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LowFreq

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Hey all, this is my first time posting here. I just picked up a '91 civic dx from a girl I work with as a project car and a learning experience for $300. It needs a bunch of body work, and a muffler, but as far as I knew, that was it. Well, I picked it up yesterday, and changed out the plugs and wires for lack of anything better to do. Spark plugs were COVERED in oil. I'm talking dripping. I'm not sure if this has been covered before, since the search filters out the word 'oil', but I'm wondering what my best bet is right now. A guy at one of the parts stores nearby told me to bring it in to a shop for a compression test, is there anything else I should look out for, or anything I can look in on myself before I can get it to a shop?
I attached a few pics of the exterior, but I haven't gotten to getting the other shots off of the camera.
 

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The Oil On The Spark Plugs Most Likely

Came Through The Spark Plug Tube Gaskets

That Happens When They Are Old

Buy A New Complete Valve Cover Gasket Set With The Spark Plug Tube

Gasket, Ghange That, Problem Solved "d"

PS I KNOW SOMEONE THAT WILL BUY THAT FOR $500 IN MASS LET ME KNOW
 
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@eg6sir- It's mostly a learning experience. I wanted a project, etc. After I take care of the oil, the poor thing needs a muffler, since the original fell off like a week before I bought it. I need to do some junk yard surfing for that right fender, and I might be able to knock out the other dings by hand for the most part. looking it over I didn't see any rust, and aside from the oil, the engine looks/sounds good. I was planning on redoing the exhaust and repainting it. The ideas are flying by me right now, I just got the car yesterday, and I lack the know-how currently to say exactly what I'll do. I'd really just like a quick, fun to drive little car, and this seemed like a good start. I'm open to suggestions, naturally.
@dbone_vtec- Thanks for the advice. Assuming I pick up a manual (And which one would help me best?) is this something a novice can accomplish easily, and are there any particular tools I'd need?
As for selling it, I just moved from CT to Western KY, so I'm a bit far from Mass.
 
Does anyone know any good online resources for information, or sites that sell parts, etc? I'm not having much luck here in town it seems.
 
all you need for the valve cover gasket set is a 10mm socket extension

and rachet 10-15 mins. Dont over tighten, the studs will snap

"D":thumbsup:
 
all you need for the valve cover gasket set is a 10mm socket extension

and rachet 10-15 mins. Dont over tighten, the studs will snap

"D":thumbsup:
Thanks again. For some reason I was thinking head gasket, lol. I got really worried when I saw all of that oil. Any suggestions on what I should do with that exhaust? I've got to replace the muffler as it is, but I don't want to spend money on stock if I plan on replacing the entire thing. would it be alright to buy my muffler now at a wider diameter with an adapter piece for it to fit the stock pipe, or should I just bring it to a muffler shop and see what they say?
 
Go To A Exaust Shop

2" Pipe From Cat Back

Bring Any Muffler You Want With You Or Buy A Stock Lookin One

From Them

Everything Should Be Less Than $200
 
Go To A Exaust Shop

2" Pipe From Cat Back

Bring Any Muffler You Want With You Or Buy A Stock Lookin One

From Them

Everything Should Be Less Than $200
That's exactly the information I needed. Whew, I was afraid it was going to be a lot more expensive than that.
 
I got a quote from a shop in town that's been suggested to me, he said $50 to run the 2" pipe from the cat back. Now I've just got to figure out what I'm doing for a muffler.
 
welcome to the forum and the greatness of owning a old skool civic...

i myself own a 86 hatchback and a 4door in my backyard being pulled apart :shiny:

lol i had the same muffler problem just before i got mine ( i got the shits and gave it a lil kick and it just fell off)

maybe change the oil (if it hasnt for a while)
a tune up may be usefull....

so what plans you got for this baby? Something sweet i hope

(im getting clutch replaced tomorrow hopefully.....)
 
haha oh jeez. Right now I think it's calling for some body work and a paint job, tbh. Poor thing looks rough.

who cares about looking good if you can blow they're doors off?

i'd take an ugly as ass 13 second car over a good looking 15 second car.
 
welcome to the forum and the greatness of owning a old skool civic...

i myself own a 86 hatchback and a 4door in my backyard being pulled apart :shiny:

lol i had the same muffler problem just before i got mine ( i got the shits and gave it a lil kick and it just fell off)

maybe change the oil (if it hasnt for a while)
a tune up may be usefull....

so what plans you got for this baby? Something sweet i hope

(im getting clutch replaced tomorrow hopefully.....)
I'm not entirely sure, as I said, it's as much a learning experience as a project. Right now, I'm working on getting the exhaust replaced, as well as fixing that oil problem. I get paid Tuesday, so we'll see. As it stands, it's got no stereo, or speakers either, so that's also on the to-do list, but nothing crazy there. I'm open to suggestions about mufflers and the like, the guy at the shop wasn't too helpful there.
 
Another shop just quoted me $99.90 to do the work and throw on a 'Turbo Tube' muffler, but I don't seem to be able to find much info on them. Has anyone had any experience with this brand, or should I see what else they can do for me?
 
I'm not entirely sure, as I said, it's as much a learning experience as a project. As it stands, it's got no stereo, or speakers either, so that's also on the to-do list

welcome to the learning and stereo less/speaker less club...ur membership will come in a week:huh: LOL
 
Yeah she was like "Oh by the way, the passenger door speaker works." Uh, yeah? 'Well, it's the only one you have, so I just thought you should know..."
 
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