More stuff done! My first go at adjusting a TPS, went pretty well. Only got it to 0.47 volts, but I´m happy with that! Was over 4.5 at WOT, so..
Filled the engine up with oil and some sort of remedy to clean the engine - the engine was pretty clean when I opened it, so I didn´t expect much to come out of it. However, the additive smelled like ripe ass when I poured it out after running the car for the recommended 10 minutes, so I´m assuming it works.
Slapped the driveshafts in, bolted up the suspension, hooked up gearlinkage and discovered that you CAN use the EK9 cat when you install a B18! Whoo!
Tried to bleed the clutch with a vacuum pump, but only managed to suck all the fluid straight through the system. Got the clutch to the point where it was gripping 0.5cm off the floor, but luckily it bled itself during nighttime. Gravity FTW.
Then the real fun began. Was ready to fire the engine up, but as I was adding coolant, I noticed water trickling down on the floor. A leak. It wasn´t easy to find, but I localized it at the hoses that connect to the thermostat housing. The hoses were a bit too big for the B18 housing. Got some serious clamps on there, and there STILL was a leak. Tried to tighten all the bolts again, in case there was some leak in a join. Still leaking.
Pretty desperate at 1am, I ripped off the thermostat housing, and found that the O-ring was missing(!). I seriously doubt this engine has been running in this state.
Must have a chat with vtec performance about this. Fortunately I now have two spare engines, one high-comp b16 and the one i ripped out. So i managed to replace the o-ring and assemble it all again, no leaks at all.
Started the car, adjusted the ignition, fixed an IAT sensor problem and let it run 10 minutes to let the engine cleaner do its thing. Changed oil and filter, and put on a new bolt and washer.
Couple of minor things left to do, make some kind of bracket for the airbox and such. But had a 200 mile trip with the car today, and it´s running great! Great power, and it feels so much happier at revs than the old B16.