Brand new project. Got a good deal on a '79 wagon Hondamatic. The carper is pretty threadbare, but the seats are in great shape. Has a complete air conditioning system as well in unknown condition.
Previous owner said they couldn't get it over about 35mph. I am thinking either 2nd gear is bad, or there is a timing or carburetor problem. We couldn't get it started before putting it on the trailer. I'll be swapping in a 5-speed I have, does anyone have a spare CVCC manual transmission flywheel they'd like to part with?
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I also got it running today with the help of our crack mechanic Bobby. The reason it wouldn't start was the points were completely burnt up. Someone probably left the ignition. After that it was running well at idle. But, as the previous owner said, it would not get above about 35mph, it was way down one power. The hondamatic would shift between 1st and 2nd, but there was nothing there. The exhaust was making a spitting noise, so he diagnosed it as a clogged muffler. I cut the muffler off, which improved it a little, but it was still very wimpy. Then we disconnected the exhaust pipe after a flex pipe to the engine and it finally behaved like it should. We got it up to about 65mph on the big road near my neighborhood, and it was still pulling. Now I just need a new exhaust system. Everything I checked seems to work, except the right rear window regulator is broken.
I'll take a look at the exhaust manifold when I get a chance. I had initially just cut off the muffler, which did not improve things. Then I unbolted the muffler connection just behind the beam axle and that opened it all up. When I looked at the bent piece leading to the muffler, the inside wall of the tubing had collapsed somehow one of the bends and was blocking about 2/3rds of the pipe. When I get the registration and insurance sorted out, I'll take it to a muffler shop and get a new muffler put on.
I also serviced the oil and ATF, both looked like they had not been changed in a long time. Also changed out the spark plugs, they looked pretty black, perhaps related to the backed up engine. Otherwise the car is running great. I need to check the compression for good measure. It blows a little bit of smoke on start up, so maybe the valve stem seals will need to be changed.
I've also picked up a new timing belt, water pump and radiator hoses. The water pump sounds like its grinding a little bit.
I finally go the exhaust sorted out. A great neighbor of mine welded one up for me from some parts store bits. I got the car inspected, the title transferred and registered today. Also, my trip to pick up a 1979 CVCC shell went well as it yielded a shiny red valve cover for immediate gratification.
I replaced the water pump as predicted. Also pulled the valve cover and timing belt cover to inspect the timing belt. The timing belt is in good shape, though not brand new. Adjusted the valves to .006 and .008 as the handy sticker inside the hood directs. It all went reasonably smoothly, but taking the alternator bracket off to get to the timing belt is a bit of a pain. Changed out the brake fluid and bled everything. Front pads look pretty new, I didn't crack open the drums.
The front seat was leaning to the outside, and I discovered that at some point someone had offset the front seat backwards about 2" to get more leg room. The outside rail had also broken at some point and was welded at the front. The whole thing had sagged down enough to notice. I pulled it apart today to look at it. They kind of butchered up the stock mounting points in the process. I'll have to look at it some more tomorrow. Also on the agenda is a second oil change as the brand new oil is already black. There is a lot of gunk to clean out it appears.
Otherwise the car is running pretty well, though I suspect the valve stem seals are leaking. I get a big puff of white smoke every time I start it up.
Well, I sorted out the seat so it doesn't lean as much. I'll probably revisit the seat eventually, but it is good for now.
I got the wheels balanced as there was quite a shake above about 50mph. Seems to have done away now. Cruised it down the highway at 70mph and it was ok. It really likes to be at 65mph more. The Hondamatic sure makes the engine rev up at highway speeds. All I need is a flywheel and a clutch, and I'll probably put in a 5-speed I have sitting around. I think the rear shocks might need to be replaced as they make quite a racket when hitting rough spots in the road.
I also tried to get it aligned, but the tire place said that the car was too narrow for their alignment machine. They also said their lift was almost too wide to lift the car up! They did helpfully give me a recommendation to a place that could probably do the alignment.
I just picked up a parts car here in town. A total rusted out, rat nest seat, dry rotted tire 1977 3-door 1500 5-speed. Has all the fancy stuff, including a roof console that will probably clean up ok. Rachel (race car teammate and fellow 79 wagon owner) and I split the cost so we could both pull pieces off it and have a spare engine for whoever needs it first. I have dibs on the transmission so I can convert my hondamatic. Hondapartsnow show 10mm flywheel bolts for both the '79 wagon and the 77 5-speed. Seem like all the flywheels pretty much interchange, but I have heard rumours of some of the later cars having larger flywheel bolts. Should the flywheel from the '77 work on the '79 wagon?
I'll post pictures of this fine vehicle later this week.
The floor is rotted from the drivers footwell to the hatch. I pushed the rear hook through the floor jacking it up to put wheels that actually had tires on them. It makes our first parts car look nice by comparison.
