Project 1977 Civic 1200 - a revival/recommissioning…

[oldbikesrcool]

Hi all,-
Our brother-in-law’s one-owner (we are now the second) ‘77 civic 1200 hatchback has made it into the garage, old fuel has been drained, fresh fuel added, driver side mirror attached, interior spruced up, and engine bay lightly cleaned. Now, we sort through the extra parts and begin the recommissioning!
-Galen

[oldbikesrcool]

First comes first...
Tires cracked and are waaaaay beyond their sell-by date (Sears 155/80SR12s date code "298"). New 165/65SR13s are on their way and will be mounted on the included spare set of '80-'81 Accord 12-hole rims w/beauty rings.
Water pump in need of immediate replacement; wobbling on the shaft...I'm astounded it's not leaking! New OEM replacement WP packaged with all the spare bits will be dealt with next week.
Once these High-Priority issues are remedied, the rest can be investigated and corrected or, if perfectly fine, left to perform as intended. Pics to be posted once I've reached the minimum postings.

[oldbikesrcool]

Who knew…
The in-the-original-box replacement water pump (“Vera” parts distributor name) that came with the car has a slightly smaller pulley bolt-hole mounting pattern than the existing pulley on the car. The replacement water pump is sans pulley and I assumed (yup, that word…) the old pulley would just mount straight up. Not so much.
Expediting replacement pump from PA now…

[Randy]

I have noticed that over the years some slight differences. I had one leak through the casting

[oldbikesrcool]

Water pump update:
Well, the PA sourced replacement is a no go. it came with a pulley mounted, which is fine and well, except that the impeller is slightly larger than the worn out, installed pump and contacts the engine casting. Methinks this variation might be for the 1.5L motor or automatic transmission variant or…? Worse still, The pump as received may not exactly be the part number on the box.
A GMB® 135-1131 replacement has now been ordered and will hopefully be here early next week.
Fingers crossed!

[oldbikesrcool]

Water pump update:
Success! The GMB 135-1311 w/pulley worked a treat. I know it’s just a simple water pump replacement, but with all the web site pictorial inaccuracies, conflicting descriptions, and misleading part numbers, this felt like a true victory.

Tires update:
Replaced the stock wheels and ‘80’s Sears Roadhandler 155/80R12s with ‘80-‘81(?) Accord 12-hole wheels w/beauty rings and mounted Waterfall Eco Dynamic 165/65R13s…WOW, what a difference!
I figured since now that I’m on a “roll” [insert chortle], I took this opportunity to bite the bullet and secure a set of four now discontinued Caldera (Federal) Confidence C3 155/80R12s from the Les Schwab tire store chain and then dropped off the stock 12” wheels to the powder coater. These will be mounted up and stored for posterity.
If anyone is still looking for a decent tire in the original size, Les Schwab has discontinued these but, still have a fair quantity in their supply.


Next, da Weber…

[oldbikesrcool]

Water pump update:
Success! The GMB 135-1311

*Correction*: part number should be 135-1131.
(Lisdexia, apparently…)

[Randy]

Ah, a success story! Glad you got the pump sorted out.
Tires, that’s a bonus.
I can hardly wait to see your new tires mounted.

Keep it rollin along …….

[oldbikesrcool]

Weber update:
Success!! I’m unfortunately not a gifted carburetor guy so enlisted ol’ school, “been-dare-dun-dat-hundreds-o-times”, local Weber soothsayer to perform the addaRedlineontomy rebuild kit install/tune.
Wow. Now THAT’S how they’re supposed to perform!!
Took Lil’ Buddy for a +20 mile ramble around the area and returned with an updated project status list…
To-dos:
Replace the holly muffler!! Exhaust fumes in the cab…
Replace the carpeting!! A few year’s condensation under a car cover apparently leaves a funk…

Next: thorough cleaning.

[Randy]

Wow, that’s great news.
That where I got my kit from, more simplified to tune.
Best part it’s new.