19 years of sitting- prep for start question

[Skip Newsom]

Made good progress yesterday plus I was at my brothers long enough to have lunch and dinner with him!

The crank pulley was not as bad as I feared, 50mm 1/2" drive crows foot socket, 18mm 1/2" drive impact type socket, several spays with liquid wrench over the last week and 2 18" breaker bars convinced it to loosen right up.

I replaced the water pump, tensioner roller, timing belt and reassembled up to the rocker cover. I'll put it back on after setting the valves and putting a few drops of oil on the cam lobes and bearings and reattaching the alternator, power steering pump and the cruise control appendage.

Still on the list is changing oil & filter, gas filter, a good rinse of the tank with fresh fuel, new plugs, rotor and cap, injectors, add antifreeze and see if she's in the mood to run again.

The job really is not that bad- my hands are just too big to fit in places they need to go at times... there's a lot of alternating between laying on the concrete and leaning over the engine compartment involved. That used to be easier a couple decades ago.

16 valves waiting to be monkeyed with.

[javadog]

I assume you have the old oil out already. I would dump at least one quart of the new oil directly on top of both cams. It will drain down into the sump anyway and I would definitely soak the cams completely in oil before you spin them over to do the valve adjustment. Fogging the cylinders with a little bit of oil wouldn’t hurt either.

[VincentVega]

good work

looks like its too late now but with the mount off, lifting or lowering the engine a little bit helps a bunch with access.

[Skip Newsom]

I haven't drained the old oil yet, but it just got bumped up on the list, pouring a qt over the cams makes sense.

I did drip about 15 drops of oil down each cylinder prior to turning it over by hand to TDC for the #1 piston so I could replace the timing belt and keep everything in proper positions.
She's going to smoke like mad at first start up. Planning to turn it over with the starter with the coil wire off once it's all buttoned back up to get oil circulating.

Lowering the engine was key to get the 50MM crow's foot socket on the pulley, a one inch drop made all the difference!

I appreciate the suggestions greatly!

[Seahawk]

What a cool thread. Looking forward to more updates.

Thanks, Skip.

[slow&rusty]

Looking forward to seeing or hearing that H22 come to life. I did a timing belt on my friend's car a few years ago and had to use a 3/4" impact on the crank pulley bolt. It was a challenge, but after I removed it, everything else was straightforward.

These are truly great cars, few people today realize that and sadly many have forgotten the great Prelude. I would go so far as to say they were status symbols back in the day.

If it were my brother's car, I would figure out a way to keep it, based on the sentimental value and the history to revive it.

I bet some fresh gas and a spritz of engine starter in the throttle body (Ether) and it will roar to life.

I saved a 1978 280Z that had been sitting in a forest in Colorado for over a decade and was pleasantly surprised how little work was required to get it running.

[stevej37]

Nice work!
What kind of condition was the old timing belt in?
Anything else in there that looked like it needed attention? leaks/seals?

[Skip Newsom]

The belt really didn't look that bad, it did hold the shape it had stayed in for so so long. I am happy a new one's in. The water pump needed replacing, the seal in a groove was really crushed and there way some extra thick goop in the lowest section of the pump housing.
There are a few oil leaks... if I do end up keeping it I'll address them later. Oil pan gasket leaks and it might have a rear main leak. I also need to test and assess the hydraulic clutch and brakes.

In my spare time I've brought his beautiful 83 Interceptor home, it sat 25 years- ALL the hydraulic systems on it were toast, I rebuilt the front master and calipers just so I could get it home safely. A 500 lb 2 wheeler with no brakes is not something I'd load and unload from my truck. Too many hills here.

I still don't have great photos of the body, plus it's still covered in dust.
A lot should "buff right out", there are several small dents I may be able to pull.

Here's the worst of it:

[KNS]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

These are truly great cars, few people today realize that and sadly many have forgotten the great Prelude. I would go so far as to say they were status symbols back in the day.

I loved my '89 Prelude, I agree they were great cars. I remember it being very well made with quality materials. They didn't seem to be thrown together like cars today. Before Acura came along the Prelude was really the top of the range in the Honda line up. One car I really wish I had back.

[Skip Newsom]

It's now back together with new belts, plugs, wires, rotor, cap, water pump and gas filter.

The exhaust valves were all pretty to very loose, all but 2 intakes were as well.
All better now.

Still to do- oil filter, fill with oil, antifreeze, install new fuel injectors, flush the tank one more time and fill with real unadulterated Nelson Petroleum provided pure gasoline.

Turn the key and wait for the smoke to clear.
In these parts we call that progress, slow... but progress!

[DonDavis]

Alls I'm saying is, you better set up a video of when you first start it. Want to see the smoke billowing out.

It'll be fun!

And we love pic/videos.

[Skip Newsom]

Finished my checklist, set up to video and only got a few rumbles of life, she wouldn't keep running. Took the battery down far enough to call it for today and charge it back up.

I shook out the old gas from the feed line when I had the fuel rail off... I'm betting it's still pulling old gas/varnish through the fuel lines.
Hoping once the fresh pure gas gets to those new injectors it will be a different story!

I'm doing everything possible to keep myself and brother free of any respiratory crud floating around. Always wash up on entry and keep 4-6' between us.

Social distancing is quite easy for me, I'd rather be off in the hills anyway.

Strange times.
My best buddy from HS still works out at the Boeing co, today he and his crew got sent home for 2 weeks paid time away to self quarantine since one crew member has a brother that visited from Boston last week and on returning home fell ill and was confirmed with CV.
I won't be seeing him unless it's outdoors and at a distance for a while.
I'm certain Boeing will cease ops shortly.

Take care of yourselves!

[Skip Newsom]

It's alive!
The magic was indeed to use the fuel pump to push through a couple quarts until the smell was much less hideous. Pump only runs 2 seconds at key on, had to cycle it a bit- good exercise for the new ignition cylinder.

Set up the gopro to catch first start, my camera placement seemed interesting in the moment and turned out crappy.
Two, count em, two 20" box fans cleared it quick. It did take some cranking but she started catching and at full throttle cleared her pistons.
Idle is rough but right at spec. Fires up first try and is very throttle responsive.
I think the clutch may be working and I still need to check the brakes over.
I may even vacuum out the rat poop from the floorboards.

One still, with smoke included



A not so good note...
I got it running a couple days back, been spending most of my time lately with Brother, he's loosing ground, I'm going to need the pros help sometime not so far away.

[DonDavis]

Excellent work, dear Sir. And I ain’t talking about just the car.

Everything you’re doing right now counts.

Press on. We’re here.

[HardDrive]

You are doing great work on many fronts sir.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Skip Newsom

The magic was...

The magic is you, Skip.

What a wonderful thread.

[stevej37]

Great job
I'll bet it brought a smile to your brother.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Fantastic job on the car! Sorry to hear your brother is loosing ground. Best to both of you.

[Skip Newsom]

Thank you for the kind words, thoughts and support.
That means a lot.

Since the sun will be out today and my Son is here we are heading up into the mountains with a kayak and a canoe to practice social distancing North Cascades style!

Look for picture on the "random photos you have taken" thread.
I'll be armed with at least 4 camera's with different capabilities.