Restoring a "barn" '91, need some friendly advice!

R

Ray.K

Registered Member
Joined
14 April 2010
Messages
49
Hi everyone! Warren advised me to post in the Canuck forum for some advice, heh.

My original post was in the prospective buyers/new owners section, which can be seen here:

http://nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135249

I currently live in Vancouver right now, but will be driving this baby back from Edmonton. I will be traveling to Edmonton probably in end of July/beginning of August, and am looking for some friendly advice!

I will be fixing it up 100% for sure this summer, and have decided to complete all the repairs IN Edmonton, and then DRIVE it out to Vancouver, BC.

I plan on flying to Edmonton, and will contact West End Acura, as I have heard so far from all the posts in this thread that it would be the best place to take/repair it.

So far, from what I gathered, I will have to:

1. Flush out all the fluids and maybe change out the gas tank, as fuel has been sitting in there for over 15 years.

2. Will have to deal with the timing belt and snap ring issue as mine is a '91.

3. Change the tires as they are really old.

4. Fix the E-brake, as it has been up for over 15 years as well.

BUT, one positive thing I can say though is, back in March 2011, I replaced the battery, and the car started!!!!!! I did this, because I wanted to see if I could drive it on to the tow truck bed instead of manually pushing it, and it did indeed start! The sound of the engine was amazing! I was so ecstatic just to hear the engine start and I let it idle for about 1 minute. I did not rev it though, but it sure sounded like symphony to my ears!!!!! Man, am I in love with Japanese-Super-Car reliability!

I guess, my main question to you all is, what time frame would you guys expect me to be leaving the car in the shop and to be waiting for ordered replacement parts?

I know this is a tough question, as only the mechanic would be able to tell me once he/she has seen the car, but I would like to plan my trip around the time required to fix up this baby, and have it safely driven home while the roads are good!

I also would like to thank Warren again for sending me that helpful PDF! I am also paying close attention to the "barn-find" thread by gas-motors, to maybe see what I need to do as well!
 
Hey nice to see you reviving this nsx back to life let us know how it goes :biggrin:

my question was with the car sitting for 15 years like you said wouldnt it have been better to just roll the car onto the tow truck instead of starting her up with all the old fluids and stuff that was in the car all that time??
 
Ray,

Send me the VIN Number, I can get our sponsoring Dealer to run it thru the system to see what recalls are outstanding on the car. You can get the dealer to perform them, when you take the car back to Vancouver.

If you may need the hose recall, then you don't have to pay for the coolant change and some of the hoses. This would be a start.

If you can send me pictures and all documentation, I can get in touch with Honda Canada and see if they want to do an article for Acura Expression Mag.

See NSXCC.ca web site for my contact info.

Bram
 
If it needs any obscure parts, it could take awhile. Id ship it to Vancouver or drop it off, stick around for a day while they figure out what it needs, but plan on possibly flying home and returning when its done.

Some parts take awhile to get from Japan (like 6 weeks).
 
BioBanker said:
If it needs any obscure parts, it could take awhile. Id ship it to Vancouver or drop it off, stick around for a day while they figure out what it needs, but plan on possibly flying home and returning when its done.

Some parts take awhile to get from Japan (like 6 weeks).
Click to expand...

+1

Some stuff they'll have, but some you'll wait for. Get it done and drive a reliable car - enjoy!

PS. This is a cool thread. Love barn finds.
 
Ray!
wow
this is exciting. I didn't know if you had given up on the car or shipped it to Vancouver, this last spring.

Please contact me once you are in town to work on this project. I would love to help out and see this time capsuled car!

Fluid Flush is a DIY, but if you are to get the timing belt done at the dealer, they can flush the coolant at that same time. Brake fluid is an easy DIY.
To verify the snap ring range, you will need the transmission serial number. I have not heard of a Canadian Car in the range, but you never know
The rest is simple stuff and some can be done over time.
And it starts! my buddy who is a mechanic told me to turn that car with no fuel and new oil three or four times for 10 seconds 30 minutes apart before actually starting and running. You are past that now. (put some new gas and oil in it ASAP)

You are right about the Japanese reliability! Every spring when I start up my '91, I am always amazed how quickly it catches and fires right up. The starter hardly turns. Then nothing needs to be fixed or worked on. It's like getting a new car every spring!

Larry Bastanza should be able to tell you exactly the parts required for the timing belt job. He is on this site as Larry Bastanza


Call me.
 
Last edited:
Hi there once again everyone!

Bram, just sent you the pm on the VIN#!

Want to thank everyone once again for replying to this thread!

I will mostly plan to fly out in August once I see what most likely needs to be done, and yes, leaving it there and flying back could be an option!

And to Warren, will definitely give you a call once the ball starts rolling on this baby!
 
azndc5 said:
Hey nice to see you reviving this nsx back to life let us know how it goes :biggrin:

my question was with the car sitting for 15 years like you said wouldnt it have been better to just roll the car onto the tow truck instead of starting her up with all the old fluids and stuff that was in the car all that time??
Click to expand...

I had to try lol, I am sorry!:biggrin: I just HAD to know lol, thats why I only left it on for a minute or so and did NOT rev on the gas!

warrenw said:
You are right about the Japanese reliability! Every spring when I start up my '91, I am always amazed how quickly it catches and fires right up. The starter hardly turns. Then nothing needs to be fixed or worked on. It's like getting a new car every spring!
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch Warren! Yeah, when the car turned (I think it was after the second turn, however) and started, I was having a crazy-car-wtf-lol moment!!
 
Last edited:
wow! milage on this car is unbelievable, what a find! .....

keep it in the barn... no driving, no upgrades no nothing... its near mint.
 
nikey22 said:
wow! milage on this car is unbelievable, what a find! .....

keep it in the barn... no driving, no upgrades no nothing... its near mint.
Click to expand...

You have to enjoy life lol, I NEED to drive this thing heh, not let it sit around :biggrin:
 
You know I want to be there and help.
I have a lift at my house as well, only 4 foot lift, but enough to change out
4 clutches...lol.
Call me
Trev
780-953-1744
 
BigYellowMan said:
My old car is in the range. Now you heard it. :smile:
Click to expand...

Mine is as well, but it had done 90k kloms before it had to be repaired....some of the cars out there will never reach that! :tongue:
 
Ok, so I am in Edmonton now, and will have to take part of/engage in family affairs before I can concentrate on the car. I will be calling West End Acura this Monday most likely, and will probably tow my car in and get an assessment!

My next question is, which would be the best way to tow my car to the west end, heh. (ie. which companies, etc.)
 
Last edited:
Ray.K said:
Ok, so I am in Edmonton now, and will have to take part of/engage in family affairs before I can concentrate on the car. I will be calling West End Acura this Monday most likely, and will probably tow my car in and get an assessment!

My next question is, which would be the best way to tow my car to the west end, heh. (ie. which companies, etc.)
Click to expand...
Ray,
I can't recommend a flat bed towing, as I have only used Kingsway, when I first had my car delivered, and I wasn't happy with the result.
I can tell you to ensure that they use the tow hook on the front of the car. There isn't a safe place to hook to the car except the tow hook. (too many cast aluminum pieces under the car!
PM sent.
 
Yeah - good point. Flatbedding you need to secure the far by the wheels. Don't let then crank down on the tow hooks. Someone did it that way and it bent the car. Wheels only!!!
 
if you use CAA, they will punch up the car make in their computers at their headquaters and will ONLY send a flat bed with a winch to tow the car. I agree the toe hooks are not meant for hauling the car, they are only to secure it down, the one MAIN hook at the front bumper is all you need. CAA will NOT send any other way to tow the car. :)
 
Ray.K said:
Ok, so I am in Edmonton now, and will have to take part of/engage in family affairs before I can concentrate on the car. I will be calling West End Acura this Monday most likely, and will probably tow my car in and get an assessment!

My next question is, which would be the best way to tow my car to the west end, heh. (ie. which companies, etc.)
Click to expand...

Ray, I asked around about flatbed towing:
Double L towing keeps coming up as a reliable, knowledgeable flatbed towing company,
Enzotowing.com 780 686 9680 is also recommended by some locals.

If you have an AMA membership, go with AMA as they have a great reputation.
 
I used AMA flat deck when I blew a sparkplug out out in the country.
The guy was very good and brought the unit onto the deck slowly and raised it as he went to not skid the front, then lowered it to get the rear wheels on.
I was all excited about the whole affair and he was just like so careful and knew exactly what to do.
He strapped the tires down for the hour trip back to Acura.

Trev
 
Update!

Hi guys, I typed out my response which was meant for the Canadian forum, but my brother posted it in the Prospective owners forum by accident! I will re-type my post here!

Once again, thanks for any help, it is greatly appreciated!!!

Original Post:

Hi again everyone!

Firstly, thank you all for your input and support, it's much appreciated!

I went to Westside Acura a couple of days ago and spoke with the NSX specialist and shop foreman Darren K. about the '91 NSX and he said he'd like to inspect it first before replacing anything. I got an estimate of the costs need to replace all the fluids and replace the timing belt.

Change engine oil and filter $123.98
Replace brake and clutch fluid $150.00
Replace transmission fluid $115.50
Replace coolant $200.00
Replace timing belt $1251.00 ($1125 after 10% an August discount)

The one that jumps out is the timing belt which is worth $150 from online retailers. Looking at the procedure in the service manual, it does look quite time-consuming though. Is the price justified?

They also punched in the VIN number and the seat belt buckle recall issue came up that hasn't yet been serviced. Darren said he would inspect it and replace IF necessary. He said it would take about 2-3 days to complete the work outlined above. Also he said that they frequently use Cliffstone towing and recommended their flatbed towing services. He didn't say whether they had experience with NSXs or if they use a tow hook on the front of the car (as recommended by a user in another post ) or not though.

I also popped by Southview Acura but their specialist, Aaron W. is currently away on vacation and will be back on Monday.

Thanks again for all your help!!
 

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