*How To* Replace a Complete Front Panel
This is a guide on how to change a complete front panel on a nova,
Befor this, I was worried about cutting the engine out with out any bracing to hold the two inner wings together, but this was not needed and the engine supported its self ok with out moving.
I was also told to make measurements of where things sat, but I didn’t do any of this. As the panel can only go in one place. We did how ever just looked at some gaps and kind of reference points in our heads for the new panel
Tools needed:
Welder
Grinder with cutting and grinding discs
Drill, with 10mm drill bit or spot weld drill bit.
Either nitromorse or a wire wheel attachment
A set of cold chisels, these are essential
Sockets: 17mm, 15mm, 13mm, 10mm, 8mm and I needed a 7mm for one of my jublie clips. Also either a double of the above sockets or a spanner for the nut.
Pliers, wire cutters and general screwdrivers
HAMMER
Mole grips
And if you want to do it how we did it, a fat **** petrol saw AKA a paddy saw
Buy the front panel, I bought a pattern part for about 50 quid I think, it was a while ago, and I also painted it up before I fitted it. Some people would disagree with this, but I think it’s a good idea. I had slight worries about the fitting of this, but all was well
The start
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...4.jpg~original
Strip all the bits of the front, including the radiator, bumpers, lights, indicators, wings. I struggled a tiny bit getting the radiator out with the engine in. but managed it.
You should be left with something like this
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5.jpg~original
Minus the wings. And also that picture shows the way I got the radiator out, coming upwards.
Find a man, with a big saw and cut out the middle bit on the front panel, this aids getting to the spot welds