Workshop/Project car going ons. The (owner needs a) Miracle (for this) Maestro

[JMotor]

Oh yeah, why not have a bit of fun with it. 

I wanted to get the cat back on it. Save me doing the day before the test 😂.

[JMotor]

This seems familiar... 

The clutch was becoming very juddery. With not a lot of travel left when engaging the clutch. It was like an on off switch to me. 

This car has a solid bellhousing gearbox, this requires the subframe out and gearbox oot of the away. Normally an easy job, just bulky crap to heave about. 

Car had other ideas. The centre pin for the gear selector arm can give bother. More so if its never been out. Steel pin, alloy 'box mount. 

This one would not come out. Gave that idea up and just pinned the gear lever along with the selector on top of the gearbox. Just so I can realign the linkage with less hassle. I have smashed a mount once trying to remove a pin years ago. 

That's what I found when I took the clutch out. The friction disc was worn, the flywheel and pressure plate were VERY polished. Oooh bugger. 

I'm gonna look for a good second hand flywheel, as getting to someone for a resurface isn't easy for me.

Whatever happens, I'll have the car sorted anyway. As it's taking up space sat as it is.

[Split_Pin]

Plenty breakers on the FB pages which would yield a flywheel no doubt. Good work on this 👍

[JMotor]

14 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Plenty breakers on the FB pages which would yield a flywheel no doubt. Good work on this 👍

Cheers 🙂.

A pal reckons he's got a flywheel from a Cavalier he broke years ago. Fingers crossed he still has it.

EDIT- Aye, naw he doesnae hae yin. Ach well, no to worry. Plan B.

[JMotor]

Finally finished the clutch job on the Cavalier. Took longer due to pissing about with other peoples cars or no motivation. 

Once the gearbox was in, I got everything assembled and gearbox filled with fresh oil. Then had to tackle the issues I found while taking it apart. Gear linkage pivot pin was replaced and found a missing bolt from the downpipe to exhaust manifold join.

So took that off with next to no fuss. Pre-soaked the manifold nuts and they all came off. No studs came out either!

Kinda wishing I didn't need to take the downpipe off. Wasn't leaking at all, oh well. Slight bodge done by tapping the M8 sized hole out to M10. 

Then just a case of bolting everything back together and getting it back down on the ground. Much improved clutch action now. Last photo, is me messing with the new phone I got.

[GMcD]

Well done man, great effort. It will be like night and day with the new clutch! 

[Split_Pin]

Super work as always John, will need to get the 2 AS Scottish Cavs together at some point!

[JMotor]

15 hours ago, GMcD said:

Well done man, great effort. It will be like night and day with the new clutch! 

Thanks Gerry! 

Feels like it's got a biting point again 😆. It's a nice feeling to continue on the good work that has already been done to it.

15 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Super work as always John, will need to get the 2 AS Scottish Cavs together at some point!

Cheers Ian.

Yes, that does need to happen!

 

*Sorry, I'd been trying to reply back in since last night!*

[JMotor]

Been a bit quiet on the car front.

Then found something on an FB Nova group. It was cheap and local.

Looks ok in the photos, but it's properly ripe. We manged to rip the rear towing eye out by hand! Just about every area is badly rotted, hell even the roof was rusty. Some one had covered it with vinyl to hide a dodgy repair that in turn caused damp to sit and cause patches of rust to form.

It'll provide parts for the three door and I might chuck up an advert just in case anyone has a want for any parts.

Laughed at the sticker too. Because it doesn't run worth a fuck with no choke!

[tom13]

29 minutes ago, JMotor said:

Been a bit quiet on the car front.

Then found something on an FB Nova group. It was cheap and local.

Looks ok in the photos, but it's properly ripe. We manged to rip the rear towing eye out by hand! Just about every area is badly rotted, hell even the roof was rusty. Some one had covered it with vinyl to hide a dodgy repair and it's cause damp to sit and cause patches of rust to form.

It'll provide parts for the three door and I might chuck up an advert just in case anyone has a want for any parts.

Laughed at the sticker too. Because it doesn't run worth a fuck with no choke!

Saw that on a numberplate about 15 years ago. I wanted a Nova just because I found the quote so amusing.

[JMotor]

A pal had on his "Insured, taxed and MOT'd, no need to pull me".

The Police did anyway 😆.

[brownnova]

4 hours ago, JMotor said:

I might chuck up an advert just in case anyone has a want for any parts.

I might well be interested when you do! Depending on what I actually decide I need for mine and what parts are interchangeable between hatch and saloon.

I also need that sticker for mine when it’s done 😂😂

[brownnova]

Just been on the for sale and seen you have 😂

[JMotor]

4 minutes ago, brownnova said:

I might well be interested when you do! Depending on what I actually decide I need for mine and what parts are interchangeable between hatch and saloon.

I also need that sticker for mine when it’s done 😂😂

I was gonna swap the tailgates over, but might be a fair bit of work for a sticker lol.

2 minutes ago, brownnova said:

Just been on the for sale and seen you have 😂

Yeah, I need to strip it and get it gone. A pal has kindly let me store it in his bit of the shed. Best I don't leave it too long!

[brownnova]

45 minutes ago, JMotor said:

Yeah, I need to strip it and get it gone. A pal has kindly let me store it in his bit of the shed. Best I don't leave it too long!

I have a list I’ve written, I’ll find it and see if there’s anything I think I can use, or I’ll wait until you post some bits you want rid of! 

[AnnoyingPentium]

*ahem*

I could have a bash at trying to reproduce those stickers using a computer and some swearing, or speaking nicely to graphic design friend...

[JMotor]

28 minutes ago, brownnova said:

I have a list I’ve written, I’ll find it and see if there’s anything I think I can use, or I’ll wait until you post some bits you want rid of! 

If you have a list, let me know and I can see from there if you want? Just about what is 5dr isn't of any use to me. 

 

27 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

*ahem*

I could have a bash at trying to reproduce those stickers using a computer and some swearing, or speaking nicely to graphic design friend...

Suspect it'll be a generic ebay special (edit- aye item https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290869973171 oan eBay is that exact yin). However, there is another couple of stickers that might interest you. The old runs on unleaded ones are still there.

[AnnoyingPentium]

18 minutes ago, JMotor said:

However, there is another couple of stickers that might interest you. The old runs on unleaded ones are still there.

Oooooh, will have to pop down for a look eventually! I'd throw one of those "runs on unleaded" ones on the Duster for a laugh.

[JMotor]

On 7/31/2023 at 5:05 PM, AnnoyingPentium said:

Oooooh, will have to pop down for a look eventually! I'd throw one of those "runs on unleaded" ones on the Duster for a laugh.

She's tooned fur unleaded hai! 😆

Think this yin will have tae bugger aff rapid. As it's no in my bay at the moment. 

Mind you moving it will be easy enough when it's in the dust pan! 🫤

Easily the most rotten Nova I've owned.

[JMotor]

Still been quiet with projects. 

Been busy with other shit and been away last week on holiday.

Spent a few days up in Forres. Great run out for the Altezza, which never put a foot wrong. Ok, couple of niggles. Drivers seat sucks to be in after a couple of hours and my right foot was sare from being stuck in one place. Fixable problems.

Glad it got me there and back. Was happy on the motorways/dual carriageways and fun to drive on more twisty roads like the one from Grantown to Forres. 

Had to get a photo next to Sueno's stone in the town as a throwback to when I used to live there and did laps of the town in various shit heaps.

Will see if I can be bothered this weekend to start back on the cars again. Kinda in the mood to fuck a few cars off after a spell away.

[JMotor]

Made time today to sort the track rod ends in the Cavvy. Easy, right?

Except it's an auld Cavvy... 

Forgotten they are a swine to do! The steering arms are a dog shit design. The threaded bit is in perfect bit to get washed with the road crap.

Getting them out of the strut is a fucker too. Hitting the strut to break the taper doesn't work. Pressed steel arms that squish and you still can't get them out. Various spitters and a four pound hammer were deployed.

Got the passenger side one built. From another spare arm I had laying about. The adjuster thread in the original would not budge at all. 

I like to have the adjusters freed off so it's less hassle to get it tracked. Remember being told years ago folk will not touch one unless it's been apart and free to move.

Gave up in the drivers side (that was the rotten one pictured above), saved the arm but the adjuster was fucked. The hex in the middle was all about gone. 

Lucky for me, a pal who is also into these shitty Vauxhalls had hoarded a few steering arms and has a clean drivers one in stock. I'll strip it down and make sure it's free to move. 

Looking back I should of just built a pair of spare arms to just swap over. It'd of been less hassle.

I also have put the car up for sale. However, I will need to keep the Cav for a little longer. Found a place who can paint the Altezza! The peeling roof and bonnet have bugged me since I got the car. Good opportunity to get that spolier painted as well.

[JMotor]

New track rod ends installed.

Even washed the car, cleaned out all lovely. Didn't take any pictures though! 

Whatta donut! 😆

[JMotor]

Been a wee bit busy this weekend.

Cavalier sold yesterday. New owner is coming for it in a few weeks. Which is fine, as the car is booked in for tracking. 

This got me thinking what else I should get rid of.

Yeah, lost the notion for it. As it's close, but it needs paint, glass and time. If I'm gonna put that effort in then it should be the Astra Saloon I've had for years.

For the craic though. I got a seat flung in it and took it a small drive about the sheds. Instantly got a fright, as I forgot to check if the suspension was done up properly! 😆

Small part of me is also thinking about moving the Nova on too. Again it's for the above reasons and the room would be great too.

Think it'll do my head some good too. Can be more focused with less cars. 

Plus, I ended up buying an effin Maestro too 😆!

More on that soon.

[GeordieInExile]

What odd timing, I've just been reading about the Ledbury Maestros. Looks ace* in that red. 

 

*Relatively speaking.

[JMotor]

Yes, it does appear to be the most flattering* colour for one.

It was either the red or level expert doom blue you see the most of. Not as many white or black cars floating about.

 

[GMcD]

3 hours ago, JMotor said:

 

 

Loving the sunstrip! 😁

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, GMcD said:

Loving the sunstrip! 😁

They were such a THING, but quite short lived. I got parental approval as had my (first) gf's name on the n/s of my Imp Californian.

[JMotor]

Things happened.

Tried to sell Corsa. Fitted Bilstein coilovers and refit 15's instead. Decided (again) finish it now, need to pull finger out. 

Tried to sell Nova. No bites... Yet.

Then Maestro arrived. 

I suck at getting rid of stuff. May part out the Nova and sell the rolling shell a bit cheaper to move it on. I'm just not going to get round to doing it. Maestro can be the fun/annoying retro, as it is on the road!

Toyota has been with me long enough to need another MOT. Ahhh, bollocks that on the 3rd! 

[JMotor]

Little more on the Maestro. 

Went about the site. It's a nippy little bugger. Fires up near instantly and runs sweet.

It's way better than I thought. Went in with low expectations, because of what it is. But pleasantly surprised, it's not that terrible at all.

Think it's the law to take photos of a new purchase?

That has to be the most amount of room I've seen in an engine bay!

The not so gooder parts. Yeah, it's been subjected to some interesting repairs. That means I'll have something to update this thread with as I pick through it.

Ahhh... Also have a "slight" issue with the arches. I'll do a separate post for that.

[JMotor]

These are not going to be fun to fix. 

Did get a pair of wings thrown in. So I've got metal to play with. 

"I'll just open the boot and see what I've got. Ah! Shit, that's not ideal"

Got plastic bumper ones and they are almost too good to chop up.

Fuck it!

I'll not poke the bear for the moment. I'll look into it next year, inners will definitely need done too. That doesn't worry me. As long it's metal back in there, nae one will ken how I made them once the sealer and gravitex is over it. 

Those shite mudflaps are getting thrown tae fuck in aw! Rust causing bastards!