That's true Sue

By Sue (152.163.100.199) on Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 12:26 pm:

The easiest way for me to tell is by looking at the valve cover. My 1979 1500 CVCC says CVCC right on the top. My 1200 just says HONDA on it.

By Sue (152.163.100.199) on Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 12:24 pm:

The easiest way for me to tell is by looking at the valve cover. My 1979 1500 CVCC says CVCC right on the top. My 1200 just says HONDA on it.

By -Andrew Smit- (Cvcc_Wagon) (154.20.95.104) on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 08:05 pm:

here's a pic of my motor on the stand viewing it from the front, the head gasket is in the middle between the red block and the aluminum. this is a 1.8l but if your motor looks similar to this from the front you have a 1.5l CVCC

http://www.redpepperracing.com/gallery/after_machine_shop/aas

By Darrell--Arizona-- (68.109.151.121) on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 07:09 am:

Hey Brady.

I think we're all routing for you. We all understand your love for your car and we also know of your hesitation to work on it. We weren't born as mechanics either but somehow we learned. We learned through books or talking to people or just taking stuff apart. You already have what's most important....a desire to fix your car. Where there's a will, there's a way.

I wanted to attach a picture of the head gasket to show you where it is, but I don't have a good one right now. Many people on this board would do the work you need in an afternoon and we believe you can too. We can even post pictures of how to do it. You'll be proud that you worked on it.

That's the way I feel. Hopefully that's not too cheesy. The most important thing is to get your car back on the road. Its up to you to find how how to do that, but I think you already know that we are a huge resource.

Let us know how we can help.
Darrell

By bruce (63.26.209.240) on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 03:23 am:

to tell the difference, easiest way is look at the motor, if the exhuast comes out the front its a 1200, out the back its a cvcc.

By Brady12 (141.151.237.24) on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 08:10 pm:

Roger, Jonathan, Darrell, and Bruce:

You guys may be right about my mechanic, he said he "thinks" that I have a cracked head or block, and it would require taking apart the engine and he wasn't willing to do on a 79 Honda.

First let me tell you that I am totally incompetant when it comes to anything with a car other than putting in gas. I really want this car, and just for clarification I do also drive a 2005 Ford Escape. The Honda is very special to me because it was my first car, that's why I decided to rescue it from an old trailor part, but I think I may have gotten a little over my head........and feel that I have no where to go for real help.

So I have assumed this whole time that my 79 "hondamatic" had a 1200-CVCC motor, but from what you guys are saying, it's one or the other. Is there anyway sure I can find out?

I'm located between Altoona and Johnstown Pennsylvania.


What can I expect to pay for a used motor?

The car body is in pretty good shape, a little surface rust. It does need new brakes and a full exhaust - but I didn't think those things were a real big deal right now. I was more worried about getting the thing running.

Any help you guys can give me I'd appreciate!

Thanks

Brady

By Jonathan (68.193.6.173) on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 07:06 pm:

Brady, I do have a spare CVCC motor that probably needs a rebuild, I'm using it to mock up an A/C system and a dual sidedraft setup at the moment. Once I'm done with the motor, you're welcome to it, but I don't think it'll fit in your 1200 easily. I also have a complete CVCC engine/trans that you could use, it's currently in a car but I'll help you pull it if you want it.

Best bet is to get another 1200 motor or rebuild what you have. I agree that it's probably the head gasket, not a cracked block or head. I'd say your next step is to find out exactly what's wrong with your caar before planning on a route. Budget how much you're willing to spend on the car, get some prices for what it would cost to install a new engine, and make your decision then. Being a northeast car, you might have some nasty rust issues to deal with too. If you have the room to keep the car and work on it, there's no harm in attempting the repair yourself. The only thing you'll be out is your time.

If you're close to Carlisle, PA, there's an import car show and swap meet there this weekend, you might want to stop by and see if they have anything you could use. I know I'll be there .

By bruce (70.106.188.228) on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 12:52 pm:

I have 3 cvcc motors sitting in my shed now. one I just pulled out of mine because I put in a 1751....been rebuilt.....great shape...have to run a sythetic blend in it.

By Zippy (Zippy) (12.106.14.107) on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 12:02 pm:

First, your mechaic is likely wrong. A blown head gasket can easliy cause the problems you listed. Second a CVCC is not a 1200. Totally different motors. You have one or the other. Third, don't ever go to the dealer. Unless you like getting robbed. Fourth, you have come to the right place.

Jonathan (North Jersey) may have a spare CVCC motor hanging around or I (PA, near Trenton NJ) can likely set you up with what you need for a 1200.

You probably have a blown head gasket. The repair can be done in a number of levles, but if you do it yourself it's pretty cheap. You need to figure out what the problem is. I am skeptical that your "mechanic" is qualified or willing to do this.

I encourage you to be brave and take the time to learn how to work on the car yourself. You obviously aren't rich or you'd be driving a car less than 26 years old. So if you're poor it'd be best to do it yourself, becasue your old beater is going to break on a regular basis. You will have to pay somebody everytime some little thing goes wrong. That can easily equal a car loan. And, the mechaniching isn't very hard. You just have to read the books and take your time to learn what to do.

Give us the whole story on your car and the symptoms and we'll walk you through the diagnosing process.

By vccivic (24.85.232.159) on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 10:20 am:

isn't an iron block on those?

If it is a lost cause, maybe think about getting another first gen motor but from a prelude or accord?

By Darrell--Arizona-- (68.109.151.121) on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 09:34 am:

Head gaskets go out all the time on the civics, but I've never heard of it being that bad. Maybe its just the warped head.

Zippy (Roger) might be able to hook you up, or tell you of a junk yard.

Where in PA are you located?

By Brady12 (71.240.201.220) on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 07:58 am:

Hello All............

Well bad news from my mechanic today, he said that my 79 Honda Civic (CVCC 1200) has a cracked head or block he wasn't really sure without tearing the engine all apart. He did say that antifreeze was pouring out everywhere when he had it running. So here's my problem.......what do I do next? I'm not mechanically inclined, and my mechanic told me that with the car being a 79 and parts hard to find he really doesn't have the time to work on it.

What do you think is my best move? Do I need a whole new motor? The car has 95,000 miles on it. The body is in great shape a little surface rust but was due for a paint job this summer.

I was thinking about taking it to the local Honda dealer for repair? What do you guys think?

Thanks

Brady (Pennsylvania)