19 years of sitting- prep for start question

[Rob Channell]

I understand you wanting to pay back your brother for all he did for you in years past. It is admirable of you to come to him to help when he needs it. You both sound like good men.

All good answers so far technically. I love the level of experience and knowledge on this forum. That said, let me offer up another solution that I think is also not a bad choice. Gather all the pieces, advertise with lots of pictures on the Honda enthusiast forums (Honda Tech ?) online and locally on Facebook Marketplace. Sell it to an enthusiast for less than you could get if it was running, but maybe a little more than you could get off Craigslist.

Spend the time you would have spent fixing the car instead doing anything with your brother that he is able to do. Fix dinner for him, watch a movie or sports event, get out for short trips or even just short walks when he can. Laugh a lot. Cry a little. Reminisce often. Leave nothing unsaid. He obviously meant a lot to you earlier in your life and you meant a lot to him to take you along on all the adventures. Make sure each of you knows it and remembers. And all it would really cost you is a few hundred dollars of lost profit....great investment in my book.

Good luck whatever your path and I hope you guys get to to have some good times together either way.

Just another guy getting older and realizing how truly short life is....
Rob

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

nope

YEP.

The first 4WS system used on the Prelude was introduced on the 3rd generation Prelude and was a mechanical system.

Later 4WS systems used by various manufacturers were electronic.

Your video is about one of the later systems.

https://autoweek.com/article/car-life/four-wheel-steering-demystified

[stevej37]

from your link....
Honda’s second-generation 4WS, launched on the next-gen Prelude in September 1991, was new, using computer controls and an electric motor rather than a steering shaft and planetary gearbox. This system, intended to address the mechanical layout’s limitation, was similar to more recent 4WS systems, although newer systems have greater integration with other chassis electronics.

Probably the year of the one I drove. I remember asking the salesman about the tech bits.

[javadog]

This car has the earlier system...

[stevej37]

A couple pics of my current Prelude

[stevej37]

waiting for spring!

[billybek]

Steve, maybe that Prelude in your garage needs a mate?
Looks like you have plenty of (really nice garage) space for another!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Rob Channell

All good answers so far technically. I love the level of experience and knowledge on this forum. That said, let me offer up another solution that I think is also not a bad choice. Gather all the pieces, advertise with lots of pictures on the Honda enthusiast forums (Honda Tech ?) online and locally on Facebook Marketplace. Sell it to an enthusiast for less than you could get if it was running, but maybe a little more than you could get off Craigslist.

Spend the time you would have spent fixing the car instead doing anything with your brother that he is able to do.
Rob

I am not the OP responding, just putting myself in his place.

I get what you are saying Rob, and it would be the advice I give anyone else.
BUT
My perspective (or maybe a confession):
I know how to do things. What I don't know is how to relate to people - even people I love. Fixing up the car would be something I could do and feel like I was making a difference. Just spending time with my brother, as much as I love him, would be difficult for me - it's something I have no idea how to do - and I would not feel like I was being helpful.
Edit:
So MrsWD says you don't have to be helpful, you just have to be there. ??? That's a totally alien concept to me.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by billybek

Steve, maybe that Prelude in your garage needs a mate?
Looks like you have plenty of (really nice garage) space for another!

Thanks, but no..looking to downsize instead. Hoping to sell one of the P cars this spring.

[Skip Newsom]

I do love this forum, amazing advice, caring humans, plus they put up with my weird photos and sense of humor without banning me.
Yet.

Rob, WD, you both hit the nail on the head.
Working on projects at his place helps me feel like I'm doing something to help him with the added benefit of being able to stop and sit down with him to discuss progress, problems and such.
We've been spending time talking and laughing about predicaments we put ourselves in over the years as I uncover layers of stuff long buried, kites, inflatable boats, RC cars, etc etc.

I'm fortunate to have spent at least one 7-9 day backpacking trip with him every year for 8 years in the North Cascades, then a week at the beach a few times till things changed with marriage, an offspring all that fun stuff.

His place is right off my route to the Y gym so it's easy to stop and see him at least 3X a week. The importance of time spent with people you love is clear to me.

Thank you for the great lists and steps. I'll keep posting if allowed.

Oh, one more project there too.
1983 Honda VFR750F Interceptor that's also been sitting for decades.
Time well spent.



I'll be a caretaker for it, get it running and exercise it for the eventual hand off to my Nephew

[Scott Douglas]

I wouldn't crank it without having a plug or plugs attached to the ignition system. I've read on the CR-V forum that doing that can fry the ignition system. Don't know if it applies to the Prelude or not.
I was helping my brother just this past weekend. I know of what you speak when it comes to brothers.

That VFR is uber cool. '83 is the year to have IMO.

[95avblm3]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

I'd pop off the timing belt cover and make sure the engine spins before getting into it too far. Assuming its free replace the timing belt then continue with new fuel, good plugs and a battery.

I love those cars, good luck

This is the only mention I saw of the timing belt... I agree. Pull the cover and inspect the timing belt. It will most certainly need to be replaced but you want to make sure that its not already broken or at a point of imminent failure. My first car was an '87 accord with the 8V 2-liter (and carbureted!). I'm not specifically familiar with the Prelude motor and I haven't had my accord since the late '90s but I am pretty sure it's an interference head. As long as the belt is not broken or doesn't have some nasty looking dry rot, it probably won't take much to get it up and going.

...the golden era of Honda's in my opinion

[javadog]

I also mentioned the timing belt, but I wouldn’t even attempt to turn the motor over with the old belt on it.

[Skip Newsom]

Thanks for that suggestion!
$37 for a new timing belt and another $30 for gaskets is pretty cheap insurance.

With my brothers OK I may hang on to the car for a while, it will get better mileage than my Ram pickup and be more fun to drive to boot.

He tells me it's always been his favorite car to drive, I'd bet he and I can pile up some more miles in it... we did get out together for drives at least a couple times a month to old favorite locations or for a meal until mid December when he took a bad turn breathing wise.

Now it's mostly trips to the Dr, we have 2 this week in fact.
It will still be fun in his old Prelude as long as he can get in and out of it.

[javadog]

When you do the timing belt, check the tensioner and water pump while you’re there.

[71T Targa]

I wish I had the time and knowledge to jump in and help. Unfortunately I'm lacking in both.

But if you do end up selling it, I have a 20 year old who could use a solid commuter car.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by Skip Newsom

Thanks for that suggestion!
$37 for a new timing belt and another $30 for gaskets is pretty cheap insurance.

With my brothers OK I may hang on to the car for a while, it will get better mileage than my Ram pickup and be more fun to drive to boot.

He tells me it's always been his favorite car to drive, I'd bet he and I can pile up some more miles in it... we did get out together for drives at least a couple times a month to old favorite locations or for a meal until mid December when he took a bad turn breathing wise.

Now it's mostly trips to the Dr, we have 2 this week in fact.
It will still be fun in his old Prelude as long as he can get in and out of it.

I bet your brother would be thrilled to see the car running again. Good for you for all you are doing. I wonder if someone with some skills in paint correction/detailing could help with the scratches?

[stevej37]

a great review of the 4WS Prelude.

[Skip Newsom]

Thank you guys for the suggestions, thoughts and review!

I have a timing belt, water pump and seal kit coming, also the drive belts, Haynes service manual, valve cover gasket and spark plugs on the way.

I found an Interstate "blem" battery for half normal price, charged it and put it in the car. When I turned the key all the gauges came to life, the electric windows work and best of all the headlight pods open and close accompanied by a cool dual electric motor sound!
So far, so good!

I tried to siphon fuel out with a 5' hose that has a cap and 2nd small hose to start gas flow without the delicious ancient fuel taste, that failed. Something blocks the hose from reaching the fuel (gauge reads half tank).
I think my best bet is to disconnect the incoming fuel line at the filter and jumper the fuel pump to drain it.

I did talk with my brother about what he wants to do with the car, he loves the idea of getting it roadworthy and getting out for some joy rides, so I'm all in!

[javadog]

Good for you, I think this will be good for both you and your brother.

Speaking of the fuel filter, you should probably replace it. Gas that old has a nasty habit of finding ways to obstruct small passages. As an example, last week I started a similar project on a 1986 Honda VF1000R that has been sitting for a long time, perhaps more than 20 years. The fuel tank was half-full, but even though I could blow air back into the tank through the lines, not a drop of fuel would flow the other direction.

Any rubber fuel lines will be hard as a rock and dangerous, although that can probably wait until you get the thing running.

There are a million Internet forms out there, when you get into this project in detail it will be worth your time to learn more about the specifics of each step that you take. No matter what you do, there’s always some guy that’s already done it and documented it for perpetuity on the Internet.

Good luck, and have fun.