1982 Lada Niva

Last few days i've been very busy but every day i've been using every spare hour to get the little niva put together. I've managed to press in all the new bushing for the front end. Also i've bought me new neck and fittings for my mig welder. Also some more new parts for the little niva arrive from Bulgaria. Pressing in the new bushings wasn't easy, it took everything my DIY 25t press had.
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LIKE - for all you have posted in the last few pages, I've been away from here for a while but missed keeping track of you and your little Niva, you never cease to amaze me.
 
Today, i started on the lift kit for the little niva. Started grounding the spacers that i've made, making sure the spring seat fits flat and it will keep the spring as straight as possible at the new ride height. After i installed it all few times and measured, i decided i need to weld the spacers to the spring seat. I also need to weld the anti roll bar mounts lower to match the new ride height. With all that figured out i started cleaning out the engine bay, i need to start installing the big pieces.
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Today i spent few hours clinging the engine bay, removed the old engine mounts then strapped the gearbox to my engine hoist and the struggles begoun. the gearbox isn't too heavy but because of my injured back i had to use jacks and livers to move it in place. I decided to do it this way because with the engine attach is just too heavy for my back to move it even on the hoist. The braided hose on the left is a breather hose for the gearbox, i'll be relocating them to the air cleaner. The most difficult part was having to re drill the mounting holes they wore about 10mm to the front. I had to do that laying on my back, that hurt really bad.
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Take it easy on that back my friend. It's the only one you have. I know the feeling, you have stuff to get done. I went through the same kind of thing when I crushed a vertebra. Was in a hard plastic brace from my waist to under my chin, and was cutting, and helping install 130lb, 4x12x5/8 sheet rock in the shop. Pretty good chance that's the reason it took 2 1/2 years for it to finally heal. Don't know if you have anyone locally that does Rolfing, but it worked wonders for me. Cheers, Mike
 
GoceKU said:
Today i spent few hours clinging the engine bay, removed the old engine mounts then strapped the gearbox to my engine hoist and the struggles begoun. the gearbox isn't too heavy but because of my injured back i had to use jacks and livers to move it in place. I decided to do it this way because with the engine attach is just too heavy for my back to move it even on the hoist. The braided hose on the left is a breather hose for the gearbox, i'll be relocating them to the air cleaner. The most difficult part was having to re drill the mounting holes they wore about 10mm to the front. I had to do that laying on my back, that hurt really bad.
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Great progress but may I suggest calling in one of the bazillion favors your brother and other family members owe you for fixing their turds projects (continually)? I've had 3 hernia operations as a result of trying to overdo. It's tough to ask for help (pride?) but in the long run your back will thank you.

Bruce
 
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Mike, thank you for the kind words and the kind advice. I've been taking this injury very seriously from the start, but at the end of the day i have to go to work, i must produce. Its a different environment, different health care system. I looked it up, "Rolfing" i don't think no hospital is practicing but i'll ask around.
 
BGHansen said:
Great progress but may I suggest calling one of the bazillion favors your brother and other family members owe you for fixing their turds projects (continually)? I've had 3 hernia operations as a result of trying to overdo. It's tough to ask for help (pride?) but in the long run your back will thank you.
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No it's not pride at all at stake, it's their incompetence, i'm planning on calling a friend when inserting the engine.
 
BGHansen said:
family members owe you for fixing their turds projects
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Bruce, you've got that right, and funny thing the Skoda ( white elephant) multiplied. Yeah, my brother showed up with an another one.
 
GoceKU said:
Bruce, you've got that right, and funny thing the Skoda ( white elephant) multiplied. Yeah, my brother showed up with an another one.
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I should have kept my mouth shut. . . .
 
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