My mk1 Nova Hatch

[chris862]

I joined this forum years ago, but just started looking at it again as I now officially own the family Nova!

Shes been in the family since 1991, so I've literally grown up with this car,when I reached 17 I learnt to drive in it. She's been laid up for a few years now, but I'm finishing uni soon and so attentions may be on her soon to get it back on the road as a cheaper mode of transport than my capri!

Couple of Pics!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00142.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00141.jpg

Cheers ;)
Chris

[Novasport]

Nice mk1, looks tidy. More FTW than FTL lol

[chris862]

Cheers man, haha never even thought about the FTL , reckon it stands for 'faster than light'! for a completely standard 170,000mile 1.2, it still beats my 1.6 capri on performance hands down, they got the final drive/box ratios just right on the 4speed Nova I reckon!

pics were taken a few years back where me and my gf actually slept in the car overnight in that layby, man it was cold! lol

[Novasport]

I have a 1.2 Swing 4 speed and I was quite surprised at how well it goes.

[Connor]

pics were taken a few years back where me and my gf actually slept in the car overnight in that layby, man it was cold! lol

Fook that!! lol Nova looks really smart, Loving the earlyness about it.
(ps pics of capri please :) )

[Pete]

lol Connor beat me to it, pics of Capri!!!!!


Tidy little motor tho, + least you know the in's and out's of it.

[turbojolt]

Ooooooo one piece bumper, me likey me likey a lot lol

[chris862]

Cheers guys! great to hear the appriciation for the old girl!

Looks far tidier in the pics than reality, front new wings and drivers door are rattle can sprayed and the rear arches are full of filler lol

knew I shouldn't av mentioned the capri! not wanting to hijack my own thread too much, heres a few pics of my daily ;)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/Capri/P1120046.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/Capri/DSCF6165.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/Capri/DSCF8003.jpg

Cheers!

[MK999]

Capri looks awesome, about the only Ford I actually like lol I do have a passion for disliking pinto's though :p When's the 2.8 V6 due in? :d

[Archie]

Both tidy cars there.

Love the look of early MK1's :)

[chris862]

Haha Cheers guys! hey nothing wrong with a pinto MK999, bit of a smokey old lump but it still sounds great!

Right now I've found some old pics, time for a little history in pictures! :d

Lets start from the beginning-ish, circa 1994 and yes thats me as a little nipper!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/meagesago.jpg

here it is around 2002, 160,000miles later and looking in a sorry state but still going!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/lastscan.jpg

By about 2005, Dad finally bought another everyday car and it was time to sort the body out abit, 2 new front wings and a valance later;
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/picture2.jpg

2007 and it was started to look rough again, but it was now my project car while I learnt to drive in it
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/2007_0410Image0005.jpg

got some allooys, but then I wanted back to original off they came lol
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00003.jpg

Got another drivers door, wasn't a bad finish in the end with just rattle cans!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00017-1.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00019.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00027.jpg
also painted the steelies black n silver
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00056.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00058gg.jpg

And this was around 2010, last time it was used when I started Uni
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/DSC00074.jpg

And thats my quick nova history! its been under a cover laid up for the past 2 years, I will be unearthing her again when I finish Uni in July! :)
Cheers

[mk1nova_rich]

You interested in selling? lol looks a nice little example there mate :d

[Lewis.]

Both the Nova and the Capri look awesome mate :)


Capri looks awesome, about the only Ford I actually like lol I do have a passion for disliking pinto's though :p When's the 2.8 V6 due in? :d

Is there anything you do actually like? lol

[chris862]

Cheers Lewis glad you like em :)

Mk1nova_rich I'd be intrigued as to how much shes worth, I have no idea! lol plan is capri comes off the road end of this month, so will hopefully get the nova up and running again soon :)

[chris862]

Let the recomissioning begin :)

cover off this morning after a couple of years
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8249.jpg

Not looking tooo bad
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8250.jpg

rear driverside brake was stuck on solid, even though the handbrake has been left off, after hammering the drum off this seemed to be the cause
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8251.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8252.jpg
everything else looking ok, quick clean up and seemed to be working again!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8253.jpg
gotta get the surface rust off the discs next,

Engine up and running, hasn't been used since we did the headgasket and had the head skimmed last year so oil nice n' clean
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8254.jpg

had a poke around for the dreadead rust, the rear of the passenger sill inside is flaking, gunna hopefully get that sorted, then go over everything else and in for M.O.T - thats the plan anyway!

Will keep the updates coming ;)
Cheers
Chris

[istf]

Nice story when the car still staying at the family! Take care each other and wish a lot of happy hours!
Anyway you must take a photo again (with that bicycle)! lol

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/meagesago.jpg

[cormac81]

Love how the car has been kept the car so long.

[chris862]

Nice story when the car still staying at the family! Take care each other and wish a lot of happy hours!
Anyway you must take a photo again (with that bicycle)! lol


Love how the car has been kept the car so long.

Cheers guys! wish I hadn't thrown that bike away now haha, yea I'll have to try recreate the shot, see who aged better!

well booked in at the local garage for a look round the rust and if economically viable for repair it will be done :)

I'll conclude with a video of it's first start up today!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/th_DSCF8255.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/?action=view&current=DSCF8255.mp4)
Cheers

[scott.parker]

Interesting project, when did the spoiler get added? and sort the new plate to an old style one on the front, hate them new digits they use these days.

[chris862]

Interesting project, when did the spoiler get added? and sort the new plate to an old style one on the front, hate them new digits they use these days.

Cheers Scott :) I added the spoiler a couple of years back, always liked em! as for the front plate never really thought about it lol, the rear one is still the original dealer one, but i was thinking of maybe getting a set of metal pressed ones perhaps

Well its having a new passenger sill welded on, update pics soon!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/26-07-12-14-34.jpg

Cheers

[chris862]

Well just been relieved of £490 for insurance! does that sound reasonable for a 22yr old??

work is still being carried out on the body, I'm crossing everything it will get through the MOT ok!

[chris862]

Had a bit of nova premonition on wednesday when this lovely jamaica yellow (I think) SR on Dplate! pulled out infront of me n Dad in Bedford
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/01-08-12-11-30.jpg

Anyway, Shes back from welding, MOT on monday, wish me luck!
some Pics :)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/P1150924.jpg
new sill
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/P1150927.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/P1150929.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/P1150931.jpg
Cheers

[Brocky]

nice little car and good luck with the MOT, just out of intrest how much was insurance on capri?

[chris862]

nice little car and good luck with the MOT, just out of intrest how much was insurance on capri?

Cheers Brocky! about the same tbh, hopefully will get the capri back on the road soon :)

[chris862]

PASS!

well chuffed! time to start enjoying some 80's vauxhall motoring! :)

[chris862]

Done my first long trip today, over 100miles, all fine until I went up a steep hill and when I reached the top to park up the top end started knocking! :( seemed to be coming from under the cam cover, oil starvation from the angleof the hill perhaps? or the strain of the hill? switched her off, started up again.. not knocking now, bit concerned

Atleast I found another one to park next to!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/P1160065.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/P1160066.jpg

Chris

[Hydey36]

Mate, thats a cracking story... How great that its been with you and your family for so long... Many people ask me why i have my nova when i have had many vauxhalls ranging from corsa b, a brand new corsa c and an astra g sxi (cars other people see as more desireable)... It was because i loved my 2nd car... A nova 1.2 merit... Nice to see other people out there who realise like me that sentimental value can over rule ££ value... Keep up the good work chief

[Phil_d]

I had the same knocking with mine, mine was a 1.0 ohv though, it had been sat 8 years, when i got it on the road after a few weeks going up inclines it would knock and rattle on the top end, changed the oil and filer and it went away, i should have done it straight away been sat that long but i was more bothered about driving it. Maybe something to think about? but both nova and capri look awesome.

[chris862]

Mate, thats a cracking story... How great that its been with you and your family for so long... Many people ask me why i have my nova when i have had many vauxhalls ranging from corsa b, a brand new corsa c and an astra g sxi (cars other people see as more desireable)... It was because i loved my 2nd car... A nova 1.2 merit... Nice to see other people out there who realise like me that sentimental value can over rule ££ value... Keep up the good work chief

Cheers man! yea part of the family, most people would of weighed it in by now lol, but we just couldn't do it as its been such a good little car!


I had the same knocking with mine, mine was a 1.0 ohv though, it had been sat 8 years, when i got it on the road after a few weeks going up inclines it would knock and rattle on the top end, changed the oil and filer and it went away, i should have done it straight away been sat that long but i was more bothered about driving it. Maybe something to think about? but both nova and capri look awesome.

Cheers Phil! yea when I got home I noticed the oil was a bit low, although on the 50mile trip home it actually stopped knocking! oil and filter were also pretty new anyway so dunno really, took the cam cover off and started it up with a rag over and the oil seems to be getting up there fine, its seems to have fixed itself! :D

Got a new radiator on the way hopefully as its started weeping at the bottom from corrosion, well it is 27 yrs old!

Did 250 miles yesterday, and shes averaging around 50mpg, really gunna feel the petrol savings compared to the capri lol

Today I fitted some new bulbs to my 6clock dash, it never came with any, but I should be able to see the speedo at night now
Also glued back the temp needle as I snapped it off a few years ago and its been bugging me ever since
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8330.jpg
Good as newish
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8331.jpg
the new ones are black,2 more left to get still
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8335.jpg
and all back in
Cheers.

[chris862]

Got a few more bits done
Got the new radiator off ebay, £41 delivered :thumb: all fitted up now
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8356.jpg
Old one past its best!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8357.jpg
and tidied up both rear arches and boot
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8359.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8360.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8363.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8366.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8367.jpg
nowhere near perfect, but more presentable now atleast :)

[chris862]

Can't believe I've done a 1000miles in the first month of running it! back into daily service, would be cool to get down to a nova meet sometime if theres one in the cambs area ;)

having problems with the vacuum pipe from the inlet to the servo not sealing fully, causing a lack of braking assistance, as we replaced the servo a few years ago from a later nova and could never get the right rubber grommit to match to the vacuum pipe

Few pics of her atm!

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8425.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8428.jpg

Cheers

[Calamity Josh]

I'm only in essex :)

[chris862]

noticed the Nova was smelling like a petrol station a few evenings ago, sure enough it was loosing vital fluids..

many of you will recognise these!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/P1170149_zps6260aee9.jpg
the return one was weeping, replaced it and then the main one started leaking too lol, so both done now, was a bit fiddly doing the job at 9pm luckily nothing came pouring out the tank, either theres some kinda valve or there just wern't much in the tank!

I'm getting there on the hunt for these, just need one for the driverside wing, anyone got one lying about??
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/Novawingmoulding.jpg

went down to a dyno meet last weekend in convoy with my mates Clio sport 197, he was impressed by the pace of a 27yr old Nova! :D
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8568_zps78044d22.jpg

[GeorgePayne92]

Where abouts are you ? Haven't seen this about anywhere, I'm near Huntingdon?

[chris862]

I'm just north of Huntingdon, been off the road the last two years so probably why you aint seen it! Its used most days so if you see it give us a flash, (not like that) lol

[chris862]

Thought I'd put some pics up of my attempt at tiding up the front wings a few weeks back, the ol' china blue rattle can jobby was looking poor and I got fed up with having rubber bungs filling the side repeater holes!
Filled up the holes
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8507.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8506.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8509.jpg
and done
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8522.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8561.jpg
Looks much better now I reckon :) wanna lacquer them sometime if the weather picks up
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/15-09-12-12-05.jpg

Next is to paint the rusting sub frame and anything else under there in preparation for the winter!

[Novasport]

Have you found all of your bump strips yet, I am looking for a new rear quarter trim for a 3dr hatch. Which front wing do you need, I can keep a look out for one for you.
Are you drilling and fitting the rivets for the trims on the panels, have you got the rivets and plastic clips?
Would the stick on ones not be easier?

[chris862]

Thanks mate, I'm just short of the driverside front wing one, as you can see the front wings and the drivers door from a later nova don't have the rivets to attach the clips! I just might tigerseal them on ;)

I would like to get it back to looking original, thats the plan anyway!

[chris862]

Thought it would be nice to replace the crusty old original mudflaps
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8792.jpg

With these bad boys!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8799.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8800.jpg

Also repainted these to refit
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/29-09-12-17-45.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/30-09-12-11-35.jpg

Its looking smarter by the day! :)

[GeorgePayne92]

Looking good! Yes will do, hoping to get an se by the end of the month. Will have to have a mini meet or something!

[chris862]

Cheers man and yea should do!

In light of my recent purchase, had to do some road rally style shots.. lol

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8857.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8858.jpg

[novadave24]

looking good mate :thumb:

[chris862]

The restoration is complete!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/scan0001j.jpg

Ok not quite, found an old pic from about 1991 I believe! wasn't she looking tastey then :thumb:

not much to update otherwise, been doing hundreds and hundreds of miles
replaced the bulb in the clock that blew about 10yrs ago, it's nice to be able to read it at night again!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/25-10-12-11-21.jpg
also fitted the remaining bulbs to the SR clocks, all good except the main beam warning light works in reverse and goes out when you switch to mainbeams lol any ideas?

Cheers
Chris

[hotrod]

Lookin good mate pleased to see you haven't just ripped the engine out and fitter bigger! Think there should be more original examples on the road or people will forget what they were actually like! :d

[Calamity Josh]

awsome mate :) love this car, theres a south east meet going on soon if your interested? ;)

[millworm]

Nice car mate, like the story behind it too. Also did those flaps you bought come with any brackets or did you use the ones of the old flaps?

[DAVIDKEDENS]

Love how its been in your family so long... I just bought one for my first car as I've wanted one since I was 13/14 and people think i'm off my head but they just don't get the Nova love! ;)

[chris862]

Lookin good mate pleased to see you haven't just ripped the engine out and fitter bigger! Think there should be more original examples on the road or people will forget what they were actually like! :d

Cheers man! wanted to mod it like crazy when I was 17 but now I'm glad its stayed original..ish, and who needs a bigger engine- still shifts for an old girl! lol


awsome mate :) love this car, theres a south east meet going on soon if your interested? ;)

Message sent :)


Nice car mate, like the story behind it too. Also did those flaps you bought come with any brackets or did you use the ones of the old flaps?

Thanks man! they didn't come with brackets and the ones on the old flaps we're melded to them, so I just self tappered the new ones to the rear bumper


Love how its been in your family so long... I just bought one for my first car as I've wanted one since I was 13/14 and people think i'm off my head but they just don't get the Nova love! ;)

Hehe the haters don't know what their missing! been following your thread, looks like you picked up a gooden ;)

[chris862]

Lacquered the passenger front wing today, not the best job, but it'l do for now!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/08-11-12-13-16001.jpg
Still after a driverside front wing moulding strip

A big moment, finally have fully dash lighting! lol
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8903.jpg

[Novaloony]

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/25-10-12-11-21.jpg


Aaah so thats where that big plastic bit i had left over goes! its been bugging me since i put my dash back where it come from!

[scott.parker]

You got a new front plate that like the rear one?
Looks good dude.

[chris862]

Not on my list of priorities Scott, but I will at somepoint :)

Nova performed brilliantly as usual on a 450mile roadtrip last weekend! gunna treat her to some castrol GTX and oil/air filter now :thumb:
Some pics!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/Liecester%20Lights%2012%20poole%20cavern/P1170942.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/Liecester%20Lights%2012%20poole%20cavern/P1170899.jpg

[Calamity Josh]

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/Liecester%20Lights%2012%20poole%20cavern/P1170899.jpg

where did your mirror case go? lol

[chris862]

where did your mirror case go? lol

lol it does look like its gone, just cause the drivers door is later and has a black mirror case which made me think today.. swap the oldskool cover over from the old door :thumb:
Cheers for the inspiration Calamity Josh, thats better!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/05-12-12-11-15.jpg

ofcourse put the black one back on the old door lol
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/05-12-12-11-18.jpg

toying with this too! when I have time to make a base plate
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/05-12-12-10-44.jpg

Cheers!

[chris862]

My first winter pic!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/13-12-12-14-41k.jpg

Turns out the new radiator is so officiant that the heater just isn't as hot anymore, maybe needs bleeding? and can't quite compete with all the cold draughts coming in from somewhere lol, so it's bloody freezing to drive in these temperatures!

[waggygsi]

try a new thermostat aswell buddy

[chris862]

Cheers Waggygsi was thinking that aswell, i'm getting heat through the vents and the heater pipes going in and out are hot, so can't be much wrong, did think of blocking off a bit of the rad, but then don't want it to randomly boil! lol

took this pic last week as part of my plan for a potential art project in Luton about Vauxhalls, made me laugh how big the 'new corsa' is in comparision to the little nova!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/P1180134.jpg

[chris862]

Little update

Rad fan switch stopped working a while ago, so I went for the easy option of fitting a manual switch so I can flick the fan on if it starts to get hot, was also an excuse to fit a cool toggle switch to the dash!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8927.jpg
Even scribed out a little fan logo which lights up too!

Also fitted some door sealant strips along the drivers door as the wind/cold and rain was getting in, vast improvement no more wind noise when going along and its actually warm in the cabin now!

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF8944.jpg
apart from a slightly dodgy servo shes gliding on into the new year!
Cheers

[paulyb]

Nice little read:) Bet you'd love to get it all back to original with a proper respray? Good to see the maintenance being done to get it through the winter!

[chrisd1986]

I might sound ignorant by saying this but running wires to the back of the dash fittind a switch seems harder than unplugging and removing a sensor from the rad and replacing it for a new one and if you do it quick enought you dont have to bleed the system

[chris862]

Nice little read:) Bet you'd love to get it all back to original with a proper respray? Good to see the maintenance being done to get it through the winter!

Cheers man! yea I'd love it to be restored in the future :)


I might sound ignorant by saying this but running wires to the back of the dash fittind a switch seems harder than unplugging and removing a sensor from the rad and replacing it for a new one and if you do it quick enought you dont have to bleed the system

Hehe naa this option would have involved common sence yea your right! though it didn't cost me anything and the main reason is I liked the idea of having control of it myself, you can never have too many toggle switches lol

[chrisd1986]

If you wanted to get more anal you could get a fan logo from a corsa b

[chris862]

Productive day off, fitted another servo (cheers kent14sr) works a treat! the daiphragm had gone on my old one

Also fitted this beast from the 80's as my old stereo had broken
new one in!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF9017fd.jpg

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF9014.jpg
Old Skool! :thumb:
Cheers

[chris862]

Bout time a got a pic up of the new wheels! (cheers kent14sr)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/27-02-13-14-37_zps44261c0f.jpg
will put up a better one when shes clean and my cameras working

After trying many things to condition the bumpers, wd40, peanut butter lol etc.. used engine oil restored them nicely and lasts!

Started on replacing the nearside wheel bearing this evening, its already being a fun job :roll:

Cheers

[kent14sr]

Looking good, and glad servo solved the problem!!

[Tim Harpley]

Enjoyed reading this, good ongoing project :thumb:

[chris862]

Cheers chaps! :) well got the new bearing today and finished the job, and what a bugger it was too! also after having the brake caliper strung up the whole time, when we were refitting it dropped and dangled on the hose and split it Do'h! hopefully be sorted tomorrow :thumb:

[istf]

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF9017fd.jpg

Love this old scool style! :)

[chris862]

A couple of pics of her in the recent sun :thumb:
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/04-03-13-14-38002_zps87e820af.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/04-03-13-14-36002_zps9690b3cf.jpg

I've just started refurbing the original steelies, although I don't think I'll be putting them back just yet :roll:

[novadave24]

looking good mate like the wheels :)

[chris862]

My monthly pic update
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/30-04-13-15-08_zps90844e62.jpg
A rare sight indeed :roll: snapped throttle cable, managed to limp home by setting the idle speed quite high lol

Apart from thats shes been behaving as usual! done over 10,000miles now since last august :thumb:
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/DSCF9214_zpsfdd20977.jpg

Cheers!

[chris862]

Important update! I've finally attached the passenger front bump strip lol

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130606_174214_zpsdde26940.jpg

Now the nearside is back to full on 'Luxe' spec! the driverside however
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130604_144117_zps4feee292.jpg

still rocking the 'base' look :thumb:
Cheers

[Steve]

Just saw your thread and thought I recognized the car, then when you mentioned the arches being full of filler I remembered it was the same one I saw at the Heritage Centre 07/10/2012!!

Here you go:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d9/novamyth/New50426_zpsd82f680b.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/novamyth/media/New50426_zpsd82f680b.jpg.html)

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d9/novamyth/New50425_zps0525e727.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/user/novamyth/media/New50425_zps0525e727.jpg.html)

[MK999]

I love that there's a 888 next to that with a crowd round it and you're taking pics of the Nova, good lad lol

[Steve]

Ahh that was my mate Andy and some peeps from VODC, they were more interested in the retro as well lol

[chris862]

I'll have you know those arches are bespoke :roll: someone graft me on some new ones please haha did you also enjoy the 'special' variations on china blue colour scheme!

Nice to be spotted :)

[mk1nova_rich]

Looking good mate, nice to see there are original early Mk1s still being used :)

[Calamity Josh]

welll.... on friday about 3:00 in the afternoon i spotted you coming down the A1 just before the black cat going onto it, as i was coming off the otherside in my nova. good to see another early hatch on the road!

[chris862]

Yea that was me! would ave given you a wave if I'd seen ya lol

Took it to the Luton festival of transport last weekend, only nova there, I'm guessing all the others were at PVS!

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130609_142750_zps22cf562a.jpg

[chris862]

Today I got on with refurbing the old steelies!

2 hand painted griffins, look ok if you dont get too close :thumb:
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130629_185854_zps136944d8.jpg
and two wheels in primer
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130706_165801_zpsfad62ba4.jpg
gave the inside a brushout, would be nice to get a sandy coloured cover for the drivers seat, anyone got one?
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_00132_zpsda53b3bf.jpg

Thats about it!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130613_174626_zps546661fc.jpg
Cheers

[chris862]

Shes Mot'd tax'd and insured for another year!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130729_145028_zpsd9b32f00.jpg
suddenly started running really rough at idle last week and thought it was a dodgy batch of fuel? done 350miles this weekend while hoping it would clear through and new fuel would solve it, cleaned the plugs and dissy cap and fiddled with the mixture, plugs showed lean mixture and its running a bit better but not quite as before, its a mystery!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130729_145044_zps6b7ca87d.jpg
Can't beat the Nova on a long trip, so comfy and quiet as long as you stick to 65mph it just keeps cruisin along lol

[chris862]

I was planning on taking the nova off the road for the winter for a bit of a tidy up, but my other car needing much welding has meant nova will hopefully be seeing me though the winter again

Last month the fuel tank decided to start leaking one evening, managed to source another on here :)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130915_164905_zpsada42a8d.jpg
I scraped it all down with a pen knife lol
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130915_175953_zps0aadb854.jpg
Hammerited the potential rust areas, notice the breather pipe was broken.
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_0565_zps4ff962ae.jpg
finest coat of china blue on top
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_0577_zps6abc9597.jpg
Hammerite silver underneath
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_0558_zps5c00d306.jpg
old tank out, and the hole!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_0602_zps2b724d9c.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_0576_zps2766d4ed.jpg

Inserted this bit of pipe to the breather, which we later found out was a mistake as it wouldd't fill up properly
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_0588_zps8a22b9a5.jpg
So dropped tank again and pulled the pipe out and now its just breathing into the air and fills up like a boss

Glad I went for silver!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_0596_zps1e6fa1c3.jpg

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130826_200122_zpsaa7dc173.jpg
Cheers

[bazzap8389]

Good work on the tank :) I'm liking that pic also :cool:

[dgbnova#1]

Mate if that breather is just vents to thin air and not up the filler neck I'm pretty sure you have just left the top of ure tank open to leaks when full or turning left it will roll out thats why it returns to the filler. A good welder should be able to put you a pipe in there but a lot will not touch fuel tanks I've done them filled with water after a good swill with the hose

[chris862]

Cheers chaps! I think the breather picks up from across the tank so if there was any splash that would make it up the vent pipe it would only be little, it's not ideal but for the moment its better, I've still got the breather pipe from the filler running in line with the tank breather, it's just not technically connected :roll:

Nearly finished painting the wheels
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130822_172534_zps354a31fb.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20130827_194704_zps446fccdc.jpg
going to leave them grey, see how they look

[chris862]

A nova milestone, the odometer doesn't show it as I fitted sr clocks some years back showing a different mileage

but officially.. she made 190,000! Engine still original never been out the bay
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20131023_144926_zps4af6a3b7.jpg
sods law the servo vacuum pipe started to play up today :roll:

[chris862]

Gave the ol' girl her bi-annual oil sponge bath underneath!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20131220_194845_zps1cbbd22f.jpg
finally the rough running has cleared up but no idea why, and now the wheel bearing is starting to grumble :roll:

ready for winter
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20131113_152308_zps0c4c915e.jpg

[millworm]

looking good mate :)

[Balley]

I Have similar problems with my tank, yet to investigate though. Looking good though.

[chris862]

Cheers guys!

Finally got the winter wheels on, now its even hairier on wet roundabouts :d

when changing the wheels, checked the front driverside and we think its the CV joint thats on the way out, another fun job to tackle next
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20131230_143330_zps0847aa23.jpg

[millworm]

Looks good, what are your plans for the suspension? I assume it's stock at the moment

[chris862]

Cheers, Yes everythings standards, oil dampers nice n roley but smooth lol no plans yet although I did just pickup a maxpower/haynes nova modding book so who knows!

[chris862]

Amazed how shes still coping with everyday use, 400miles in her last week, oils still clean as when I replaced it 5000miles/6months ago!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140203_131712_zps095d78a1.jpg
Inspired by seeing Pastrys corsa gt thread, my fan/rear heater switch now lights up! (didn't know it did)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140205_164857_zpsdc5627bf.jpg
Hopefully my other car will be back on the road for march, then nova can have a well earned rest while we get some jobs done! :thumb:

[Novaload_Nick]

It's a shame more Novas aren't used like this one, not sure I could bare one everyday anymore

[jafanan]

Id love to drive a nova everyday but the miles I do for work some weeks would make me nervous about leaving it parked in areas I dont trust

[Simon 1867]

Great thread matey, credit to you for keeping this as you daily.. How did you get the fan switch to light up? I need to do mine.

[marc69]

I drive a Nova as en everyday car too, just keep them well maintained and rust proofed, I try my best lol

[chris862]

Cheers Simon, two screws top of the cold air vents, pushing the vents inwards at the top will show them, then just unclip that dash panel, and you will have rear access to the clock and fan switch plug, remove that and the light connection is also there, bulb replacement is 'b286t panel light' :thumb:

[WA1D3N]

Stunning little Nova there and a cracking story behind it, I love how back in the old photos it stands out in a crowd and still manages to today.

[Southie]

Something about this car that all will love, it's a car that's been used and still fixed throughout life without being modded, basically what every Nova was like when first out. Reality in owning a daily Nova is what this is all about so have some +rep for staying strong to this :)

[chris862]

Cheers Southie, appreciate the comments guys!

Due an update, my other retro-mobile is on the road so nova has had a well earned rest and had some jobs done!

Brakes were getting poorer, suspected the servo aagain, sourced another painted it up nice and fitted
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140311_154929_zpsd34912c6.jpg
brakes even worse and spongey, and nearside front wouldn't bleed right, so old servo back on, swapped master cylinder internals, brakes still not good so gave up for a while and we did the driverside wheel bearing
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140318_152813_zpse00edac7.jpg
I also got hold of another carb and manifold, as the old carb was running a bit odd and kept stalling, so have fitted that!
and finally dad took the old thermostat out to find it working fine in hot water, so put it back and it was still running cold! we decided that it was opening too lower temp, so bought a new one fitted and..
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140329_090644_zps977a5fb3.jpg
After two years of me driving in the winter with gloves and a coat on, we have heat in the cabin again!

Brakes then decided to fix themselves after a few hundred miles, suddenly had a pedal again! must have pushed something through, also re adjusted the rear shoes to make sure!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140223_142108_zps3764591e.jpg
Finally been having a few issue with starting in damp/foggy mornings, friday morning for work she refused to fire, no spark! wd40 didn't help this time, the leads were soaked through from driving through a hail storm the day before, ten minutes with the hair dryer and she fired into life again, so I'm going to get some new leads next!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140223_142050d_zpsd0e783af.jpg
Looking to get some rear arch repair panels soon, where should I be looking?

Cheers :)

[chris862]

Nothing like a new set of leads!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140401_151704_zps94f35af2.jpg
Thought I would get ones with the inbuilt metal caps instead of leads that push on the old ones, might be a slight improvement over the 29yr old original plug caps!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140401_164852_zps46682930.jpg
We shall see tomorrow :thumb:

[steve1434]

Great thread this mate, nice to see a car with a long story and in daily use. Keep up the good work car is awesome :thumb:

[chris862]

Not much to update, means shes been behaving which is good! so just some pics of her better side at various shows sofar this year :thumb:
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140518_123041_zps83f8b310.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_1119_zps04fe972e.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/IMG_1619_zps2bf2bed7.jpg

Exhaust keeps finding new places to blow, anyone got a stainless one forsale lol

[chris862]

Well she got her ticket for another year ..just! lol
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140710_144828_zps5612ea7d.jpg
Thats another 10,000miles since last year!
brakes are still giving trouble to the point where trying to sort them out has resulted in no brakes atall, and missing billing
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140714_174312_zpsf14689d9.jpg
problems ranging from leaking union where the pipe connects to the master cylinder (bloody pipe flairer from Halfrauds pictured was useless)trying various servos that dont seem to be working, and now the backs are not bleeding!
she currently sitting in the naughty corner with 12months mot, don't know what to do lol
on the lookout for another servo and master cylinder not too far away
dad had a new pipe made up and while the wheel was off thought I would clean the arch
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140716_172432_zpse3563826.jpg
amazing, the china blue underseal still largely intack in the arch and on the strut after 30 years!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140716_182628_zps4483539f.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20140716_190619_zpsb9efbb7a.jpg
although where is has broken through there are some holey areas that need attention, going to work my way round the car while its off the road in the good weather and clean up the arches and any trouble areas :)

[LDAWSON]

It's good to see you've kept her in the family pal.....I'm slowly starting to appreciate mk1's now and I'm a mk2 diehard....:)

[chris862]

Found the thread! reading back I can't remember if we sorted out the brakes in the end, but shes getting taxed for november!

taken halfway through my first ever attempted repair, yes I know I'm still learning!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141010_124238_zpscc48a1a1.jpg
then it got harder
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141010_111001_zps6a2ba4f7.jpg
braced the top together (not just with seam sealer lol)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141029_114116_zpsc1ca5cb3.jpg
from this
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141010_111001_zps6a2ba4f7.jpg
to this
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141029_121350_zps2ec022b8.jpg
still a bit more to do here with the arch gaurd
cleaned and painted the arch
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141029_114156_zpsd94afeb0.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141029_141639_zps1395724a.jpg

just 3 more arches to go!

[Jonesfach]

Cracking thread. great are novas rust apart. Lol!

[chris862]

Shes back!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141105_143634_zpsb229566e.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20141105_143621_zpsf993b128.jpg
Using her for work in dry weather only while I get her a bit more rust proofed for the winter ;)

[millworm]

Looking good mate

[chris862]

Been a while since I've updated, I been busy!

Naturally 30 years of winter driving and clocking up 200,000miles has taken its toll, wasn't confident it was going to make another Mot, so she came of the road at the end of April..

Not really tackled body work before so here goes, made a start at the front
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150505_114011_zpsmf9dnywh.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150506_122601_zpshmu7lswa.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150507_103638_zpsfybfvxke.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150507_111758_zpsacmysghs.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150507_112448_zpsnoc2w68p.jpg
gave the engine a clean at the front and paint
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150507_150727_zpsttlxll7l.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150507_202929_zpsoqgweevp.jpg
tried to reform the missing bits
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150509_112134_zpscqq6rmb9.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150509_112142_zpsk6xcyw4s.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150520_103951_zpssu3pjoo6.jpg
new front panel on!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150520_130325_zpsbnrotlfl.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150520_143330_zps9qbs4pxe.jpg
a proud moment!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150520_175027_zpsr71g4uuc.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150520_204135_zpsngpdxdeh.jpg

[chris862]

Inner arches, needed some work
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150526_104650_zpsthfda3wa.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150526_104704_zps7onmbqxs.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150527_184239_zpsxtjbdph2.jpg
made a nice sculpture in the garden!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150527_190737_zpszehbx889.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150528_174526_zps2euvpuc1.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150530_103457_zps2zz5b6nn.jpg
re shaped the damaged lower wing
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150530_125154_zpshxniib1l.jpg
got her up and running!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150604_110350_zpsgzncxuat.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150604_110609_zpsz8w9trff.jpg

:thumb:

[chris862]

to make a start on the back
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150605_161548_zpsqy3hi2zb.jpg
some weakness near the rear suspension, bugger!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150608_133722_zpsgdilf7ln.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150608_133752_zpsdocqcibj.jpg
my attempt at strengthening lol
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150617_145328_zps6zxgvwso.jpg
hard to weld in there! I'm thinking rear coilovers might be an option
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150618_201334_zpscumde6qq.jpg
driverside a right state
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150623_112919_zpsve2hrhzt.jpg
let in some bits
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150623_142849_zpsmmbg7amv.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150624_165006_zpsfopedth6.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150624_191343_zpslzsjbojw.jpg
wheres I'm at now!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150626_111923_zpscibd0bsn.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150626_124849_zpsqrnkthvn.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150626_124901_zpszobnoyz4.jpg

[therealnovaboy]

good work, will live to fight another day no doubt. should see another 2000000, miles.
Make sure your steel is clean before welding it. some look touch and go to whether they have penetrated. Im sure itll be fine though.
Have you checked the floor where it meets the sill? I bet it needs a dose of weld to.

My nova was just about the same state as this. have a look http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?161185-My-1-6-8v-itb-nova/page15

[chris862]

Cheers fella! tried to clean the steel best I can I've been giving everything a good wack with the hammer after and it's all holding together so far, yea I've seen trouble behind the sills on the driverside, when the backs done thats next, currently making up inner arches :)

[millworm]

Good to see the work being done properly mate, some of them welds look a bit short of gas though.

[millworm]

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj141/millworm95/Screenshot_2015-07-07-20-37-04_zps5fsxre5a.png (http://s271.photobucket.com/user/millworm95/media/Screenshot_2015-07-07-20-37-04_zps5fsxre5a.png.html)

[chris862]

Ha! cheers for the pic , remember that day my gf left it unlocked there lol yes it started to get low as I was finishing the front, hope it will be ok!

[chris862]

Hopefully thats the boot area done
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150708_164601_zpsckh1adku.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150709_182216_zps3muczkba.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150709_182240_zps1989caqy.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150709_182153_zpspky6p0to.jpg
Inner arches next :)

[Southie]

Brilliant work on this, good job on re-fitting the new front end as there not the easiest of jobs getting the re aligned.

[chris862]

Cheers Southie! funny it's all been forgotten after all the pieces I've done at the rear lol

Inner arches
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150716_132636_zps1jcdfwhi.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150716_132527_zpsokyoroee.jpg
The bumper fixing holes - were putting me off as they seemed to be in the wrong place, so I went for panel fit :)
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150718_124519_zpsie6cs8t3.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150718_135510_zpssqxdejvb.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150718_161049_zps3en48dkj.jpg
Ready for the driverside
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150720_115345_zpsamcz8evy.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150720_123010_zpsrpcjvzyb.jpg
:thumb:

[TOZNOVA81]

Nice work mate, all the Nova's I've had over the years that have had the rear arches done whoever has done them has never done them properly and I've had to redo them :@ really fucks me off when people don't take their time to make a good job of it to get it right instead of making it look a kid on ketamine did the job.
top stuff dude ��

[totalnova]

Nice work mate, all the Nova's I've had over the years that have had the rear arches done whoever has done them has never done them properly and I've had to redo them :@ really fucks me off when people don't take their time to make a good job of it to get it right instead of making it look a kid on ketamine did the job.
top stuff dude ��

I totally agree I'm currently redoing the rear arch on mine that was supposedly done, except the previous owner forgot to do the inner wing and sill..... muppet

[chris862]

Cheers chaps! I'm not sure I've done the inner arch quite right, I got a feeling its meant to join at the outer arch lip with its own lip, I've tried to keep it simple and tacked it where it touches just above the lip, seam sealer will fix the rest! lol

[totalnova]

What I'm doing is punching holes in the wing lip and spot welding the two together then grinding it flat

[chris862]

Home straight now!
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150730_203106_zps1iux1rkk.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150731_111747_zpskqcejt7u.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150731_120401_zpskzt6dmdc.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150806_185829_zps5zejccsc.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab168/chrisyeg/noova/20150813_194158_zpsp1fekoxe.jpg
Going to fill in the bumper bracket holes as useless on my old bumpers :thumb:

[saloonwoody]

looking good fella but as said i think you still need a bit more gas ;)

[chris862]

Blew in the arches just to see the lines and fitted everything back together roughly thinking I'm getting there
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20150902_151706_zpscl37nh0i.jpg (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chrisyeg1/media/Nova/20150902_151706_zpscl37nh0i.jpg.html)
Wasn't expecting engine probs!
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20150902_091425_zpsamt3sbxm.jpg (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chrisyeg1/media/Nova/20150902_091425_zpsamt3sbxm.jpg.html)
Not touched it these 5months, just started occasionally and always been fine but it refused to start last week, had spark, fuel and compression, plugs out turned it over it blew out some smoke, finally fired after that! but not running quite right, got hot quite quick then without warning steam and water everywhere! top hose had burst, refitted another, cleaned all the carb jets, changed the leads, fitted a new fuel pump, seems to run a bit better but a little water coming out exhaust?
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20150915_144927_zps5sgsyhfv.jpg (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chrisyeg1/media/Nova/20150915_144927_zps5sgsyhfv.jpg.html)
thinking it has somehow blown a headgasket just sitting is puzzling! but no water in oil and no white smoke?
so quick run up the road to see how it performs warmed up properly, still a bit hesitant but no steam, and no more water in exhaust?
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20150916_094645_zpspxozy8ri.jpg (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chrisyeg1/media/Nova/20150916_094645_zpspxozy8ri.jpg.html)
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20150916_094631_zps5p87vi0m.jpg (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chrisyeg1/media/Nova/20150916_094631_zps5p87vi0m.jpg.html)
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20150916_095648_zpskma68hxf.jpg (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chrisyeg1/media/Nova/20150916_095648_zpskma68hxf.jpg.html)
plenty of bodywork to finish but quite pleased with the rear arches!
anyway top hose getting really hot, so going to remove the thermostat next thinking it might be the culprit, its all quite puzzling!

[chris862]

Well even with thermostat out still wasn't happy with the running, kept hesitating and cutting out, so head off to investigate..
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20151010_140728_zpsv0knyfkn.jpg
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20151010_143933_zpspoz4gzxp.jpg
Nothing obviously wrong, slight erosion near water channel on gasket, headskimmed only a few years back
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20151017_141449_zpsms4xvbzf.jpg
reground valves, new headgasket and back together
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20151018_120740_zpszt3smbhr.jpg
Seems to have solved it! running well, all good on test run, touch wood! :thumb:
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20150929_092602_zpsr1aptoz3.jpg
Ready for Mot.

[Jonesfach]

Nice one. :thumb:

[chris862]

As I've not updated the thread since 2015 thought it was about time!
Got her back on the road June 2016! and shes been ploughed back into daily duties since then :thumb:
Had a few carb related running probs at the beginning maybe just from not being used , but apart from that nothing major
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/13346359_10155023379919968_9173571662355443785_o_z psm69bgypf.jpg
Heres a load of pics from the past year!
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20160611_110729_zpsozdfzzit.jpg
Billing!
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20160716_112557_zpsmc6ntllw.jpg
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20160803_164430_zps8pitsexa.jpg
Sneeking it into various classic car shows ;)
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20160903_115240_zpsmiunfdyg.jpg
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20161122_133255_zpsevm1ouyw.jpg
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20161129_142611_zps5hc45cu7.jpg
Cardiff bay
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20161129_162017_zpslvkat0jh.jpg
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20161210_145008_zps8ktwf7of.jpg
Lugging stuff about!
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20161228_142111_zpshx9qrdpb.jpg
Cruisin'
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20161228_190114_zpspirsaz5d.jpg
Doing what it does best, racking up the miles!
http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah235/chrisyeg1/Nova/20170111_120917_zps4g9gasz3.jpg
Done over 200,000miles now lol
Winter has started to show areas which need attention, mainly the doors, more bodywork to do in the summer then!

[Will F]

Love it

[totalnova]

Wow 200,000 miles I don't think many Nova's have made it that far, most would have rusted away long before then. Good to see it being used every day. :thumb:

[Southie]

My favourite standard Nova is looking good still ;)

[chris862]

Haven't updated the old thread in a yr lol, Nova had a rest most of 2017 but has been back on daily duties again, new skinny tyres and brake caliper as it kept sticking :)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/914/41728358490_092154449c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26zoKbJ)20180602_204709 (https://flic.kr/p/26zoKbJ) by Chris D (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135881772@N05/), on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1788/28649278177_479e01c87f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KDD3h2)20180701_215431 (https://flic.kr/p/KDD3h2) by Chris D (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135881772@N05/), on Flickr
Really enjoyed the novas at Bruntingthorpe and the convoy to vboa!
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/852/41728354250_e00aa36cf8_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26zoHVC)DSC_0550 (https://flic.kr/p/26zoHVC) by Chris D (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135881772@N05/), on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/28649267977_7a0a658b6f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KDCZfa)DSC_0619 (https://flic.kr/p/KDCZfa) by Chris D (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135881772@N05/), on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1802/42631830165_e67851ba6b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27XegQz)DSC_0653 (https://flic.kr/p/27XegQz) by Chris D (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135881772@N05/), on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1808/42819325224_7d4f8d0499_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28eNeA1)DSC_0852 (https://flic.kr/p/28eNeA1) by Chris D (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135881772@N05/), on Flickr
it's just clocked over at 206,500 miles!

[woodygte]

Wow, what can I say that is one of the best Threads I have read.
Well done on all your work. You should be proud of yourself.
So need to get my GTE back on the road it's been stood 14 yrs !