1987 civic wagon problems

[snowdog]

Hi everyone--

I have the option of buying a 1987 civic wagon (4wd) for about 150-200 bucks because it has a bad head gasket (or at least that's what me and my auto-shop teacher determined with a block test). It runs pretty well but overheats if not driven carefully. It also leaks coolant pretty badly. I'll list what I've done/what I know:

-1987 Honda Civic Wagon 4WD
-1.5 L water cooled OHC engine
-5sp manual transmission
-bad head gasket, according to block test
-coolant leak
-no water in oil
-no oil leaks that I can find
(this probably means the head is not cracked, right?)
-i haven't checked the thermometer
-the fan doesn't seem to work (possibly bad temp sensor from what I can find in this forum). I haven't connected the fan wires to check whether the fan is good yet.

I am considering taking the car even though it has all of these problems b/c it costs so little, and the rest of the car (body, transmission, interior, clutch, etc.) is in quite good condition, and the car has only 125,000 miles. I am a student and dont have much money, but I have tools and can take the head off, replace the gasket, and bring the head to a machine shop to have it inspected for cracks.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether it's worth paying anything for this car? Also, how hard a job is it to take the head off of this civic? I've never taken the head off of an OHC or DOHC engine before.
Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

[cvcc_wagon]

it does not sound like the head gasket is leaking, if it was you would have water in your oil and oil in your water. you would also be losing cooling via the cylinder and therefor you would not see any leaks, also, if it was badly blown you would have a huge cloud of steam whenever you started the engine.

a cracked head will not always produce an oil leak, usually a cracked head will leak coolant thru the water jacket.

for the overheating i would be looking other places like the thermostat, rad, and water pump, a leaking head gasket will cause a car to overheat but i just don't see the tell-tail symptoms like water in the oil

[87civicfranky]

out of the question... how do you lower an 87 civic from the front... they say its the nuts under the cotrol arm but WHAT THE HELL DO THEY LOOK LIKE and WERE THE HELL ARE THEY!!!!!

[87civicfranky]

out of the question... how do you lower an 87 civic from the front... they say its the nuts under the cotrol arm but WHAT THE HELL DO THEY LOOK LIKE and WERE THE HELL ARE THEY!!!!! OOO.. AND LOOK TWICE WHEN YOU BUY THE HONDA SNOW DOG.... fix up a dead beat car takes a big pocket.... dont get scared... if you want it ..then.. go for it..

[87civicfranky]

ooops!!! my finger slipped!! my bad.

[cvcc_wagon]

Originally Posted by 87civicfranky

out of the question... how do you lower an 87 civic from the front... they say its the nuts under the cotrol arm but WHAT THE HELL DO THEY LOOK LIKE and WERE THE HELL ARE THEY!!!!! OOO.. AND LOOK TWICE WHEN YOU BUY THE HONDA SNOW DOG.... fix up a dead beat car takes a big pocket.... dont get scared... if you want it ..then.. go for it..

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=199192

there is lowering info in this thread, it's the rally long post. thats all i can provide for you

[lxndr]

Originally Posted by 87civicfranky

out of the question... how do you lower an 87 civic from the front... they say its the nuts under the cotrol arm but WHAT THE HELL DO THEY LOOK LIKE and WERE THE HELL ARE THEY!!!!!

OK! OK! calm down! I'll tell you where the nuts are...

They're under the car.








Actually, check the thread "lowering a 87 crx with stock suspension", I gave you some info there.

[87civicfranky]

thanks alot guys!!