Honda Car Forum

Tegger wrote:

> Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in
> news:lOoxj.673656$kj1.549750@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
>
>>
>>Tegger wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>I have another timing belt change coming up this spring. All the
>>>seals are getting replaced again, just in case.
>>>
>>>Today's mileage: 299,406! Getting closer!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>That's quite an acomplishment for living in the rust belt...
>>
>>JT
>>
>
>
>
>
>
> Keeping the /body/ alive is the real accomplishment!
>
>


I remember in the late 1960's when I was doing film work in the Marshall
Islands, cars would last anywhere from one to three years because of
rust. The worst were datsuns where the exhaust would fall off in three
months, the body would be virtually unusable after nine to ten months.

The trucks would last a little longer due to them having a frame. On
Majuro, the high school shop teacher totally removed the body/bed off
the frame and built a big plywood box with large open air portholes. He
made it last for about four or five years and was known as the island's
"plywood king."

JT

Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in
news:_vIxj.678736$kj1.183340@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:

>
>
> Tegger wrote:
>
>> Keeping the /body/ alive is the real accomplishment!
>>
>>
>
>
> I remember in the late 1960's when I was doing film work in the
> Marshall Islands, cars would last anywhere from one to three years
> because of rust. The worst were datsuns where the exhaust would fall
> off in three months, the body would be virtually unusable after nine
> to ten months.



That's the sea air, obviously.

We had similar things happen up here, but that took eight-ten years or so.
Japanese cars back then (and Fiats!) were terrible for rust. It was not
uncommon for struts to poke through the strut towers and dent the hoods.

Speaking of sea air... If you're ever at Redondo Beach near LA, have a look
at some of the chain-link fencing surrounding the restrooms on the beach.
The side of the posts facing the ocean (windward side) are corroded to
nothing. The side of the posts away from the ocean (leeward side) still
have zinc on them. Very dramatic.



--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

On Feb 28, 8:03 pm, Tegger <teg...@tegger.c0m> wrote:
snip
> It was not
> uncommon for struts to poke through the strut towers and dent the hoods.
>
> snip

this was common to early-to-mid 1970s Hondas, too. I'm pretty sure the
struts were attached directly to the fenders. corrosion weakened the
fenders and the struts would pop thru. I remember helping a buddy
replace his fenders because his car was not included in a recall. I
think we added a piece to help reinforce the structure beneath the
engine. flimsy doesn't come close to describing those cars. got good
mpg, though.

Tegger wrote:

> Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in
> news:_vIxj.678736$kj1.183340@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
>
>>
>>Tegger wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Keeping the /body/ alive is the real accomplishment!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>I remember in the late 1960's when I was doing film work in the
>>Marshall Islands, cars would last anywhere from one to three years
>>because of rust. The worst were datsuns where the exhaust would fall
>>off in three months, the body would be virtually unusable after nine
>>to ten months.
>
>
>
>
> That's the sea air, obviously.
>
> We had similar things happen up here, but that took eight-ten years or so.
> Japanese cars back then (and Fiats!) were terrible for rust. It was not
> uncommon for struts to poke through the strut towers and dent the hoods.
>
> Speaking of sea air... If you're ever at Redondo Beach near LA, have a look
> at some of the chain-link fencing surrounding the restrooms on the beach.
> The side of the posts facing the ocean (windward side) are corroded to
> nothing. The side of the posts away from the ocean (leeward side) still
> have zinc on them. Very dramatic.
>



I try to avoid California, too many crazies out there. That's where all
the nutty ideas originate.

I have problem enought trying to remain sane here...

<G>

JT

ACAR wrote:

> On Feb 28, 8:03 pm, Tegger <teg...@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> snip
>
>>It was not
>>uncommon for struts to poke through the strut towers and dent the hoods.
>>
>>snip
>
>
> this was common to early-to-mid 1970s Hondas, too. I'm pretty sure the
> struts were attached directly to the fenders. corrosion weakened the
> fenders and the struts would pop thru. I remember helping a buddy
> replace his fenders because his car was not included in a recall. I
> think we added a piece to help reinforce the structure beneath the
> engine. flimsy doesn't come close to describing those cars. got good
> mpg, though.
>


Actually, the strut towers were pretty rugged. But the engine cross
member could rot out. There was a recall for them as well as the fenders.

Later, the Gen 2 Civics (and probably other models) added a plastic
wheel well that protected the rear part of the fender that commonly
rotted away.

That's why I love old cars here in Central Texas. Old bolts 'n nuts turn
just as easy today as when they were put on the car during manufacture.

JT