Restoration Nismo's 1979 1200 Civic Engine Swap EN1 + Brakes

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » August 17th, 2011, 2:22 pm

Well here is my first ever first gen civic. Picked it up a couple of weeks ago. Its a 1200 hondamatic at the moment but im going to convert it to manual and run the thor hybrid engine (en4 bottom end with the 1200 head). Ive got an acclaim waiting to be stripped in my yard so also going to convert to 4×100 too.
Its a tidy old girl having only covered 20k in its life. Theres rot on the wings sills and arches but nothing a bit of cutting and welding cant sort out. Its going to be my daily driver so i just want to tidy it up quickly and get behind the wheel as soon as possible as my current daily is not well.
Now, what colour should i paint it? I know some will say keep it original but i really don't like it. At the moment im swaying towards black, white or a shade of grey. Im planning on a few surprises along the way so watch this space.

As it was.

After a couple of hrs with the spanners.

Engine will be out tomorrow then ill start pulling the en4 out of the acclaim.

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » August 18th, 2011, 2:17 pm

I think its going to be grey or white with a twist. Anyway i got engine out today, wings off then gave it all a jet wash off. Inner wings are in good shape, minor surface rust under the hood, wings need a bit of work and bottom of A pillars are rotted. Also found a bodged repair on the rear valance where repairer thought filling it is easier than a bit of time with the hammers. Its also had a light shunt at the rear and a new front panel on in the past. All in all not looking too bad so far though.

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » August 19th, 2011, 2:02 pm

It is bad that filler job!

Had fun today pulling the EN4 out. Just got to get the pedals out tomorrow then sit it in the civic and modify the sub frame to give room for the down pipe.

Dirty old girl!

Bit cleaner

And a pic of the wheels im getting.

: 1224084446.jpg (11.89 KiB) Viewed 4175 times

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » August 23rd, 2011, 3:41 pm

Link to the wheels.
http://www.braid.es/wheels/products/no- ... s_p97.html

Got on with a few more jobs. Ive sat the en4 in and "modified" the sub frame to suit.

Then cleared the engine bay and removed battery tray as its going in the boot. Then the rest of the suspension and sub frame.

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » August 24th, 2011, 2:31 pm

Had another couple of hrs on it today. Removed all rear suspension ready for re furb then started chipping away at the under seal on inner wings. Its a painstaking job but very satisfying at the same time.

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » September 10th, 2011, 11:50 am

Back to work now so Brett has been a busy boy chipping away at the old under seal and removing final bits of trim from the shell.

The under seal really has done a great job of protecting the sills and arches. Drivers side sill needs a small patch doing and a little on the rear both sides. Jacking points are as new and rear arch lips only need a tiny repair.

How about this for a chunk of filler!

Needs a new rear valance on which professor big paws is sending me then boot
floor needs straightening properly too after a previous bodge job.

Hoping to have the welding done and under the hood prepped and ready for primer by the end of next week and maybe start to get the rear quarter panels something like straight.

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » September 10th, 2011, 1:03 pm

Tried to remove the underseal using a 9" or 4" grinder and a wire cup brush but…..

Tried it kid but its about 4mm thick in places and it just clogs the brush and spreads it rather than removing it. Can make good progress with a wide screwdriver as it comes of in big pieces. I was annoyed though when i got into work on thursday because the last thing i told brett not to do was not to us a hammer to get it off, and guess what... he used a hammer and i now have to repair all the marks that he's put in the inner wing. I told him at least 4 times, he just doesnt ruddy listen. :evil

:

Common sense isnt his forte.

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » October 24th, 2011, 4:08 pm

Finally had a bit of time on the old girl. I had all my suspension and sub frame sandblasted, best 50 notes ive ever spent.

Then a couple of coats of etch primer.

Then 4 coats of chassis black.

Then finished up the welding on the rear.

Then spent 6 hrs today prepping the engine bay and wheel arches for a coat of etch. I was not looking forward to sanding the bulkhead in all the nooks and crannies but pulled out a cheapo sandblaster and it worked a treat.

Got to seam seal it all up tomorrow then stone chip the arches and hit the inner wings with hi build.

The tips of my fingers are almost bleeding and ive still got sand in my ear but i love my job sometimes.

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » October 26th, 2011, 2:52 pm

I wanted a JDM chin spoiler but cant find one anywhere so i mocked one up today and im pleased with how it looks. Just got to make a few final adjustments then cut it out of sheet metal then weld it up. Should i weld it to the car and have it flush or rivet it on?

I think im going for Roja Red so im ordering the wheels next week so do i keep them gold centers or go for a gunmetal grey center?

Gold me thinks. Sorry for all the questions.

nismo · Unread post by **nismo** » October 26th, 2011, 6:30 pm

Ive got to finalise the proportions when i get the bumpers so could be trimmed back a little yet, but thats the look of chin im after. I just love the stlye of them.
When its in metal with clean edges it will not look as chunky too.

Trust me i wont make it look daft............imo anyway.

1StGenOfDurham

1StGenOfDurham

Restoration Nismo's 1979 1200 Civic Engine Swap EN1 + Brakes

Restoration Nismo's 1979 1200 Civic Engine Swap EN1 + Brakes