The "Radiator Leak" Build/Rebuild
Just as the title says, this thing started with a radiator leak. A minor leak at that. Went down to performance radiator and bought a new one. Went to put it on and by the end of the day my cruiser looked like this:
I decided I didnt like not knowing what was going on under the hood, Power steering fluid was everywhere and im obsessive compulsive/anal retentive. This led to a desmog, 5 bottles of simple green, the last 6 months of my disposable income, and a lot of beer (IPA
). I got inspiration from JDhall3's build.
I had never done anything like this before. But everything looked simple enough to figure out, especially when i got all the smog crap removed. I had my FSMs and Mud so i went to town.
So this is what ive done:
-New OEM: vcv, any and every gasket, power steering pump, heater valve and every single heater hose, Fan Clutch.
-Ceramic coated (Jet Hot) Valve Cover, firewall heat shield, intake manifold, all coolant hard lines, and the thermostat cover.
-Powder Coated every damn little bracket/pulley in the engine bay.
-Brand new bolts anywhere i could get to them (All OEM on the block)
-Degreased the whole damn engine and painted it. Low gloss up top, High Gloss on oil pan.
-Desmog with a weber 38 (w/ MAF one piece manifold adapter), fluid heat riser, JimC Dizzy Recurve, and some downey ceramic coated headers. (on the way)
-All wire split loom was replaced with high heat split loom
-New Steering Shaft U Joints (both)
-Zero Rust w/ crystal coat the whole front frame.
-Stainless Fuel lines, New Fuel Filter (OEM)
-Thermotec heat shield on powersteering hoses- they are close to the headers.
-Rear Heater Delete
- Thermotec adhesive backed heat shield on ALL exhaust shields
This has taken me close to 4 months to do. Between balancing work (im a navy pilot so its decently hectic), the wife (who cant wait for this to be over), and this rebuild Ive been busy. I just cant wait to stop driving the damn honda and get this baby back on the road. I will keep the pics coming, and I will have plenty of questions for you guys as well
Just as the title says, this thing started with a radiator leak. A minor leak at that. Went down to performance radiator and bought a new one. Went to put it on and by the end of the day my cruiser looked like this:
I decided I didnt like not knowing what was going on under the hood, Power steering fluid was everywhere and im obsessive compulsive/anal retentive. This led to a desmog, 5 bottles of simple green, the last 6 months of my disposable income, and a lot of beer (IPA
). I got inspiration from JDhall3's build. I had never done anything like this before. But everything looked simple enough to figure out, especially when i got all the smog crap removed. I had my FSMs and Mud so i went to town.
So this is what ive done:
-New OEM: vcv, any and every gasket, power steering pump, heater valve and every single heater hose, Fan Clutch.
-Ceramic coated (Jet Hot) Valve Cover, firewall heat shield, intake manifold, all coolant hard lines, and the thermostat cover.
-Powder Coated every damn little bracket/pulley in the engine bay.
-Brand new bolts anywhere i could get to them (All OEM on the block)
-Degreased the whole damn engine and painted it. Low gloss up top, High Gloss on oil pan.
-Desmog with a weber 38 (w/ MAF one piece manifold adapter), fluid heat riser, JimC Dizzy Recurve, and some downey ceramic coated headers. (on the way)
-All wire split loom was replaced with high heat split loom
-New Steering Shaft U Joints (both)
-Zero Rust w/ crystal coat the whole front frame.
-Stainless Fuel lines, New Fuel Filter (OEM)
-Thermotec heat shield on powersteering hoses- they are close to the headers.
-Rear Heater Delete
- Thermotec adhesive backed heat shield on ALL exhaust shields
This has taken me close to 4 months to do. Between balancing work (im a navy pilot so its decently hectic), the wife (who cant wait for this to be over), and this rebuild Ive been busy. I just cant wait to stop driving the damn honda and get this baby back on the road. I will keep the pics coming, and I will have plenty of questions for you guys as well
Last edited:
