My Little 1.2

[SharonSR]

Not sure if my thread was lost in the move over to VB4 but here it is:

As some of you know I've bought a new Nova.

I got a text from Benn yesterday while at work saying he'd seen a car I might like, along with a pic. He'd already taken my husband (Astra Dan) to have a look and he seemed to like it.
So we popped down there when I got home, by this point it was well after 7pm so no-one was around to ask for keys etc. But from the look of her she was just what I've been looking for for the last 2 years. Popped up there again today and had a word with the guy in the office. Turned out it actually belonged to his mechanic, but he manage to find the key so we could run it up and have a poke about,although by this stage it was pretty much sold, it was just a matter of price. No way was I paying the full £395, despite the new MoT. With a bit of bartering over the phone I got him down to £325. Tempcover.com to the rescue again and £13 later it was insured for 24 hrs. Smiling manically, I was behind the wheel of a Nova again! The engine is whisper quiet and pulls very well for a 1.2, thankfully it's 5 speed so is very usable on my daily commute. It's got 84k miles and a bit of history and not too much rust. So perfect for a few choice mode. I still have the seats, wheels and clocks from my old SR, and already have fitted smoked indicators and side repeaters.

Heres a few pics:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar003.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar007.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar012.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar008.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar016.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar010.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar023.jpg

Also found the surround on the driver's door lock missing:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar014.jpg

But had one in stock:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar015.jpg

[SharonSR]

A little update...

Friday (14-08-09)

First a trip to the local scrap yards to pick up a few little bits. Amazingly all three of our local favourite places had Novas in, so we gotquite a horde of spares:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar027.jpg

First up all the grab handles had been broken:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar028.jpg

Now they can be a bit of a pain to get out as you always loose the rivet plug in the roof linning but Dan had a plan to save and reuse them:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar039.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar037.jpg

Next up, a new grear gaiter, as the old one had a big hole in it:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar034.jpg

Took the stereo out as the previous owners had lost the front to it (shame as it looks OK, so if anyone has a front panel to a Panasonic CQ-C1313NW spare, get in touch!), but was very happy to find none of the wires had been cut:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar035.jpg

Last to go in was the boot tidy I still had from my old nova. Which is awesome.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar043.jpg

[SharonSR]

Saturday 15-08-09:

Whilst I was stuck in work, the boys got to work. I had told them they couldn't do too much without me; after all it's my car. :) So dan did changed the oil, fitted an under bonnet light and replaced the clutch cable, as the old one was a little tired to say the least:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8195.jpg

Then a big thank you to Benn who gave her a damn good clean:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8184.jpg

Hmmmm shiney:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8197.jpg

Even sorted the number plates that had gone a little clouded:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8190.jpg

Looking like new:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8191.jpg

[Tanya.]

Very nice little car :)

[NoVaBoOt26]

Great little motor

[binty2k8]

same colour as my loon and h reg lol nice tidy little motor

[Leeboo]

Looks like your starting in the right places with this... the boot tidy is probs one of the coolest things I've seen for a nova lol

[Mazz]

What happened to the SR?

[mowgli]

the boot tidy is probs one of the coolest things I've seen for a nova lol

any ideas where they are from, as i've never seen on before...

[Mazz]

Optional extra iirc Mike, Tina has one in her's too..

[mowgli]

Must have been a rare one... I've never seen one before, and i've never gone rooting in tina's boot either.... Lol

i'll probably never manage to find for sale one either

[MK999]

Nvm, thinking of the wrong part! lol

[SharonSR]

Sunday 16-08-09

Some of you may remember my old SR Nova from a few years back, that unfortunately had to be writen off, well I still had few bits left over, not just the boot tidy! :D

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809007.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809002.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809023.jpg

Also have the old back box. but on close inspticon she needs a whole system

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809001.jpg

Started on the front first, it's been a long time since I lowered a Nova, forgot just how easy it is...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809012.jpg

Off with the old leg, on with the new:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809014.jpg

Mmmm,Bilstiens....

On to the back:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809016.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809018.jpg

At this point I wanted to try my old rims, only to remember we sold them but still had Dan's set left from his Mk3 Astra. Not in as good a nick as mine were, but after a good clean and spot of Wonder Wheels they seemed to come up alright, will get them refurbed at a later date. The front tyres are almost new but the wrong profile (195/50/R15), would be happier with 195/45/R15.

Now last time on the SR I had to roll the rear arches with a hammer as we were on our way to the VBOA at Billing, so I was quite surprised when, after taking the car down off the stands we found a far bit of room under each arch. Just goes to show not every Nova is the same!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809025.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809026.jpg

Took her for a run up and down the road just to make sure there was no rubs and to check out the clutch cable fitted the day before; now lovely and light.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8203.jpg

Got her back in the garden and decided to give the engine bay a clean:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8211.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8219.jpg

With a little help form Dave:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8224.jpg

...who also cleaned out my washer bottle with dishwasher salt:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8210.jpg

[SharonSR]

Started fitting the SR clocks, after swapping the speedos over to keep the mileage correct:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/IMG_8236.jpg

After a clean up by Benn again

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809034.jpg

But found we need to run a new wire from the coil and oil pressure sender, which we'll do later in the week.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/160809035.jpg

[SharonSR]

Just a little update tonight;

Finished off putting in the SR clocks. Needed to run a wire from the coil for the rev counter and one from the oil pressure sender:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar170809001.jpg

Up through the bulk head and in behind the glove box:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar170809004.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar170809006.jpg

Gave them a test run, and found the oil pressure and fuel gauges not working, then found this:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar170809008.jpg

So fixed that:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar170809009.jpg

But we think it's already killed the guage, (anyone got one spare PM me please!)

All back together, waiting to be driven:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar170809012.jpg

Fitted a period stereo for now:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/newcar170809014.jpg

And thats it for tonight!

[SharonSR]

Ok it's been a while since the last update but thats not to say we've been sitting around!

18-08-09
First up an essential mod that makes it so much easier to get in the bay, not to keen on the chrome look though, since my husband sprayed his black on his mk4 Astra for the more 'factory' finish...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809006.jpg

Like so:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909012.jpg

Next up a bit of front end tightening, again I've gone for a more subtle look:


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809009.jpg




http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809013.jpg

Also note we salvaged the uprated negative loom from a scap yard Nova; it's straight swap for the puny lead from the battery negative to the bulkhead.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909013.jpg

Also fitted my underbonnet carpet I bought and salvaged from my old SR:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809002.jpg


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809004.jpg

Next came my old back box (again salvaged from my old SR) and a renewal of the rest of the system for a staggering £20!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909026.jpg

Then we found some 6x9 speakers in the loft. Hoping these would inject some much needed bass to the Nova's ICE, was set about cutting up the badly faded shelf in the car, then covering it in black cloth to keep it looking simple. Don't worry, I still have a mint unmolested example in the loft that I might just put in for the shows!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809025.jpg

So made a template:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809024.jpg

Marked out the shelf:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809026.jpg

Proved a little bit too tough to cut easily with a knife, so we chain drilled it:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809028.jpg

Then bolted the speakers in place:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809029.jpg

All finished and covered, and even found some straps, again from the local scrappy:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909015.jpg

Much better!

Whilst in the scrappy, my hubby and Benn found a rather minty 51k mile Spin. It was so hot that day they managed to successfully unpeel the gutter trims without damage!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809043.jpg

[SharonSR]

Then I finally managed to track down a SR bumper. It's not in great condition, but it was fairly local, and it can be sprayed when the car's in for it's rear arch work. We fitted it for fun:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/180809050.jpg

Still on the hunt for a SR grille!

[SharonSR]

And so to today jobs!

First up a belt and coolant service. Cam belt coming off:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909007.jpg

Water pump needed a little more help :


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909008.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909009.jpg

Got there in the end, think it may have been the original one, it had a little bit of play in (before I smashed the hell out of it with a hammer!)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909010.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909011.jpg

Thermostat out :

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909017.jpg

Next came the rad to give it a flush out. It's so small!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909023.jpg

Gave it a little blast through, and was happy to see it was quite clear:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909024.jpg

While the rad was out I had a quick look at the slam panel:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909019.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909020.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909021.jpg

Am quite pleased at the overall condition there.

With the rad back in, it's on with a new water pump:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909028.jpg

We've got the correct C-spanner that makes setting the tension on the cam belt a lot easier:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909031.jpg

Belt/cover back on ready for a good 50,000 before I need to look in there again!

New fan belt and she almost ready to go again.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909033.jpg

Right, on to one of my fave mods and one I've been wanting to do since I got the car, but I was lacking some parts had to wait a bit.

Sunday morning was spent up at the local scrappy (again) picking up a set of 288 Vectra calipers for £30. Sweet!

[SharonSR]

Spent the afternoon giving them a clean and a paint, ubder the watchful gaze of Benn:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909001.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909004.jpg

Who I'd also just knicked lower front and rear anit roll bars from. :) I'll be painting these later this week in good old Halfords Satin black.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909005.jpg

**Anyone got a front ARB bush and clamp? I'm missing just one.**

Back to the calipers.

Off with the old 235 discs:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909040.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909034.jpg

...and on with the lovely 288s:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909035.jpg

Having already had them drilled at a mates, just the 4th hole needs filing out:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909036.jpg

Hmmmmmm...shiny....:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909039.jpg

I just love the look of the caliper/wheel interface:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909047.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909048.jpg

Ever get the feeling you're being whatched?

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/080909041.jpg

[SharonSR]

However it was also on our photo shoot trip I found out I had a petrol leak whilst filling up. Later inspection found this:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909008.jpg

So the next morning we set about getting the pipe off and replacing it.

We wanted to try and do it with out taking the tank off I had just brimmed it..

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909014.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909010.jpg

Close up:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909017.jpg

Nice new bit of pipe:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909018.jpg

While we had the back wheels off I gave the drums a bit of a face-lift:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909019.jpg

And fitted the rear ARB from an SR:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909020.jpg

Now I had noticed she had been running a bit funny of late; sometimes
"hunting" when she'd been left idling for too long (like when the beach photos were taken).
Thinking back to my old SR and my current Mk2 astra when they had similar
problems, we decided to give the carb a strip down and clean.

We found it to have bits of dead spider in it! Here a leg:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909022.jpg

A lot of other crap:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909024.jpg

Oh and the rest of the spider:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909030.jpg

cleaned it all up and added a fuel filter:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909033.jpg

Running a LOT better now.

Tomorrow....
Exhaust blow

[SharonSR]

Over the last few weeks we've been busy doing a few little bits to the Nova.

First up another trip to the local scrappy!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909004-1.jpg

Rear number plate light
grey door cards (but still need 1x arm rest/handle)
ARB clamps
2x switches
rear spoiler (little damaged)

...and a unused GM screwdriver!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909008-1.jpg

All for £10.

Fitted the switches for a laugh:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/140909011-1.jpg

Finally found out what colour the car is and popped down to Halfords to pick up a can of Nordic Blue.

Time for some colour coding:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/28-09-09113.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/28-09-09117.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/28-09-09123.jpg

Managed to get my hands on an SR grille at long last!!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/28-09-09121.jpg

Have to say I do love the look of the SR, so expect to see a lot more pics of the front of my car!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/28-09-09122.jpg

Thanks to Sturge (on PNG) I now have a set of Mk1 window switches.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/28-09-09129.jpg

However, the set of window motors Dan won on eBay never showed, Thankfully Paypal saw in his favour and got his money back. But that does mean I still need some motors.

Last up ARB fitting.
Have got a set of new bushes on order from Vauxhall, but so far it's been 3 weeks and they're still not here, so fitted a set from a 56k mile Saloon that was in the scrappy for now (along with it's ariel top).

Thank you Uncle Benn for the rollbar!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/ARB11-10-09001.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/ARB11-10-09002.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/ARB11-10-09003.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/ARB11-10-09004.jpg

[SharonSR]

So another update:

Last week my wonderful husband spent £200 on getting 4 brand new Toyo Proxes, as the old ones were not only the wrong size but coming to the end of their life.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/PNGmeet15-11-09012.jpg

In the back of the car:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/PNGmeet15-11-09014.jpg

Comedy no wheels pic of the car sitting on axle stands:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/PNGmeet15-11-09011.jpg

Wheels needed a bit of a clean so Benn kindly had a go:
Before:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/SharonsNova001.jpg

After:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/SharonsNova004.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/SharonsNova005.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/PNGmeet15-11-09025.jpg

Next day took it for a test run up to Southampton, was fine on the motorway but then as we pulled up at a set of lights a big cloud of blue smoke drifted past and sure enough it was coming from the exhuast!

novasmoking.flv video by SharonSR - Photobucket (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/?action=view&current=novasmoking.flv)

Thought (hoped) it might be the head gasket or a valve stem seal so set about taking the head off.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6177.jpg

Plug 4 seems a little oily, must be the problem cylinder.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6179.jpg

We forgot to drain all the water out. Oops!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6181.jpg

Although you can see it was going between the water channels and pot 4:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6183.jpg

...and here:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6182.jpg

...and after I got all the water out:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6186.jpg

Gave it a clean up and that was it for the night.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6188.jpg

[SharonSR]

Now I was happy to put it all back together Sunday, but while I was at work on saturday Dan had some spare time, he set to work.

Popped the stem seals out and compared them to the new ones:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6195.jpg

Bit of wear there I think. Noticed too they had GM and the 90***** part number on.

All laied out ready to go back together:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6196.jpg

A valve:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6198.jpg

Meanwhile outside:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6200.jpg

Head all clead up and back together!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6201.jpg

Next was the exhaust manifold and carb manifold:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6202.jpg

He did a bit of clean up on the block then decided it was time to track down a copy of C.O.D Modern Warfare.

[SharonSR]

So the next morning we start again hoping to have it running by the afternoon in time for the MIG meet!

Bit more cleaning on the head and block and a good dollop of sealant and it was time to rejoin the two halfs!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6203.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6204.jpg

A spiral to 25Nm and 3 lots of 60 degree turns later it was on and tight.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6205.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6206.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6207.jpg

Now all the easier bits:

Rocker cover:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6208.jpg

And all back together in the bay:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6210.jpg

Had to borrow the mk2's rotor arm due to the new one I'd just put on had snapped for some reason. Still by 2:30 we were all at the meet, and she's running better then ever!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/DSCF6210.jpg

More soon.... :)

[SharonSR]

Only a little update for you alas not had a lot of time lately.

First up I changed the clocks due to the oil pressure gauge not working. Bit of a muck up when I first put them in, ran 12v straight to it, But thanks to JhonnyA who happened to have a set laying around,

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/31-01-2010001.jpg

Swapped the speedo over and fitted only to find the oil pressure sender does not work, (Anyone got a spare?)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/31-01-2010004.jpg

next up new steering wheel, missed the feel of my oil sr one, but was one of the things we forgot to take off when it went to the scrap yard in the sky, still found one on PNG (thanks Retronova)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/31-01-2010005.jpg

ah, all back together......

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/31-01-2010006.jpg

And lastly the rear washer never worked since I've had the car. So did a bit of investigating and found the pipe severed inside where it feeds into the boot lid. A bit of pipework later from the bottle back and water was running down the window again. However now the rear wiper was on all the time. Retracing my steps and I found this...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/31-01-2010002.jpg

Cheeky little wire; bit of electrical tape and it's ready for the weeks commute.

[SharonSR]

Today was my day off and we had nothing planned, so we got on with a few little jobs on the Nova.

First up you'll know she's not long been back from the body shop, and since then I've been trying to decide if I should keep the silver strip down the side, and just redo it on the door and rear panel.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010002.jpg

I decided to go for the lot more work option and take it all off, but this is also correct for a SR look.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010007.jpg

A heat gun and finger nails seem to work well that and a little t-cut to get the glur residue off.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010005.jpg

Next Job was the oil pressure sender. Thanks to benn who just happened to have one off his old c20xe sitting around. Only one little problem the connector for the warning light is different, so Dan said he'd pop to a scrappy at some point and see if he can make up an adaptor.

First good sign it was working....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010004.jpg

And sure enough on start up: we have oil pressure! Woo!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010003.jpg

Devon meanwhile was keeping a close eye on things:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010008.jpg

On to the interior. Now the old interior was not that comfy, some of the foam on the drivers seat had come away from the frame, and it wasn't that nice to look at.
However up in the loft was my old SR's interior, so we dragged that down and last week Dan's dad (he's a valater) gave it a good going over, so made sense to fit it today.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010013.jpg

Bit of a vacuum:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010018.jpg

Mmmmmm:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010019.jpg

Sexy:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010022.jpg

There's just something about the look I love, and I'm happy with the way she is coming together.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/05-02-2010025.jpg

More coming soon.

[SharonSR]

Another day off and a bit more done to the Nova, although not so much by me.

Now the plan is to fit electric windows and remote central locking, so to start off that means taking the doors off and drilling holes for the loom.Thinking ahead Dan had already done a trip to good old Machine Mart and picked up a set of cone cutters and a door hinge pin removal tool. vat free.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010011.jpg

Started this off out the front of the house, which we should have known better. Still got one door off:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010006.jpg

And then had a bit of fun moving it into the back garden but unfortunately the video we took at the time won't upload to photobucket

Once in the garden work re-started. First hole in the car:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010009.jpg

Bit of filing:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010010.jpg

Bit of paint to keep the rust at bay:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010013.jpg

A lovely rubbery grommet:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010012.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010020.jpg

Next up the doors, took the door card off just to see what was laying behind, all clear..

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010014.jpg

Bit harder due to the double skin,

Outside:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010015.jpg

Inside:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010016.jpg

A little bit more filing and paint:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010018.jpg

Another grommet:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010024.jpg

Both doors back on ready for wiring.

Thanks to Benn for the grommets and my lovely husband for the drilling,

Part two coming soon.......

[SharonSR]

Been a busy week.

Started on Sunday with fitting the central locking. Got a kit from Rightclick along with a boot pop kit.

Rightclick (http://www.rclick.co.uk/)


A mass of wires:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010028.jpg

Fed the wires though the holes in the doors we prepared last time:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010033.jpg

Took a lot to fit and connect the motors...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010030.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010029.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010032.jpg

Back inside, there were wires everywhere. The unit fits nicely behind the driver's kick panel and we were able to run the wires along the back of the shelf.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010040.jpg

Next, on to the electric windows as we were already working in the doors.

Wires were fed along with the locking kit, so we just needed to drill out the rivets, pop out the old manual cranks and fit the new electric motors. Bit fiddly but small girl's hands are ideal for this! :)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010037.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010027.jpg

Gave it a bit of a grease up to keep operation smooth.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010035.jpg

Then fed the wire under the carpet to the centre console:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010039.jpg

Wired in the switches to find we had a short some where and the 12V wire got very HOT. The window side buzzed out fine, so we cut the switchers out and found one of the brass plates was touching both terminals at the same time. By this point it was getting late so we called it a night.

Dan took the switches to work the next day to have a play and got them working again, so once in the front door it was out the back door to re-fit them and solder up the last wires. Then on with the door cards. One of Dan's work colleagues has a lathe so knocked me up a couple of blanks for the winder holes:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010047.jpg

Needed big blank plates on the back:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010048.jpg

Not sure if I should leave them as is or paint them in good old Satin black?

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010051.jpg

Wrong door handles got the right passages one but the drivers one is damaged so on the look at for one:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/09-02-2010049.jpg

That was it for Monday.

[SharonSR]

Today we fitted the boot pop. The kit we got has a very large solenoid so had fun trying to find somewhere to mount it where it would still pull the catch.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010010.jpg

We had the normal fun threading the wire though the boot and rear quarter. A bit of welding wire worked a treat:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010007.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010008.jpg

The rest of the wiring was easy, took it along inside the boot and down the diver's side to the relay in the kick panel. Decided to fit a relay with a fuse fitted, instead of the glass fuse it comes with. Cunningly used a secondary horn loom and relay from a Mk2 Astra GTE.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010005.jpg

The last thing I did was test out the car bra. Haven't left it on as the car needs a good wash. It started to rain at this point so won't be doing it today.

Enjoy.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010011.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010012.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010014.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010016.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/19-02-2010017.jpg

[SharonSR]

It been a fare few months since I last updated this, only done a few little mods

so let get back up to date.

first I got round to fitting the Sr spoiler,

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/097.jpg

Took alot of measuring and remeasuring and marking out,

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/098.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/100.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/099.jpg

Change the rear washer to a nice stubby one

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/101.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/102.jpg

all done
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/104.jpg

next up added a bit of colour...

[SharonSR]

So to carry on with the Sr look I added a little bit of colour,

Before:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/02-03-2010001.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/02-03-2010002.jpg

And after:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/02-03-2010006.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/02-03-2010014.jpg

Hmmm getting there this was also around the Time I got her on the rollers for the first time.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/South%20Central%20Rolling%20Road%20Day%2020-03-10/th_20-03-2010011.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/South%20Central%20Rolling%20Road%20Day%2020-03-10/?action=view&current=20-03-2010011.flv)

58.9 BHP and 75 Lb/Ft Torque not bad for a 20 year 1.2 :d

[SharonSR]

last up got some great shots taken by Benn..

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/012.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/013.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/011.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/014.jpg

still got to add vinyl to the bottom and boot, but loving the way shes coming on

[SharonSR]

Right that brings this back up to date, been meaning to re-upload that lot since the change over,

As it is I've not done anything to the Nova in ages, just been enjoying driving her. That said she did go over the 100k mark last week.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/random002.jpg

[davidfox280585]

stunning i really like that and well done all others involved

[NOV4_SPORT]

Looking really good, some really good progress.

[istf]

last up got some great shots taken by Benn..
...
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/011.jpg
...
still got to add vinyl to the bottom and boot, but loving the way shes coming on

Beautiful!

[SharonSR]

Ooh Shiny.........

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/My%20new%20Nova/Twins.jpg

:d:d:d:d:d:d:d

[Markd89]

just read through all of this, very nice progress love what you have done, keep it up

[Hazzz]

love what youve done with the car! cant wait to see the rest!

[SharonSR]

So for those of you who didn't get to see the Nova at PVS or VBOA Rally this year.


Here the update!


It Came back from the Body-shop at the start of the year after having a little face lift, both bumpers and the front grill were given some fresh paint


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/simplynova6.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/SharonSR/media/simplynova6.jpg.html)


The lower sides below the bump strips have been given the Sr make over at last:


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/SimplyNova1.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/SharonSR/media/SimplyNova1.jpg.html)


And along with the restored wheels. (mini photo shoot at Simply Vauxhall)


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/simplynova3.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/SharonSR/media/simplynova3.jpg.html)


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/simplynova5.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/SharonSR/media/simplynova5.jpg.html)


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/simplyNova7.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/SharonSR/media/simplyNova7.jpg.html)


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/simplynova8.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/SharonSR/media/simplynova8.jpg.html)


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/simplynova4.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/SharonSR/media/simplynova4.jpg.html)


And my fave pic! (Thanks Benn)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/SharonSR/SimplyNova2.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/SharonSR/media/SimplyNova2.jpg.html)


Still Bits to do but it coming along. I'm loving it!