My Love hate relationship with a 3rd gen prelude – part 2

Welcome back! If you missed part one, check it out here: “My Love hate relationship with a 3rd gen prelude

In 2015, I proudly owned my first-ever 3rd gen Prelude. Like any old car, it had its issues—water pump trouble, rust repair needs, and more than I initially bargained for.

3rd gen prelude

Taking the Plunge

I decided to roll up my sleeves and tackle this project. Step one: remove the engine. After a week of careful work, the engine was out, thanks to the help of an old oak tree.

You see, I once shared my experience pulling a ’93 Civic engine. But let me tell you, yanking a 3rd gen Prelude engine is a whole different ballgame. It’s a maze of cables, four engine mounts, and a unique intake manifold.

Dealing with the “Bastard B”

Finally, I managed to pull out what I fondly called the “Bastard B.” But this was just the beginning. I had grand plans, including painting the engine bay, tidying up the wiring, and giving it a facelift.

Cleaning Up the Engine Bay

With the engine out, I stripped the bay down to the basics to start my wire tuck and shaving project. There was a lot of gear to remove before I could even begin.

After stripping it down, I patched rust spots, sanded, primed, and painted it glossy black. Later, I changed my mind and went with a matte black finish for a sleeker look.

The Rusty Surprises

Ah, rust—every car enthusiast’s nemesis. If you’ve worked on old Canadian cars, you know the pain. My Prelude had its rust challenges, from the front shock bar to a decaying undercarriage. Welding repairs were off the table for some of these issues.

One Problem Leads to Another

Every time I tackled one problem, it seemed another would pop up. It was a never-ending cycle of discoveries and solutions.

Dealing with Winter

By late October, snow started falling, and I faced a dilemma. I had a disassembled car and a rotting shell. It was time to find a new Prelude body. In the midst of winter, I scoured online listings.

After months of searching, a Kijiji notification brought hope. An ’88 Prelude 4WS, nine hours away in another province, caught my eye. I messaged the seller, waited for a response, and finally heard back in the middle of the night. The car had potential, but it needed rust repairs and had sat idle for two years.

I made a deal to wait until spring. If the car was still available, it would be mine. True to my word, in spring 2016, that Prelude rolled into my life.

Stay tuned for the next chapter, where two years of ups and downs bring us to the present day. My love affair with a beloved Prelude continues, and there’s more to share!


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Do you have a project car or a ride you love to hate? Share your automotive tales in the comments below, fellow gearheads!




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