2002 Honda Civic LX auto - repair & modding

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

I worked on the Civic for a few hours this weekend. I removed more stuff from the engine. Still got a little ways to go.

I uncovered another part in need of repair. Seeing as a new manifold/cat combo is about $225, I think I'll take a shot at welding it up. Any other solutions?

Heh! Mine is in exactly the same condition.

I'm going to try welding if I don't make the crack worse when I pull the head.

[Xist]

Mine is like that. As far as I can tell, it does not leak--now.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by darcane

You will likely find 2-3 engine mounts torn. The front and rear handle the reaction from the engine torque and tend to tear, and the fluid filled mount on the driver's side is not very robust. I went with polyurethane inserts on the front and rear mounts and it adds a significant amount of NVH. It's enough to bother me and I typically have no problem with solid mounted V8s. Go with stock engine mounts if you have to replace.

How do you know if the driver's side engine mount is bad? I removed it the other day to get at the timing belt cover. Visually it looks fine.

I'm just about to order parts and want to finalize the list. So far I have:

head gasket
valve cover gasket
spark plugs
control arm bushings
timing belt kit with water pump
accessory belts
engine mounts (still have to check these)

Anything else worth looking at right now?

[user removed]

Manifold gaskets?
Crank seal, cam seal?
Idler bearings?
Distributor 0 ring?
Valve cover bolt seals?

regards
Mech

[Baltothewolf]

Oh Jeez with all these reports of cracking manifolds I better inspect mine for cracking...

[deejaaa]

i would have the manifold TIG welded instead of stick or MIG. much better heat control, less messy and looks real good.

[Daox]

Good tip on the cam seals Old Mechanic. I added that to the list. I checked and the front motor mount was torn. The rear was hard to see, but it looked okay.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by deejaaa

i would have the manifold TIG welded instead of stick or MIG. much better heat control, less messy and looks real good.

I wonder if grinding grooves perpendicular to the crack and welding those, as well as the crack, might prevent it from cracking again.

Definitely tig is the way to go with cast iron.

regards
Mech

[Daox]

The manifold is stamped and welded steel, not cast. I'll be sure to preheat it and also allow it to cool slowly to minimize stress from welding.

[Daox]

I continued working on the Civic this weekend. I got everything removed, except the crankshaft pulley bolt. Neither my pneumatic nor my electric impacts were able to take that thing off! Its currently soaking in penetrating oil to attempt to loosen it.