What did you do to your non-G Body project today [2024 edition]

I've been hiding my new non-G body project, but it's finally road-worthy so here's an introduction. It's a 1997 Honda Accord EX. 2.2L VTEC engine, automatic. Long story short, it ran when parked in 2016, sat (indoors), wouldn't run when they went to get it started this summer, the owner had no interest in spending money to get it running, so I made a lowball offer on it and they accepted on the condition I had to tow it away ASAP.

It looks like it has a Maaco paint job as it was originally green, and all the jambs are still green. There's a lot of small dings on it, but it is mostly rust free except for a couple small bubbles in the usual Honda spots at the rear wheel arches. It looks good from 10 feet though.

I got it running (was just a bad ignition module), removed the trashy aftermarket wheels and limo tint, put new brakes and rotors on it, replaced a CV axle, did some tune up items, put four new tires on it ($47 Walmart Black Friday Specials!), got some pieces that were missing as well as a stock radio at the junkyard, and got it inspected.



It runs and drives well. It has a transmission leak that is bigger than what I'm comfortable with, so I'm gonna need to look at that, and it probably needs an alignment, but I've got a good, reliable fuel-saver to run around in for very little money and time invested.

I think the water temp at the car wash might be to high.....

RICKDIZZLE said:

Since I made the last full custom RC Cutlass that ended up a shelf/case queen, decided to build another as a replica of my actual Cutlass that I can drive around.. Spent about 5 hours cutting out the body today and getting it ready for paint. I got my paint already, but want to shoot it on a nice warm day...hopefully get the white down soon.
View attachment 248410
View attachment 248411
View attachment 248412

Click to expand...

So been working on this in the little spare time I have. Since I last posted this, I got the body almost done. Shot my white, masked and sprayed my 1/4 top. Did the pinstripe and got the light decals on and then got the trim work all about done. Also detailed and put the euro grills in. Working on potential side mirrors and bumper guards. Depening on how they turn out, will determine if those go on. I have a few small touch ups to do...but overall it looks DANG close to my real Cutlass which was my goal. Not nearly as crazy as my last full show RC build. But wanted a good representation of my car but smaller. I know the RC body has rockers molded into it, but my car doesn't have them, thus I will not be doing bright work on them on the RC. Working on doing the interior now and have the chassis about 75% done.
Here is the body thus far. And will post more on this when it's closer to being done.

Temps are on a real roller coaster ride this week. Highs in the 50s, then drop down into the 20s for higjs and back up into the 50s.

It's my inclement weather vehicle, when I have a choice. As fun as the Regal is to drive in snow, I didn't do all that rust repair for nothing. Plus if I'm gonna be rear ended by some idiot in bald summer tires, I'd rather it be in the k1500.

MrSony said:

It's my inclement weather vehicle, when I have a choice. As fun as the Regal is to drive in snow, I didn't do all that rust repair for nothing. Plus if I'm gonna be rear ended by some idiot in bald summer tires, I'd rather it be in the k1500.
View attachment 249729

Click to expand...

Put the receiver on the back to really make their day impactful

Ugly1 said:

Put the receiver on the back to really make their day impactful

Click to expand...

Good way to bend your frame.

Ugly1 said:

Put the receiver on the back to really make their day impactful

Click to expand...

It's rusted in place lol

MrSony said:

It's rusted in place lol

Click to expand...

Watched a SUV at work try and stuff themselves into a spot. The sound of the “crunch” said it was a bad idea and was going to be expensive. As they hit that receiver of the truck in the front spot.

Found and fixed the ATF leak on my cheap Accord. Trans cooler line was leaking where the rubber line met the fitting. Someone must've removed the radiator at some point and replaced all the clamps with worm clamps, which I hate.

I replaced the one small section of hose and replaced two of the worm clamps with fuel injection-type clamps which are probably slightly better. I might revisit this later with some OEM-type constant tension clamps but for now it's not leaking.

Now that it isn't leaking I figured I can change the ATF. I pulled the plug to let it drain. Some metal on the magnet, but no chunks. Fluid smells fine. I got 9 quarts of Idemitsu Type H fluid which is spec'd for Honda Z1 ATF. It'll be enough to do 3 drain and fills which should fully flush the fluid.