Well I didn't think I would get another nova but here I am with another one that I was hoping just needed a clutch and I could then have some fun with. However that's was not the case as on the way home I gave it some beans and no clutch slip ??? Once I got 5 minuets away from my workshop I gave it a blast from set of lights, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and no clutch slip, I was thinking this is to good to be true. Got back to the workshop done a few checks over it and all seamed ok. I could see it was berating heavy so I checked oil and water and was all ok. I then went out for a drive to find some mates and show them my new toy. I then noticed is started smoking but didn't think anything of it. Gave my mate a race in his Astra Vxr and was even up to end of 3rd and he then started pulling away. We then pulled over had a chat and now the nova was smoking really bad, loads of white smoke! I new this was going to be head gasket. Drove it back to my workshop put it away and went home.
I've now had it for 3 weeks and I've striped hole front end off the car to find front panel not welded to the car and cracked, rust hidden behind lots of expanding foam. So I'm now re-building the front end of the car. I'm fixing all the rust strenthing and stich welding the whole front end, cutting out front panel (well what's left of it) and welding in 50x50 box section, fitting new wings, bonnet, grill, front bumper, changing wheels, loads of paint work and then freshen then engine up with new gaskets and some paint before it goes back in.
Pics to follow shortly.....