Intro to '89 Civic 1.4GL, called Phoebe by previous middle-class owners

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

Hello fellow Autoshiters!

 

Just a quick intro to my 1989 Civic GL with a couple of expertly taken photos in the style of Rembrandt.

 

Had the cars since, I think, April 2018, garage had it till September (I told them to do it "at their leisure"), where it had tons of welding, which was done to an MoT-worthy, but not cosmetic-worthy, standard (not dark patches near arches). Had carbs rebuilt due a stuck float, naturally it doesn't run quite right. New brakes lines, loads of underside rot cleaned off. Bit of a service. It's certainly driveable but not sure how far I should take it given that I'm reasonably sure the timing belt will be celebrating its 30th birthday in December.

 

Genuine 48k miles on the clock from new, starts on the button even when parked up for a month. Suppose it's a "daily" but I barely drive it due to not really needing a car at the moment.  

 

Got test till September so hopefully I won't need to spend anything on it till then. 

 

Not sure what else to say about it, it's a bit shabby but very worthy!

 

Looking forward to perusing the forum and seeing what other shite people have. I just love a rubbish but good car.

 

Dave

 

 

 

 

[bigfella2]

Ghosty will be well pleased with this.

[dollywobbler]

Ghosty isn't the only one. I adore these!

[spartacus]

I like these, more pics please.

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

More pics coming when I have them. Given the limited daylight at the moment I'm struggling but I'll do me best!

[LightBulbFun]

I R disappoint no pictures of xtriples dog 

[Skizzer]

That’s ace. 1989 Hondas are for WINNERS.

 

Welcome aboard.

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

I should point out that everything electrical works. The one-touch driver's side window, the sunroof, the heater fan on all speeds. Apart from the rot these things were built to last.

[Schaefft]

One of of my favorite gen Civics, my brother had 2 CRX and a sedan of this gen, lovely cars, as good as they get for their time really!

 

The size difference between the "compact" i30 and originally same class Civic makes me a little sad...

[Kringle]

The size difference between the "compact" i30 and originally same class Civic makes me a little sad...

I thought that, then I imagined crashing into a crisp packet and I feel a little better.

 

Welcome btw, the phrase "at their leisure" is that a new category for getting work done on the cheap?

 

£££ debit card + avanti avanti

££ cash or leisure

£ cash + leisure

[Ghosty]

Looking good - red and not faded either!

 

Mine's a '91.

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

Ghosty, yours looks in fine condition. Probably one of the last ones, too.

 

I'm afraid mine does have faded panels and many cosmetic issues, it's just that I'm a rubbish photographer.

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

Just a couple of quite snowy pics of the old girl. Tried to get some side shots but the battery died on my phone. Doh!

 

Should have cleared the snow from the front number plate as its barely legible.

 

However I did manage to get some video footage which I'll be sticking on the tube tonight or tomorrow.

 

Dave

[Marm Toastsmith]

I like it.

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

Faults I've found today after not having driven it for 3 weeks:

 

Severely cracked sidewalls on a couple of tyres and all tyres massively under-inflated.

 

Won't idle without choke, even when hot.

 

Starter intermittently stays engaged for a couple of seconds after engine starts.

 

The joys of old motors. Even a trip to the shops is an adventure/

[tooSavvy]

"..The joys of old motors. Even a trip to the motor factor [..again..] is an adventure/ .."

 

EFA

 

Nice car

[sutty2006]

I had one of these briefly before stuffing it into the side of a mk4 Astra about 10 years ago. Quality motors these. Electric windows, central locking, power steering, electric sunroof, electric mirrors, twin choke Weber carbs.... it was ace. Shame it wrote off. I tried to buy another some years ago but the prices have shot through the roof becausejaptax

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

Would love to try one with easier to service carbs / more mainstream carbs. Forgive my ignorance about my own car but I don't think anyone knows how to tune the Keihin carbs.

[tooSavvy]

Would love to try one with easier to service carbs / more mainstream carbs. Forgive my ignorance about my own car but I don't think anyone knows how to tune the Keihin carbs.

Hmmmmm.... ?

 

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?13025-Dual-Carb-Modifications

[sutty2006]

Get some Weber’s for it

[nisfan]

Don't get Webers! The keihin carbs are meant to be good and modified can make the car fly, think if I remember right search for bisimoto

I absolutely adore these, had 4 but it's never worked out, one day I might buy one that isn't fucked/pineappled

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

Hmmmmm.... ?

 

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?13025-Dual-Carb-Modifications

Thanks. I'll check that out but need to fix the idling issue first. I'm sure it's running lean.

[tooSavvy]

.... Our carb expert advises a 'spring chop' ??

 

Many years around S.U. carbs has led me to believe a 'high resistance/thicker/firmer' spring is the way for power - resisting the desire for the needle rise so increasing the inlet depression=pulls more fuel/richer.

 

Filing a flat down the length of the needle/firm spring is 'old skool' SU tuning

 

*interesting opening up of the piston/throttle slide orifice

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/178800/keihin-vb-carburettor-rebuild-honda

[Ghosty]

What's this about carb tuning?

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

Rookie question - how do you set the timing on one of these D14A1 engines? I'm not even sure if it has an ECU somewhere.

[Ghosty]

Cambelt. GLs don't have any sort of electrickery.

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

For anyone that's interested, more pictures, this time displaying crustiness / parking scrapes / faded paint / non-cosmetic welding. Enjoy!

[ANYOLDIRON1984]

Well, had the timing belt done, new tyres and just drove it from Durham to Inverness with no issues, apart from the fact it won't really idle. I have no idea why I undertook this but if the engine weren't too big I'd enter it into the Mongol rally!

[Faker]

I had one of these. Exactly the same. Think it was KDZ3231. Only 5 years old when I got it. Absolutely amazing car.

[paulscavalier]

Mrs cavs accord continues to impress 163,000 miles didn’t cost loads but has been very dependable