[downest]

Scott's leaving for Troy in 3 and a half hours, should see him by noon...

So in anticipation a got a couple of friends (one who may be a new CRX owner tomorrow) to help me pull the motor. A couple of pints at the pub, and we got it out in about an hour, followed by a few more pints and some guitar hero.

So the damage... the block is like I thought, beyond repair. I'll post some pics soon, the top bolt ripped out a lot of aluminium, and the bottom took all the threads. The cam gear is fine, I'm going to smooth the edges, but it only got hit about 2mm deep.

I found the rear mount completely loose, I had only had two bolts in there, because one of the holes was stripped out. I found one sitting on top of the mount, and the other is gone, 2 of the three holes are stripped completely. The tranny is in good shape mechanically, we're thinking of drilling out the holes and TIGing some aluminium cylinders in there, and tapping those for the bolts. I might look for another case off a blown tranny to transfer to.

Some of the plugs/sensors hit the firewall, the clip smashed on the TPS too, but everything is functional. I got the head off, separated the tranny and everything, so I just have to take everything out of the block for transfer tomorrow. Hopefully we have some 6061 rod and can get the tranny fixed... or I can find another one... I'm planning to have the whole thing done on sunday, we'll see how it goes.

 

[rex2nr]

We might be able to helicoil the tranny.

 

[downest]

Yeah we'll have to figure that out...

I'm getting excited, as usual can't sleep when there's a swap project coming up. I'm mostly worried about the tranny mount, I think that's going to be the biggest hang up. I'll get some pics today of the fun!

 

[coldtotouch]

you've seen some crazy stuff tom... good luck with this one...

 

[rex2nr]

so far, so good... just a minor coolant leak

 

[mithuth]

I can't belive this thread has been up without pics this long...

Whree's [email protected] when you need him.. :lol:

 

[downest]

Ha! He posted on my computer while I was showering... beat me to it!

It all went really smoothly. I found that only one of the tranny mount holes was stripped, so I helicoiled it and it's holding fine now. I think the threads on the front of the three were just a little messed up, I chased them with a tap and I can get a bolt in, but not the short one that goes there because the threads on it are all messed up, I can't even get the dye started on it. I cleaned up the cam gear with a die grinder (very carefully) and it's fine too. We got a lot done, transferred every last part (minus the tensioner) from my old block to the one Scott brought me, and it all seems to be holding up well.

The only problem is the aforementioned coolant leak... The thermostat housing tube isn't sealing correctly on the water pump side, I'm going to try to tackle that from underneath (on the lift). I don't know if the O-ring isn't seated or if it might need some RTV, I've never had a leak there. I have a couple more of those things so I can see if I have one in better shape.

In other news, I converted another person! My friend came home with this CRX today. It's pretty sweet, I read up on that build when planning my D, and now that very car is owned by a good friend. I'm sure he'll post soon, he signed up the other day.

 

[downest]

I can't belive this thread has been up without pics this long...

Whree's [email protected] when you need him.. :lol:

I have a few pics, mostly of the engine leaning to the side before I pulled it. They're on my friend's camera so I'll have to get them.

Forgot to mention, Scott found the missing piece of my block sitting on the front crossmember!

 

[coldtotouch]

hehe... lemme know if your buddy is interested in parting with his motor setup

 

[rex2nr]

I already offered him 20 for it... no dice. Tom offered 50 for the header... not interested either.

 

[coldtotouch]

I already offered him 20 for it... no dice. Tom offered 50 for the header... not interested either.

Well i'd be interested in the whole setup... i really like the idea of an N/A Built-D.

 

[downest]

He's not selling it...

Anyway, updates...

I ended up replacing the O-ring on the pipe and it seals fine now. I took Scott out for a ride and there was some weird speed-related vibration, and when we got back, there was a ripped coolant hose on the back of the block. I rotated a hose clamp out of the way and it tore the hose... oh well, it needs to be replaced anyway, I think it came off my old CRX and it's clearly in need of replacement.
I'm not sure what the vibration is, but it could be my axles. When I was rolling the shell in/out of the shop without the motor in, I left the axles in it suspended by wire in the bay and bolted into the hubs (I think it keeps the wheel bearings together). The driver side axle lost the band around the inner cup/boot a while ago, and I didn't have one to replace it so I put a (I know I know) zip tie on it, and it's worked fine since. When it was rolling around, the cup and two of the bearings fell out in the snow. I found one of the bearings and the cup last night. I ended up scavenging three new ones from a new DA axle I had (lifetime warranty, it'll be new again tomorrow), and repacking it. They went into the cup, but not as easily as the correct ones would have. I'm going to replace the whole axle, I think that's the vibration problem.

Anyway, I more or less have a running CRX again, thanks to Scott for taking his weekend to come out here and help me!