Black & Green modding thread (1998 Civic DX Coupe base)

[California98Civic]

Thanks. I appreciate a little encouragement now and again. I have not done the timing belt yet, I'm sad to say. But I am only a little late, since I didn't replace it the previous time until at least 110,000 miles, so I'm not too late at 217,000. But to your question... I am torn. I have looked online for used Civic pulleys that never had the PS and AC slots, and I have considered buying an aftermarket one, if I can find one fitting the needed specs (especially dampening). But I have been so busy it has been a project stuck on the back burner.

[TexasCotton]

You have installed LED headlights

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by TexasCotton

You have installed LED headlights

No. LEDs are in all other locations, ecept the fron directionals which are still OEM. The headlihts are HID, consuming maybe 20watts less per bulb than the OEM lights. I like my lighting set up quite a lot.

[hamsterpower]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Thanks. I appreciate a little encouragement now and again. I have not done the timing belt yet, I'm sad to say. But I am only a little late, since I didn't replace it the previous time until at least 110,000 miles, so I'm not too late at 217,000. But to your question... I am torn. I have looked online for used Civic pulleys that never had the PS and AC slots, and I have considered buying an aftermarket one, if I can find one fitting the needed specs (especially dampening). But I have been so busy it has been a project stuck on the back burner.

Do you happen to know how different D series pullies are from the B series? I found this from Fluidampr- Honda B Series, Race Series
I know most everything else is different but not sure about the pullies.

[cbaber]

The diameter on the B series is larger so they are not interchangeable.

[California98Civic]

Trying to learn more about materials and techniques for future mods, and trying to improve the interior appearance of my car a little. Three projects.

First: lighter, cleaner, cheap new floormats

I used my old worn-out and heavy floormats as a template for new mats using on sale carpet I got at Lowes for a house project:

Then I used this botton thingy I found on the ground somewhere long ago to make the eye for the floormat's hook on the driver side:

and..


Second: mounting with trim tape and painting two-tone

I bought this classic early civic "CVCC" badge at a junk yard last year and decided finally to play with it. I only just learned about "trim tape." ...


Painted green:

Painted black with plastidip:

Plastidip cut away with an exacto blade:


Third: practice fiberglassing by making small "instrument panel"

Here is the final product, to the left, in front of the shifter:


Cardboard aided design! I found the right shape by trim-fitting cardboard and then applied the fiberglass directly to the cardboard:


Then I soaked off the carboard:


Lessons learned:

1) Cheap carpet is not that sturdy under the stress of the driver's heals, so I have been putting down paper to prevent premature wear on the driver side.

2) Plasti-dip does not always peel all that precisely. I had to redo my CVCC badge and the line is not quite as clean as I wanted it to be, but it looks good.

3) After I liberated the fiberglass from the cardboard, the fiberglass warped. A guy I know who shapes surfboards gave me advice on blending different sorts of fiberglass cloth to get greater strength and control warping.

[California98Civic]

Modding and maintaining goals for the summer:

MAINTENANCE (these are first):
a- Timing belt scheduled change. (done 8/10)
b- coolant leak (solved 6/24 by replacing upper rad hose sealant).
c- head gasket (solved 6/23 when block tester showed no problem after all).
d- Catalytic converter (clean or replace for emissions testing in August).
e- oil leaks (replaced oil pan crushwasher 6/25, replaced valve cover bolt grommet 6/29, found oilpan/crankpulley leak 7/12).
f- valve lash adjustment before emissions test (done 7/31).
g- fresh oil, oil filter, & air filter just before emissions test.
h- replaced front engine mount (done 8/6)

ECOMODDING (in no real order):
Undertray/diffuser (excluding engine bay unless I solve all fluid leaks).
Wheel well skirts 3.0 (aluminum).
Grill block changes (reduced lower blocking 7/22).
Machining crank pulley to single belt (changed my mind 8/6).

GENERAL (comfort/utility/fun):
Finish dashboard changes (done 7/20).
Restore the OEM paint job as much as possible.
Install replacement driver door handle.
Repair drivers window trim (done 7/30)
Clean out back & add single-person sleeping deck for an El Mirage camping trip.

HYPERMILING:
A 70+ mpg tank before Sept 22 (got it 8/17).

And whatever else distracts me!

[j12piprius]

How did you discover the head gasket was bad, and what do you think was the cause?

I just had the timing belt & water pump changed, and had asked them to do a head gasket test. They wouldn't do it because, (1) they'd have to get a kit, and (2) there weren't any signs (but they'd not looked at that point). I've not lost any coolant so hopefully all is well, but wish I'd done the leaktest myself.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

How did you discover the head gasket was bad, and what do you think was the cause?

I just had the timing belt & water pump changed, and had asked them to do a head gasket test. They wouldn't do it because, (1) they'd have to get a kit, and (2) there weren't any signs (but they'd not looked at that point). I've not lost any coolant so hopefully all is well, but wish I'd done the leaktest myself.

There is a little oil coming from the seal around that bolt that goes into the valve cover between the spark plugs. Just enough to glisten, but it's there. And I seem to go through oil faster. No coolant in the oil, thanks god. I don't loose much coolant, but there is a leak in the seal around the thermostat housing.

I don't know the cause, but it is the original gasket, with 218,000 US miles on it over 16 years.

[j12piprius]

Thanks for the feedback. Is the oil your only indication?