The Nova

[Unicorn]

ok, so i aint posted in here before because Sy has only thingied me today, so theres quite alot to do...

I bought the nova in the last month or two, and with full vauxhall service history and only 50K on the clock it was pretty much a bargain, this is one of the pictures i got sent of what it looked like, it was one of the best ones i got...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/100_1824.jpg

the headgasket had gone on it, it needed a new one, so we trailored it back from Yorkshire...

within a few hours of getting the car in my garage it was up and running...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0232.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0233.jpg

yes the engine did start with all the wires and pipes hanging everywhere :lol:

so after the engine got running i thought id take the bumper and lights out and give it a good t-cut and sort any rust out, so i did, i took the bumper off, the lights out and anything else that could cover rust, prepped it and sprayed it, lucky enough white is a very easy colour to work with :wink:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0241.jpg

After doing this i noticed how gash the original doorcards were, so gave them a retrim, this is the before...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0247.jpg

and after, im currently after some GSI door handles, as they're black and would suit the doorcards better..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0246.jpg

I decided the engine needed a rebuild, its currently getting machine work done on it by a good friend of mine, so there will be pictures coming up along with spec 8)

This was when i stripped the engine, i cracked tested it by putting water in it and leaving it overnight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0266.jpg

While the engines getting work done i've started sorting the rust out on the arch and cleaned the car, someone decided it'd be a good idea to prime the whole bottom half, i was tempted to cheat and put GSI sideskirts on it, this is the before..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0267.jpg

i've only done the arch at the moment, its pretty much finished now though

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0389.jpg

[Unicorn]

while the engines been away i've done some work on the wiring and hidden it in the engine bay, its pretty much all done, it just needs somewhere to hold the wires up in the arch :lol: lucky enough the old injection setup had clips to hold the hoses in place so most is taken care off...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0407.jpg

this is the only wiring in the bay

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0408.jpg

when the engines in you wont see the starter motor wiring as it'll be hidden under the inlet manifold, i just need to extend the starter motor switch.

and the pistons

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0411.jpg

they've now got new piston rings fitted, and the new shell bearings and cam followers, you may notice the pistons have a round silver mark on the crowns, thats a recess thats been put in because the block and cylinder head has had so much work the pistons actually hit the spark plug :oops:

[Unicorn]

so the engine makes its return, im now just waiting on the crankshaft, flywheel and clutch cover to make its return from being lightened and balanced, i put the pistons in first...then took a photo,,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0413.jpg

and this is how it stands now :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Unicorn007/nova/DSCF0414.jpg