Just bought a Honda...

[chez00]

Hey guise,

I've just bought my second Honda (My first was an RM125 when I was 13).

I've been wanting a work ute for a while, and thought I'd go for something a little unique, haha.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y471/neatgearboxes/IMG_3884_zps50bd9b1c.jpg

This is the panel van version of the TN360. The rear hatch lifts straight off leaving a flat bed tray. I just need the drop sides for the tray and I'm good to go.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y471/neatgearboxes/IMG_3885_zps2479dd5d.jpg

She's a bit rough but will get a full dose of love over the next year or so, doing a full nuts and bolts restoration back to minty fresh condition. May do some slight mods to make it look rad but pretty much a stock restoration, it has heaps of character already. A couple of motorcycle mufflers and a bit of chrome/powdercoating etc. maybe.

The good thing is the rust is 90% surface - I've only found 2 holes the size of 50c pieces. The panels are straight and I haven't found anything missing yet except the cigarette lighter. The mighty 354cc twin air-cooled donk will get a rebuild as will the apparently all-synchro 4 speed gearbox.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y471/neatgearboxes/IMG_3897_zpsfb3de977.jpg

I'm thinking I might do an OEM colour respray - they came in three colours, I think I like the beige. I've really gotta get me some snow tracks too for extra practicality in Radelaide, lol.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y471/neatgearboxes/honda-tniii_zps69da4708.jpg

[Jasemas]

Holy cow
So rare
ANTHRAXX bought one about a year ago
And planned to restore it
Was in pretty bad condition
See how you go with this build!

[Jasemas]

Also do the caterpillar mod please

[chez00]

Also do the caterpillar mod please

Yeah I really should, haha.

Anyone got any experience setting up a rotisserie?

[IEVAQ8]

nice find Sam, good luck, def looking forward to seeing this finished

[Vvvtec]

Haha awesome Sam! Keeeeen

[mocchi]

fuarrkkk this is so jdm

[mooshie]

No shit.. Even if you paid asking price this was a serious bargain. Was considering getting it myself but wasn't quite what I'm after

[.Dave]

Epiccc!!!!!! So cool!

[chez00]

Gave the donk a leak down test and cylinder 1 is like 80% through the valves. I wanted an excuse to rip it apart anyway, so not too fussed. Someone has tidied the engine up on the exterior, and it was pretty clean internally too when I pulled the rocker cover off. I may just get away with a valve grind (may even just be a sticky valve), but I'll strip it right apart in the next couple of weeks and give it a thorough going over before I tackle the body.

In other news I stripped the interior out and the floorpan is completely rusted through. My landlord is a coach builder (my workshop is an ex-panel shop) and said he'd do it if I rebuild a diff for his MG. Deal. Also, unfortunately, my engine number does not match the plate. Not a biggie, but a little disappointing.

[carayan]

Kswap??

hehe

[IEVAQ8]

keep at it Sam...
Its always hard to run a business on ur own and find time for urself and the family let alone a project car...
Love it, something different and really kool...

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

[ouch]

yes! hope this is brought back to its former glory!

[chez00]

As is often the case with a project like this, I have found that the engine and gearbox are in worse condition than originally thought. The cylinder leakage was due to sooted up valves - all good, just a valve grind and away I go. The pistons and bores are fine, too.

The crankshaft has damage on 1 main journal and both big end pins. I could have repaired the damage on the main bearing but the big-end damage makes the crank a bin job short of a weld-and-grind solution, which is a bit of a last resort. The other main issue is that my crown wheel is missing a few teeth, and there is some minor damage on the drive gear. Needed a peen and polish!

So basically I am chasing down a spare bottom end. I have a couple of leads. Hopefully I can come up with something.

[IEVAQ8]

stick with it sam...
it will work out for ya

[Snoop_gee]

coolest lil truck ive seen.

[ouch]

updates! this thing is awesome!

[u mad?]

k swap with tracks

[Renaissance_x]

Very very cool car.

Bit jealous.

[Renaissance_x]

I really like the panel van thing on the bed though.

[Renaissance_x]

http://s4.postimg.org/ot7vtzhi5/honda_tniii_zps69da4708.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
free pic (http://postimage.org/)

[chez00]

Yeah a few updates - I have tracked down a spare crank and rods, so back on track with the engine build. I need to split the replacement crank to make sure this crank is ok but apparently it was out of a runner so fingers crossed.

The crown wheel was also missing a few teeth (needed peen and polish clearly). I managed to get myself a replacement crown wheel and gearbox including the drive gear so pretty happy about that. I'll crack test it all and then give it a peen and polish.

The gearboxes in these are dog boxes, no synchros. They are a 4 speed, with 3rd being 1:1 and 4th being a long overdrive (0.615).

[curtis265]

bit of inspiration
http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/10/keeping-real-classic-hondas/

[IEVAQ8]

keep it up sam, its hard having a project of this sort, especially if u do it for a living...

[chez00]

Finally getting stuck in, working out how bad it all is....28514

[IEVAQ8]

more more more...

[chez00]

It's all pretty good. Bores are already 1mm oversized but in good nick and will clean up with a very light hone. Pistons are reusable. Head might need new valve seat inserts, they're fairly beaten in. Inlet valves are on the thin side but should be ok. I'll post up some pics of the machining next week. Just ordered a gasket set so should come together in the next couple of months.