretty sure I will chrome it, but I'd really like to send function to the back seat on this one.

[Bill]

The contrast is a great point, I have gotten to the point of walking by a sea of chrome unless there is a piece of tech or unique solution to look at. I saw a Toyota a while back with the 3TC in it where all the sharp edges had been worked into flat ridges and they all had been pinstriped with a contrasting color to the underhood paint. Very tastefull and made the compartment look 3D and VERY clean. I want to see the car again when he gets the interior finished, it was very impressive!

[Steph]

I agree, and they always have the engine bay way overlit, so you literally get dazzled by all the reflective surfaces. The same with the ubiquitous mirror under the engine, you end up getting welding flashes trying to look under there!

Subtle, inviting light would be nice, just for a change of pace... maybe "The Girl From Ipanema" playing softly in the background, instead of mind numbing drum and bass.

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