Somebody talk me out of this 1984 CRX!!!

[thecarfarmer]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I remember either Motor Trend or Car and Driver drove one of those at 55MPH and got 73MPG when it was new.

I bought an 84 new, made in July 1983. It was serial number 1018.

The problem is the spaghetti factory of vacuum lines, switches, servos, and all the issues with them and the carburetor.

They were slow, with 0-60 times of 13.5 seconds, the 1.5 I got was good for 44 MPG and I was not trying to drive it as efficiently as I would today, but it would do 0-60 in about 10 seconds.

If you are patient you might get it back to OE operational condition, but it will certainly be a challenge.

regards
Mech

Ah, yeah... I remember the '84-7 model Civics; they bought me a house.

Intake problems: hoses rot (and there are dozens of 'em), base gaskets like to start leaking (and they're not cheap), and the carbs get crud in 'em from rusty fuel filler necks (and by now, probably tanks).

The hoses and gaskets are straightforward: replace 'em. Just tedious work; nothing trick.

Carbs... I used a vacuum gizmo to suck out the carb passages. Check with carb cleaner. Replace filler neck and tank as needed. Now, if you don't want to get good at cleaning the carb (with practice, you'll just flip the lid up and do 'em in situ), go to a boat place and get a RACOR fuel filter with a screw-on can; install it right before the carb. They'll catch the crud.

BTW, you probably already know, but... when you pull the head on one of those, you replace piston rings (unless you don't care about oil consumption).

With all the engine management gizmos now pushing 25 years old, it might be a good candidate for a megasquirt installation. Or as was suggested above, an EV project.

In fact, I've got a buddy looking for a CRX HF here in the PNW... if anybody knows of one in the Seattle area, I'll forward it to him.

-Bill

[comptiger5000]

Wonderboy - I would love something like this as a second car, but unless it's running and reliable, it can't be my only vehicle. The Jeep, while it has its issues, and keeps me busy, is pretty reliable, and I can count on it to run and drive when I need it to. Plus, there is no way the CRX has more cargo space. I could fit most of the CRX in the back of the Jeep with the seats down.

After college, I plan to retire the Jeep from DD duty ASAP. If I had a way to store a second car up here, I'd consider having something efficient for running errands, etc, and simply trailer it up and back behind the Jeep at the beginning and end of the schoolyear. Plus, for a cheap project car up here, the $400 BMW 750iL for sale is way to too tempting. It needs a door and a quarter panel from a minor accident, but runs and drives, and is otherwise in decent shape. Of course, it would probably get worse city mileage than the Jeep, although it would be better on the highway.

The CRX would be an awesome project, and I'd love to have one, but unfortunately, now just isn't the time. Plus, I don't have the money to put into it now anyway. Also, now that I'm all settled in up here, I'm not driving a lot. I've put a whopping 50 miles on the Jeep in the last week and a half.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by thecarfarmer

BTW, you probably already know, but... when you pull the head on one of those, you replace piston rings (unless you don't care about oil consumption).

Unfortunately the rings are no longer available for the 1300. They use the same "gapless" rings as the Metro XFi. I know they're NLA since I tried to get some to replace my XFi rings.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by Wonderboy

Gasoline Fumes - BUY IT!! If need be you could easily find someone to bite on redpepperracing dot com. That site is a fantastic resource for 1st gen CRX owners. Tons of parts for sale/trade and very specific knowledge. If the valves are bent, you've got a nice light shell for an electric car. (More projects!!! haha)

Seriously though, do it.

I said talk me out of it! I've been a member of RPR for years, but haven't been there in a while. I might be tempted to turn a 60+ MPG CRX into a 40 MPG CRX if I go to RPR.

I could put a G10 in it!

[Wonderboy]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I could put a G10 in it!

Now where would you get a crazy idea like that? IT CAN'T BE DONE!!!

[mtti1047]

Hello,
New member here.... very cool site!
Does anybody know if this car is still available?? (the 1984 Honda CRX 1.3L barn find)
Gasoline Fumes, did you buy this car? I am looking for a 1984 Honda CRX 1.3L car... I'm located on the west coast, so this car in NY may be waaay out of the question for me, but I'm still interested if the car is available? My brother lives in NY... so there's a possibility I could keep it with him.
Thanks!

[California98Civic]

I got a ride in this car hitch-hiking once back in the early 90s. And I remember a 51hwy mpg claim from the TV and magazine ads. This car is legendary in my mind. I wish I had one and the cash/time to make it go reliably. But I wouldn't take that line about a car that has been sitting in a barn for nearly twenty years therefore being effectively only 10 years old. It's a 28 year old car with fewer miles on it than some... Make it go! GOOD LUCK!

[Gasoline Fumes]

The CRX ended up on craigslist and sold pretty quick. Hopefully to someone who is taking good care of it.

[War_Wagon]

I looked at a 1 owner,5 speed, original black paint '87 CRX Si last year, so it was F.I. even, with 134,000 kms on it for $1200. Either I was too drunk at the time, or not drunk enough, but for some reason I didn't buy it. I still kick myself for that! Sadly we can't buy everything, but that was one I sure messed up on.

[slowmover]

Somebody talk me out of this 1984 CRX!!!

Okay, true story. Friend of mine owned one. Used to travel half of Texas on business, worked well for him. Had a typical '80's vice involving a runny nose. Woke up one morning to his dead fiance next to him, OD'd. Bought a Buick. Later a happy Hare Krishna (also true).

Never know what might start one on unanticipated life changes.

.