Look At This!!

THIS IS THE REAL THING!!

It even has greasy markings on the sides and edges like someone was actually using it while fixing an engine.  Where does one even get this stuff?
Awesome!  And the pictures are amazing!

It's Here!!!

Got it!!
This will make for nice bedtime reading on my birthday trip to Victoria!
Maybe...
Or ferry ride/road trip reading.
This is exciting!
Still waiting for the original factory manual though...

New Purchases

I bought that oil pan - it's really an "all fluids" pan and doesn't have a fancy lid, but it'll do. 
The orange bottle is hand soap for removing all sorts of engine gunk.  It came with a detachable nail brush.
Then because the Polisher runs at 3500 rpm and I couldn't even do that in an hour by hand, I decided that would make the polishing job a lot easier.  Next to that is some extra polish. 

Now if only it would stop raining....

Plan of Action Brainstorming

Collin and I had a discussion about what exactly we are going to do once the Manuals (key in angel chorus here) arrive.
Collin wants to read them first.  I can see that.
I would like to delve in immediately.  I should probably prepare a little first. 
Good point.
So where are we going to actually do the work?  I was informed twice today that it may not be the best idea to take the engine apart on the street.  My driveway is very slanted though. 
So to avoid fines or arrest or even worse, public reprimand, we'll likely end up working in the driveway.
Which means we will need blocks.
Collin has connections for such things.  Perfect.  That's free.
Next I'm going to buy one of those cool round plastic oil pans with the lid.  I saw them for ten bucks at Schucks a while ago and wanted one really bad but I didn't have a purpose for it.
Well, now I do!
The question of how we're going to even get the engine out has come up a few times.  I keep getting reminded that engines are heavy.  Yes, I get it.  I'll figure something out. 
I kicked around the idea of a pulley system for about a minute during this discussion. 
There has to be something available to rent.
We're going to read the manual first before we get to that point.

Reference Materials

I don't think I could ever have too much information, so the OEM manual is also on the way.

Now We Wait

Should be arriving in the mail any day now......

I Don't Think That Should Be There

You saw that too, right?  Oil where the air filter is supposed to go?  Somehow that doesn't seem right.

The Inside

It's a pretty engine and relatively simple.  That's the only reason Collin said he suggested we fix it ourselves.  I said after I turned the Hondamatic off the last time "My car smells like a lawn mower!"  Collin claimed that it very well could be and that was why he was even willing to touch it.

Investigation

Gray sludgy fluid

My camera is so awful, this is supposed to be a close up ofr the gray sludgy fluid

Okay, so the oil never was pretty to begin with, but this is baaad.

Empty

Empy reservoir

Empty and sludgy

                                        

At some point in the not so distant past there actually was coolant in the Hondamatic.  I think it all ended up in the oil and out the tailpipe.        

What's Wrong?

Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures on Thursday when I started the Hondamatic and discovered it had turned itself into a concert fog machine.  It was literally creating it's own cloud system at street level.  Big billowy white clouds.

The Outside

This is the exterior.  All in all she is not in bad shape.  A few dents and dings all over but sound in form.  She will need a good polishing.  I've tried already and it can be done, with a lot of elbow grease and a day that doesn't promise rain.  I might be able to get some of that work in while I wait for the repair manual to arrive in the mail.

This is how it started

I bought my 1978 Honda Accord CVCC about a month ago for $800.  It had been sitting for over a decade until about six months ago when it was taken out of storage. 
Then it became mine. 
I knew it needed some love.  First thing was an oil change, oil filter and air filter replacement and fluid top off.  There was an immediate improvement in performance - however slight. 
Then the brake light went on. 
The master cylinder was bad.  Had that replaced. 
Then they changed out the rotted regulator and fuse. 
Next up was the fuel filter and the spark plugs.  Who knows how long they had been hanging out in the Hondamatic.  The appointment was for Friday 5/20/11.

We never got there.

On Thursday I started the car to go to work.  The Hondamatic labored and then stalled when I pulled away from the curb.  Lots of white smelly smoke was coming out the tailpipe.  It wouldn't start after that for about five minutes of trying.  Finally after much coaxing the Hondamatic turned over.  I could tell it really wanted to.  I drove around the block, while Collin followed me, and  I decided to park it again and make a decision. 
1. I could junk it for $50. 
2. I could sell the body for $400 maybe. 
Or
3. I could find a mechanic and an engine for about $2000.

Well, Collin and I have decided to rebuild the engine ourselves.
It certainly won't make things any worse than they are now.