I have a 1990 Civic that needs a new clutch. How big of a job is it to replace it myself? My tools consist of a socket wrench, a few screwdrivers and a hammer?

 

well the job can be short in one day or long if youve never done he job...
best thing you can do is buy a manual for your car and read it. to replace the clutch hardest part IMO was removing the old axle shafts. everything else was relatively easy.
just be sure to grease any pivot points with some high temp grease to prevent any squiking.
everything else is just make sure to use the right tools and torque everything down properly to specs.

 

You will need large sockets and a long lever on the driver to work the big bolts that hold the motor mounts and those that hold the engine to the transmission. Impacts are nice for that. The typical 3/8 drive set won't be enough. It's also very helpful to have a way to lift the transmission and engine from above, or a couple of floor jacks and a good concrete floor.

 

dito. for the motor simply use a small jack and a 2x6 or 2x8 board between the jack and oil pan and only put LIGHT pressure on the pan just to keep the weight. you just want to hold it inplace, dont try to pick it up!
and then another jack or engine hoist and some tie down straps to hold the tranny while you slide it apart. which it could be tuff to seperate the 2. just be sure to get all the bolts and then try your hardest to seperate the two. sometimes you swear they are welded together.LOL

 

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. This will be my first clutch job so I was just curious what I was getting into. Thanks again.

 

Also before declaring the clutch to be dead, have you tried adjusting the cable? Civics before 1992 have adjustable clutch cables, the models 1992 and later are hydraulic and self-adjusting.

 

Yeah, it's been adjusted all the way out. I'm at the end of the line now.