I am shopping around for some brand sockets. When I worked on some parts
of the car before, I never paid close attention if the bolts and the nuts are inch
or mm, and I just grabbed the best fit one. Are all the bolts and nuts Metric
or English or both depending on where they are located? I checked my VIN,
and it is 1H........ so should be made in Ohio or CA?

Greatly Appreciate if anyone could give me some clue. To be on the safe side
of course it is better to have both systems handy, but try to save some bucks
for now. It all are in mm, then I am gonna go and have the mm socket sets.

Thanks!

 

Everything I have done on my car is metric with the exception of the battery connectors, but they are not OEM.

The most important thing is a 10mm and 12mm of all different kinds there are (wrenches, deep socket, short socket, etc...) You will need these to do almost anything. I really like the Gearwrenches, they are sweet and my favorite tool. I got them on the day after Thanksgiving sale for cheap, they are usually pretty expensive but they save SO much time and will fit into tight places you can't get sockets, air ratchets, etc. They will also double as open-end wrenches.

 

Most are metric, but I have found a few SAE and maybe that is because our Honda was made in Ohio. The IH vehicles are made in Ohio. I think the IJ are made in Japan.

A few SAE and metric tools are identical or close enough to work on the other. Sorry, I don't have them memorized, but I prefer to use the right one.

You will need the socket or wrench for the oil drain plug. It is either a 16 or 17 MM.

 

Actually, 1HG is the manufacturer code for Honda Motor of America, most cars beginning with J are made in Japan.

Here is a breakdown of VIN:

1HG CB7 5 5 1 M A 1 00001 (pretty close to my car)

1st 3 digits: Manufacturer 1HG (Honda America) JHM (Honda Japan) and others
Next 3 digits: Chassis code, engine....ex, a 2.2L like mine is CB7
Next Digit: Doors and transmission (5=5-speed manual sedan, 6=automatic sedan)
Next Digit: Vehicle grade (DX, LX, EX, etc) the VIN above is an LX
Next Digit: Fixed code (I don't know what that is, I think it is the check digit)
Next Digit: Auxiliary # (ditto)
Next Digit: Factory code (where is was made, but I don't know what the codes match to)
Next Digit: Year (1=1991)
Last 5 Digits: Serial number/build number

Sorry I don't have the complete breakdown, this is what was in the service manual for my 1991. Somewhere we should find a listing of all the codes for factories and such.

 

Thanks a lot for your input, guys! I will go for MM's for now and make use of my old
cheap inch sockets. I checked the gearwrenches in the store, yes, they are expensive!
Now the only thing I am expecting is Thanksgiving!

Again, thank you for your information!

 

every single bolts and nut that comes on a honda that i am aware of has been Metric......I would not advice to just grab any socket that fits the nut or bolt or you definatelly strip the head and a job that would normally take 15 minutes will in turn take hours

Go to SEARS and buy a craftman set,

sockets, 6 point and 12 point .. use the 6 point as much as possible they will grip the nuts and bolts better and buy impact sockets they last a lot longer
wrenches, open end , box end and combination wrenches

the basic metric set you need should have 8,10,12,14,17,19, mm ,, a 32 or 36 mm depending on year of car and if you ever plan on removing the axle nut

Now if you got extra money but SNAP-ON or MATCO

 

Thanks! Deserthonda, got a Craftman socket set at SEARS today. Needless to
say, high end product! each piece looks like hand-made, and makes all my old
cheap socket sets (including ratchet which was broken when I was removing the
Dist. Cap!) metal toys .

Thanks again!