89 Concerto - A work in progress

[Concerto_Polson]

I got (not bought) my first car in April 2010.

1989 Honda Concerto, manual, nothing special really, hell of a lot of kms on it, needed a bit of work.

Standard Aussie engine, D16Z2, at the time the ONLY Concerto I had ever seen in Tasmania. (Since I got it I've noticed a few more)

Anyway, I've done little bits and pieces to it, and once I can afford it plan to fix it up as best as I can, get her back to almost original condition.

[Concerto_Polson]

Here are some photos;

The car just before I got it, paint wear, bad CV joints, cracked radiator, home-made head gasket and a motor with 355,000kms (but still going strong):
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Honda_3.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Honda_2.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Honda.jpg

Then my Dad's girlfriend (a Commodore driver who never learnt to drive a manual properly), drove it work, was speeding (over 110km/h) in 4th gear, and the motor started overheating, and she kept driving.

I don't have pics, but the end result was a cracked cylinder block, along with a blown head gasket, and a MELTED timing cover...

But it kept going until it could go no more...

My Dad (who lives at the top end of Tassie), rang me and broke the news, he'd already offered me the car...

We had two choices, throw it and look for another car, or get another engine...

Turns out Dad knew of another Concerto, sitting in the wrecking yard with a smashed front end, but a perfectly fine (and youngish - 180,000km) engine, ours for only $750...

So I decided on the engine change, here are some pics:

Old engine about to come out
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/0627101319-00.jpg

And out
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/0627101323-00.jpg

Me and my Dad with the engine
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/0627101323-01.jpg

Empty engine bay
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/0627101324-01.jpg

New motor??
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/0627101325-01.jpg

And the motor in and car running
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/DSCF7266.jpg

[Concerto_Polson]

So while the engine was out the CV's were replaced, and the intake manifolds swapped (auto and manuals have differences)

rocker cover was swapped too, as the old one didn't seal too great.

Dad was pretty impressed with the condition of the cam and rockers
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Photo014-1.jpg

So after all this, the car was mine, here are some trips before the long trip to Hobart from Burnie
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/1016101326-01.jpg

Ah L plates, so glad to be rid of them...
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/1016101327-00.jpg

That's my dad's girlfriends Commodore in the background...
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/1016101326-00.jpg

After it was in Hobart, I had to make a few improvements... Firstly a radio that worked...
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/DSCF7259.jpg

And I replaced the old Concerto lettering
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20110914_120805.jpg

with nice new chrome ones
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20110914_124509.jpg

[Concerto_Polson]

After that it was left for a while, being used as a car for me to get my hours for my L's up, then the rear muffler rusted through, $225 later a brand new one was fitted... Along with exhaust tips because I hated the look of the standard metal
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20110813_163312.jpg

Me and the car on Mount Wellington
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/DSCF7561.jpg

And finally, in September 2011, I went for my P's, in my faithful Concerto...

And I passed first go, thankfully. Then, only a few weeks later, a wallaby appeared out of no-where...
I had to remove the bumper to inspect for damage, plus it was half ripped off by the wallaby...

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20111123_103836.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20111123_103846.jpg

The only damage was my drivers side indicator, thankfully I got a replacement from fellow OzHonda member Grifty, from this (temporary)
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20111125_124140.jpg
to this
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20111219_150419.jpg

And after that, I decided I wanted Type R status...
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20111128_190051.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20111201_211309.jpg

[Concerto_Polson]

In December, my car broke down... Turned out to be the dizzy, not entirely sure what in it, but the one from the car in the wreckers at Burnie arrived ($160) and went on, and she started first go :)

In the new year, I carbon-fibered my dash/cluster
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20120125_154821.jpg

and got a nice sticker for the back window
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20111130_201257.jpg

Then this month the bog in the front passenger guard started falling out, back to bare metal, so it was time for some real repairs...
Cleaned and rebogged (can't get it straight)
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120301_123211.jpg

About to be primed
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120302_133550.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120302_134416.jpg

And now I've decided to redo the paint, get the clear coat back, but first it all has to go to bare metal and back...

Oh and during the repairs on the guard (which a mate done), the rocker cover was improved... The black paint was pretty much non existent, so I decided to repaint it red...

Prepped for painting
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Rocker%20Cover/IMG_20111110_202810.jpg

Masking tape painstakingly applied over the lettering...
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Rocker%20Cover/IMG_20111110_202903.jpg

Paint
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Rocker%20Cover/IMG_20111110_203620.jpg

Finished
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Rocker%20Cover/IMG_20111110_230627.jpg

In the car
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Rocker%20Cover/IMG_20111112_110611.jpg

[grifty]

Looking good, keep it up! shame about the motor, $750 for the motor is way too much tbh, but then again there probably arent much of these down in TAS so i guess everything is overpirced.


Not a fan of the red badges, but hey its your car you can do what you like :)


All u need now is some low and rims :p

[Bludger]

everything is win, except for the hooning sticker.

[EKVTIR-T]

Good job so far mate,liking the fact youre getting in there and doing some of the work.

The hooning sticker is amusingly ironic being on a Concerto too ;)

Take it easy out there on the road and use your head :thumbsup:

[Emnesty]

Keep an eye out for rust around the rear window surrounds especially around the edges towards the bootlid.

Other than that .. Very clean and keep up the DIY coming!

Oh another thing.. Protect your wooden type finish interior clock garnishes/trims as they are prone to melt easily if exposed to direct sun heat..

:)

[bboyzell]

A Good Write up you got here.

Reminds me when i had my first ED Civic. :)

Keep it up and keep enjoying it

[Concerto_Polson]

$750 if cheap for a motor down here... A 5s-FE motor (stock) for my Mum's '93 Camry would be $1,000+ and that is as is, pulled out of a car that has done at least 250,000km...

I'm just glad we found a motor.
I liked the red badges at first, but I reckon I might put the stock ones back one soon.
Rims and lowering comes later, paintwork is my main concern for now, and I don't make a lot of money. But it will happen eventually.

I'm not in full agreement with the exact statement on the hooning sticker, but I think there should be a place for people to go with their cars and have a bit of a hoon, that way it might keep them off public streets... I have a mate with plenty of land, and every now and again go out there and just hoon around in the dirt, its great fun.

On the road I try and stay fairly sensible...

DIY is the way I'd rather do it, lets me learn new stuff, and means its more "my car", if that makes sense. It also cuts costs.

Thanks for the warning about the rust and fake wood Emnesty, I haven't seen any signs of rust except for one little spot on the wheel arch and the hinges for the boot. never had any trouble with the fake wood though, and its never been garaged in the 9 years my family has had it, but I'll keep an eye on that too.

[Concerto_Polson]

And a small thing I forgot to add;

When I first got the car I also replaced the rear tailgate gas struts, they were stuffed, and the only way to hold the boot up was with a piece of wood.

The steering wheel was also replaced (with a stock one), as the one in it had a big flat area, as though it had been sanded or something, I dunno.

[grifty]

Also watch out for rust in the corners of the front windshield, i would recommend pulling the side trims off and cleaning all the dirt/mud at the top of the windshield and maybe add some form of rust protection there. I would do it ASAP as well. These cars tend to rust there.

[Emnesty]

Also watch out for rust in the corners of the front windshield, i would recommend pulling the side trims off and cleaning all the dirt/mud at the top of the windshield and maybe add some form of rust protection there. I would do it ASAP as well. These cars tend to rust there.

X2 to this..

This is common so do wat the man says..

Also look around your wheel arches they are common to rust aswell on the lip.. So if u ever get em rolled, fix it prior..

The driver side and RR passenger central locking master & slave motor/actuator are common to fail aswell.

Btw once u start modding like simple bolt ons zorst, intake..

Dont be afraid to own them Pulsar SSS easy win on 'private track/roads'

I knw coz i witnessed a black custom concerto once owning that pulsar..in their D16z2 Lol.

Lol..

[grifty]

That black Concerto Had a B16 (maybe not when u saw it?) :P

And is also a member here (if its the same car im thinking about).

[Concerto_Polson]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'll be sure to check it out when its not raining outside and when I have the time.

My central locking all works fine so far, unless the front passenger is meant to unlock the whole car? Always wondered if mine was broken or they were made like it...

What about the electric window motors? Both my passenger side ones sound quite sick, but they are still working (touch wood)...

Does anyone know where to get a proper workshop manual for these things?? I've downloaded a few PDFs off the web, but most of them are incomplete.

[Concerto_Polson]

So I was driving down the highway a while ago, and did a double take when I saw this car coming behind me, and then it pulled up next to me and we drove along the highway side by side, at 80km/h, for over 10km. It was pretty awesome, and I made my friend take a few photos. Unfortunately a magna in front of me slowed me down :(

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/IMG_0018.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/IMG_0019.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/IMG_0020.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/IMG_0021.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/IMG_0022.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/IMG_0023.jpg

[Emnesty]

That black Concerto Had a B16 (maybe not when u saw it?) :P

And is also a member here (if its the same car im thinking about).

Grifty,

Is the custom black concerto with the bodykit? If so then same car.

Yeh at the time he still had the d16z2 with full exhaust, oem headers, ac autotechnic .. Then he upgraded to a diy b16a swap and the thing even ripped more..

The car only weighs 1050 from memory,

Was gunna buy the car lol.. But went diff path.

Yeh i think hes on OH. Dunno his SN.

[Concerto_Polson]

The car only weighs 1050 from memory


A stock Concerto is 1,100kg (I had mine weighed the other day), so 1,050 isn't much of a saving...

[grifty]

1100 is abit odd, mine weighed in at 1120.

[Bludger]

1100 is abit odd, mine weighed in at 1120.
yours is an awd.

more luxurious equipment.

[Concerto_Polson]

1100 is abit odd, mine weighed in at 1120.

your standard Concerto or the 4WD?

The 1100 was with a fuel tank sitting on "E" :mad: (hate having it like that), and nothing in the car.

[grifty]

yeah my 4wd one with about half a tank of fuel.

[Concerto_Polson]

yeah my 4wd one with about half a tank of fuel.

That's probably the difference then :)

[grifty]

But i though my car would be heavier with the longer body & the 4WD system.

[UNLS1]

great write up, i have a soft spot for this car as i learnt how to drive in one, it was my mums and i drove it for a year, had the factory 16" alloy wheel option and door visors.
loved that car!

p.s take the type R badges and hooning sticker off, looks ghey!

[Concerto_Polson]

Geez, 16" wheels, never knew they had those as an option. By door visors you mean weathershields right?

I'm gonna take the type r badges off when I can be bothered, but I'm leaving the hooning sticker for a while, I like it.

How much longer is the sedan to the hatch grifty? Make much of a difference to driving them?

[grifty]

The wheel base is the same, it about an extra 20-30 cms longer. As for the way it drives i cant really compare since my old concerto was running stock shocks and springs compared to coilovers in this one. Im sure it would handle the same if not simillar as the whole suspension is the same except for the rear trailing arms.

[Concerto_Polson]

Haven't done much at all, most of my pay goes towards fuel (I use a tank every week and a half), I have done a little work on the front guard. I've pretty much decided I'm slowly gonna get the bad areas repainted, by myself/mates. I'm gonna do the whole front guard above the black molding, hope the replacement color I have is the same as the car, it was mixed to match the R-69 paint code... Hopefully next week when I'm back at school I can reprime the entire guard above the mold, then paint it and then clear coat it. I've finally bought the clear coat, so it should be fixed fairly soon. Here are some progress pics:

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120410_163725.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120410_163743.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120410_163756.jpg

Also needs a little bog to fill in a couple of small dents.

[grifty]

Did u take a colour part of your car with you to get the paint mixed? That would be the best way to get the closest matching colour.

[Concerto_Polson]

Did u take a colour part of your car with you to get the paint mixed? That would be the best way to get the closest matching colour.

The car was outside the place I got it mixed at. I sprayed a bit of the mixed stuff in a non obvious place (on the underside of the hood) and it seems to be pretty much identical.

[grifty]

Sounds like you have everything under control :thumbsup: i would never attempt to DIY paint myself since i dont have the tools, space, time and patience lol

[Concerto_Polson]

Sounds like you have everything under control :thumbsup: i would never attempt to DIY paint myself since i dont have the tools, space, time and patience lol

I'm lucky with my school, its got great automotive and bodywork facilities which I'm pretty much free to use. I don't have any tools or anything myself, which is why it is all happening at school.

Time may be a slight issue, which is why I'm only going to be doing it in little bits and pieces.

[Concerto_Polson]

Grr... Been having a problem lately, my battery warning light keeps randomly coming on. And I mean randomly. It'll stay off for a month or two, then be on and off for a few days, then no sign of it again for a while. I had the battery tested, and it's fine (lasting well for a battery thats been in the car for over 7 years!!). I also asked an alternator repair shop, who said they wouldn't know what the problem is, but rebuilding it would fix it. At a cost of $370.

One person has suggested it may be the bushes on the way out? I can replace them, for around $70...

By revving the engine above 4,000rpm and holding it there for a few seconds, the battery light will turn off.

Any suggestions?

[grifty]

i guess it would be the alternator, ed civics should be the same. if you can find one at the wreckers or even on here that would be alot cheaper (pm jdm_b16a, he might have a spare), just double check the pulleys use the same belt.

Shame i forgot to take it off my spare parts car before i scrapped it.

[markismaximus]

I have a spare ED civic alternator. Pm me if are interested.

[Concerto_Polson]

i guess it would be the alternator, ed civics should be the same. if you can find one at the wreckers or even on here that would be alot cheaper (pm jdm_b16a, he might have a spare), just double check the pulleys use the same belt.

Shame i forgot to take it off my spare parts car before i scrapped it.

Thought it would be the alternator. It is the original one, and has done over 380,000km, and already been repaired/rebuilt at least once in its life.


I have a spare ED civic alternator. Pm me if are interested.

Could you chuck up a picture of the front so I can compare the pulleys?

[trism]

All of the ed civic/crx with d15 and d16 and the da9 teg with d16 have a 3 rib belt.

From eg onwards, they have a 4 rib pulley

[markismaximus]

As trism mentioned its a 3 rib belt. I'll take a pic when I unpack the box its in

[Concerto_Polson]

I'm now certain it is the alt, it has started whining, car almost sounds supercharged.

[Concerto_Polson]

All of the ed civic/crx with d15 and d16 and the da9 teg with d16 have a 3 rib belt.

From eg onwards, they have a 4 rib pulley


As trism mentioned its a 3 rib belt. I'll take a pic when I unpack the box its in

Just had a look, in the dark, 3 ribb is whats on mine. If by 3 rib you mean 3 high points, two grooves. Kinda like this ^^^ shape?

[markismaximus]

yep that is correct

[Concerto_Polson]

Cheers. Sending PM now.

[Atjo]

Should've taken out all the stickers and the concerto badge to make it look much cleaner.

[Concerto_Polson]

Should've taken out all the stickers and the concerto badge to make it look much cleaner.

I was thinking about taking off the Honda sticker on the boot, but decided against it. I just think it looks better there. And I did have it for a bit without the Concerto lettering, about 2-3 days, and hated it. I think the chrome lettering breaks up the red of the brake lights, and fake brake light thing.

[Concerto_Polson]

Me and my mate (in photos, and done most of the work), finally added red and clear to my guard today. Looks brilliant.
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120410_163756.jpg
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_115809.jpg
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_120801.jpg
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_134616.jpg
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_134631.jpg
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_135915.jpg
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_135933.jpg
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_145429.jpg
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_145435.jpg

And the teaser, got the guard on but didnt take photos as I had to rush off to work
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120419_153616.jpg

Will take some tomorrow monrning guys

[markismaximus]

Doesnt look bad from the pic. Now the only prob is the new paint is going to stick out from the old. Might need to detail the car to bring the rest up to scratch

[Concerto_Polson]

And here is the new guard on the car :) very very impressed with it, once I do the bonnet, other guard, roof, boot and doors (above the black trim) it should all look good.

The clear still needs to be sanded with high grit wet and dry (about 1200 or more) but its better to wait a few days to ensure it is fully dry first.
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120420_102126.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120420_102136.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120420_102148.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120420_102156.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120420_102207.jpg

For anyone who is wondering, colour is R-69, or Crimson Red.

[egSi]

boss project man, my mate used to have one as a daily. rocked it heaps lol.

if i was you, id forget that go fast rubbish and build it like this old lude:

http://cdn.stanceworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Honda-Prelude-BBS-RS-title.png

clean styling, nice wheels and nice height. OG cruiser all the way :thumbsup:

[Concerto_Polson]

boss project man, my mate used to have one as a daily. rocked it heaps lol.

if i was you, id forget that go fast rubbish and build it like this old lude:

http://cdn.stanceworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Honda-Prelude-BBS-RS-title.png

clean styling, nice wheels and nice height. OG cruiser all the way :thumbsup:

Yeah, its goes fast enough for me already (I can get 0-80km in about 8-9secs, 7 if I get it off the line good. I don't need it to go any faster than 120-130km as top speed. I know it'll do 180km/h though (I haven't gone that fast, that was my Dad, he used to be a rally driver).

I've been thinking about what I want to do, and pretty plans are just fix up the paint, replace pretty much all the suspension (380,000km on Tassie roads doesn't do much good for the suspension), possibly lower it just a little bit, maybe a new exhaust with headers, but not until that rear muffler starts rusting or the cops complain about the middle section of pipe, and the noise it makes.

New rims are a possibility, as long as I could decent 14", or possibly go 15" or 16" as long as I could get the right profile tyres to prevent my speedo being out or anything.

And I reckon sometime down the track the gearbox is gonna need an overhaul, I think the syncro is going on a few gears.

I hate the fact that Honda gave these things a final drive of 4.25, means it revs at 2,500 at 80km/h, and almost 3,500rpm at 110km/h. Whereas my Falcon ute, bought to keep me on the raod when I start replacing suspension parts or painting the bonnet or boot or doors, and can't drive, has a final drive or 2.77, meaning in top gear (3rd, its a 3sp column manual) at 80km/h, it only does 1,800rpm, and about 2,100rpm at 110km/h.

[Concerto_Polson]

Took the red badges off the other day, and the old ones back on :)

Paying for another alternator tomorrow, meaning the car will be back to its reliability again when it arrives.

Then intentions are to fix the f**king paint, I'm sick of having to look at it like it is. Undoubtly car will be off the road for some of the painting process (I can't exactly go driving around with no bonnet, or no tailgate, or minus a door or guard, so beginning of this year I bought myself another car, not a Honda as I couldn't find any decent ones down here for under $1,000. I did see another Concerto for $1,300, but it needed a new windscreen, and had over half a million kms on it (558,000 from memory). Still fully original. But it was an auto.
I hate autos, I'd much rather drive a manual and be able to chose my own gears. The few times I've driven an auto, I've looked for the clutch pedal, and I constantly get fed up with auto gearboxes not choosing gears very well, and searching. So I picked up a Falcon ute, for only $600 and here are my two cars side by side.

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/89%20XF%20Falcon%20Ute/IMG_20120122_180918.jpg
Both are from March 1989, by strange coincidence.

And the Falcon is part Honda, Honda helped Ford to develop the "Alloy Head", which is the unleaded type head used on Falcon sixes to this day.

[Concerto_Polson]

My new alternator is now on the way, good thing too because today my battery went so flat whilst I was on the way home from school that I couldn't use my brakes or the brake lights would cause the car to stall, and I also couldn't indicate. Had to happen whilst I was driving through peak hour traffic...

Plus I nearly overheated the car, it turns out that the priority system in the car which shuts down electrics when the battery is going flat (starting with radio, etc etc), shuts down the cooling fans very early on... Meaning the car was getting quite warm, but the battery couldn't even power the fuel or temperature gauge...

Hopefully the new alternator arrives nice and soon next week, then I can put it on and get back to fixing the paint (slowly.)

[Concerto_Polson]

Polished my guard up today, it all looks good now :) Next is the other guard, then the bonnet.

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120501_084742.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120501_084750.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120501_095350.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/Repainting/IMG_20120501_095357.jpg

[Concerto_Polson]

So I got the new alternator today...
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20120501_152548.jpg

Spot the difference... (and the problem)
http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/Polson888/1989%20Honda%20Concerto/IMG_20120501_154353.jpg

[markismaximus]

guard looks good.

the plug attachment is different... can that part be swapped over?

worst case you will need to change the concerto plug on the harness to the ED civic plug. Pretty sure I have the plug should you need it

[Concerto_Polson]

guard looks good.

the plug attachment is different... can that part be swapped over?

worst case you will need to change the concerto plug on the harness to the ED civic plug. Pretty sure I have the plug should you need it

Thanks, hopefully the whole car will be that good eventually.

Yeah, the plug can be swapped over, I'll do it today at school. I cannot understand why Honda made the plug different, the Concerto one only has three wires going to the plug anyway, so why give it four contacts?

[bboyzell]

Was was the new alternator from?

I got a ED9 CRX thats obd0 and if i remember correctly different obd's has different power connectors for the alternators.
So im guessing that 4 pin Alternator is from a obd1 car

[markismaximus]

both alts were obd0. one from concerto, other from ED civic

[Concerto_Polson]

The four pin alternator is the one from the Concerto, the 3 pin is from the ED Civic.

According to my workshop manual, the carb Concerto's had a three pin one. Why the PGM-FI ones have a four pin is beyond me, the fourth pin doesn't even have a wire??

[Concerto_Polson]

Help?

I got the new alt wired in, but now the car is going through a 10A fuse every time I start?

Its the No.14 fuse blowing, labelled Alternator Solenoid Valve. I don't even know what an alternator solenoid valve does...

[Concerto_Polson]

Still no working alternator...... >:(

on the bright side, I have found for sale an entire, working, Concerto engine for only $250!! (wish it had of been around when I actually needed one).
Gonna buy it just a spare, not passing it up for that price.

[Concerto_Polson]

Finally fixed my alternator problems, got a Concerto one for $50, and checked out the engine I'm going to be getting. Bit tired, and looks like it has an oil leak somewhere, but starts and runs with no apparent problems. Soon as tax time rolls around and I register my ute, I'll be going and picking it up.

[Concerto_Polson]

So not much has happened... at all.
The bloke I was going to be getting the engine off has vanished of the face of the earth, so there goes that.
Haven't had the time or money to do any of the paint on the other panels.

Only got around 10,000km until it's due for a 100,000km (in this case 400,000km) service. I plan to pull the car off the road for as long as necessary to make sure I do this service decently, I'm planning a new water pump, timing belt, new sump gasket, possibly extractors seeing as the current manifold id getting full of holes... New O2 sensor, possibly a new rear main seal, all the filters, standard service things, check the valve clearances. As well as a front suspension rebuild, gotta buy one of these pretty soon
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/330439246640?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Anything else I should do whilst I have the car off the road, or that should be done in a 100,000km service?

[grifty]

With that kit you will need to reuse ur original lower ball joint bolt, reuse your camber arm support plates, and the LHS tie rod has a grease nipple so you will need a grease gun. The sway bar bushes are Abit tight so you might have to trim Abit of it. Other than that it all fits ok. I recommend you replace your rack boots while your at it. Also there's a lock nut washer on the rack end, you can reuse yours but I would recommend new ones, they aren't expensive from Honda.

If you have any other questions just let me know.

If you have access to a press then you should change out your front lca bushes as well.

[Concerto_Polson]

Wouldn't have even thought of the rack boots...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Honda-Concerto-1-6-1989-1991-Steering-Rack-Boot-Kit-FSG3146-/290674820853?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43ad91c6f5
These look right to me.

I should give it a Power Steering Fluid change as well whilst I'm doing all this, when I go in to buy the fluid from Honda I'll find out about the lock nut washer.
Got a grease gun, and also have access to a press so I may as well do the LCA bushes too.

[grifty]

Wouldn't have even thought of the rack boots...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Honda-Concerto-1-6-1989-1991-Steering-Rack-Boot-Kit-FSG3146-/290674820853?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43ad91c6f5
These look right to me.

I should give it a Power Steering Fluid change as well whilst I'm doing all this, when I go in to buy the fluid from Honda I'll find out about the lock nut washer.
Got a grease gun, and also have access to a press so I may as well do the LCA bushes too.
I'm not sure if they are 100% the right ones since the Concerto ones have an outlet on the side for a small hose on both of them. You can get them from the dealership for about $20 each.

[Concerto_Polson]

I'm not sure if they are 100% the right ones since the Concerto ones have an outlet on the side for a small hose on both of them. You can get them from the dealership for about $20 each.

I always forget to consider the dealership, my whole general impression of getting Honda genuine parts is that they will cost a fortune...


finally seem to have fixed my continuing alternator issues, bought a new voltage regulator, that sorta fixed the car, but it would still put out more than 14.8 volts...
went and spoke to my local mechanic, and after explaining what had been happening he suggested it may be the diode/rectifier pack, so I replaced that with one from one of my spare alternators, and now all is running fine.

Oh, also finally OFF MY P PLATES!! Been a long year, but it is great to drive and not have to stay at 80km/h, or worry about prejudice from other drivers.

[jdm_b16a]

I always forget to consider the dealership, my whole general impression of getting Honda genuine parts is that they will cost a fortune...

Not always but most of the time. The wreckers are you're best friend. Cultivate a friendship there and they will look after you. Always check prices for parts before buying (this Forum is a good starting point). Sorry to see Honda parts in Tasmania are so expensive though.

Also might I suggest using this Forum's Buy & Sell sections because sometimes there are bargains. Oh, and don't discount eBay either. Some good stuff pops up on there. Lately, wheels seem to be going really cheap, like just over $100 for a set of 17" alloys.


... finally seem to have fixed my continuing alternator issues, bought a new voltage regulator, that sorta fixed the car, but it would still put out more than 14.8 volts...went and spoke to my local mechanic, and after explaining what had been happening he suggested it may be the diode/rectifier pack, so I replaced that with one from one of my spare alternators, and now all is running fine.

Well done. It is very satisfying to find faults and fix your own car. Good on you for getting your hands dirty and learning more about how your car "works". This makes problem-solving in the future much easier.


Oh, also finally OFF MY P PLATES!!

Congratulations and drive safely.

Keep the info and photos coming. Always love to read DIY stuff on the older Hondas.

Peter

[grifty]

I always forget to consider the dealership, my whole general impression of getting Honda genuine parts is that they will cost a fortune...


finally seem to have fixed my continuing alternator issues, bought a new voltage regulator, that sorta fixed the car, but it would still put out more than 14.8 volts...
went and spoke to my local mechanic, and after explaining what had been happening he suggested it may be the diode/rectifier pack, so I replaced that with one from one of my spare alternators, and now all is running fine.

Oh, also finally OFF MY P PLATES!! Been a long year, but it is great to drive and not have to stay at 80km/h, or worry about prejudice from other drivers.

It just depends on the part really, some are reasonably priced and some are pricey. For example i got quoted $770 for the front bar haha, but i got pedal rubbers for $7 each. It also helps when you know the person and you get lower than trade prices :D