Ben Nelson's Electro-Metro Build thread

[Ryland]

A dented hood is a simple remove and replace, no body work needed, 4 bolts and it's off.
as for engines configuration, you can either use the honda parts list or a simple google image search should give you the answer "honda engine bay" or something simaler.
I also think that checking with salvage yards for vehicles with bad head gaskets, or with people who collect vehicles for salvage yards would be fruitful, just make sure that they realize that you NEED a title.
as for the clutch, you can either go without a clutch, or replace it for about $100 or less if you go with a discount brand, and motors are going to be less wear on a clutch so discount brand might be ok.

[MetroMPG]

The downside to that Accord (beside the CCW transmission input shaft) is power steering. Ideally your car will have manual steering in ICE form - which means Metros, some Saturns & older Civics... Not a deal breaker though, depending on how hard it is to steer with the belt off.

That Civic sounds like a junkyard car. Too rusty?

[dremd]

I'd bet that somebody has put a manual rack in an Accord before, may be worth a look see.

[MetroMPG]

Have you heard anything from the motor guru (TM) yet?

[bennelson]

Here's what Jim H. had to say about the two motors I pulled from the forklift:


" The 6 pole is kind of
finicky and has a cruddy shaft with no easy
replacement. The drive motor (570-215/201 maybe a
200) is the shorter commed version of the MNE motors.
They went to a bigger brush after that motor. It has
the mass but the weak link will be in the brushes.
Some get away with 80 lbs motors but they have 8
brushes instead of just 4 small ones. It does have
the same DE plate as the Advance FB1 motor (not same
bolt pattern though) but maybe you could mod the
adaptor plate if you ever upgraded to a full 9. To be
honest it's a motor that's hard to say how it'll do.
It would make a bad ass motorcycle motor, FWIW....

Jim"


Sounds like Jim is saying "try it at your own risk".

If I can find a decent donor vehicle for not too much money, I am perfectly willing to try out this motor, but I think it is going to have be be a SMALL vehicle if I use the drive motor. Think Ford Festiva!

[MetroMPG]

I wonder what exactly are the consequences of not having the paired brush sets. More arcing? Cooking the brush leads? So maybe you burn up brushes faster. They're easy to replace.

[bennelson]

How about a Toyota Tercel?

There is a Craigslisting for one right now.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/car/589595413.html


"First off, this car is not running. It worked fine until it quite starting. It doesn't turn over, so i'm pretty sure its the starter. I have a spare starter for it, i just don't have the means of fixing it myself with the weather and all. Car will be sold as is with spare starter and also a spare alternator... would make a quick fix or parts/scrap car. It's not a pretty car but with around 150k theres still many miles left in this toyota. I have the TITLE. I wanted to fix this car but i can't wait till spring... it just keeps racking up parking tickets in front of my house. I just want to make the money back from all those tickets. email me your questions or call at 920-323-7722.
-Patrick"

[Daox]

Starter replacement is quite easy if you can jack the car up. Same engine as I have in my 93 Tercel, except its carburated. My concern would be the body. I believe in 1990 they hadn't gone to the more curvy body style. Its most likely a sharp edged vehicle so your Cd will be higher. They are pretty light though weighing in at around 2000 lbs.

[MetroMPG]

Definitely worth a look, I'd say. I agree - the body/floor will be a key issue.

[metroschultz]

It is very clean looking from here (950 miles away)
I ahve always liked the Tercel.
Cheap to buy. (especially when broken)
Easy to fix.
Cheap parts.
Intelligent design.(not over-engineered)
Easy to re-sell. (not a concern for you)
But that is one of the boxy ones. (not to worry you won't be going for the land speed record)
Have Fun
S.