1982 Lada Niva

[GoceKU]

Today i continue using any spare time i have to work on the little niva. I started with putting the interior back together, i had to pull back the floor mats to drill the new holes and before that i removed the boots around the shift livers. Than i looked at the preparing the gearbox to accept the engine, i chosen the fork that was in best shape, also compered the old original 39 year old release bearing with the used one i'll be installing, i bet that made a noise to were down that much. Then i painted the steel mounts in the bay because the factory paint has washed off and installed new (upgraded) engine mounts. The mounts are from a VW diesel and they are oil filled so they should provide quieter ride. Last thing i did is to attach chains to the engine so i can hoist it in place, but that will be on another day.

 

[GoceKU]

Well i'm waiting on help to arrive so i can install the engine, but in the meanwhile i managed to finish fixing the lift kit and weld it in. The parts look terrible now, a coat of paint will help that.

 

[GoceKU]

I've waited long enough, so today after work i attached and hoisted the engine in the engine by, mid way thru my father come. He helped by watching but it's hard to help when you don't know what too look for. I wanted to install oil filled engine mounts from an audi, they are a bit taller but because they are so soft i thought they can fit. But i was wrong, i spent more than 2 hours and without cutting and welding the steel mount they won't fit. So i installed the original ones, at the end i hurried up to give the front diff pressure washing it was extremely dirty and still has lots of grime but the degrissre and pressure washer took off couple of kg of grime. The weather has become tropical hot yesterday i've seen 50 degrees celsius in the city center, thankfully the 607aircon is working good. But it's getting too hot to work outside, even in the garages going in and out i get dizzy from the temp difference.

 

[GoceKU]

With the 206 out for scrap, i've got some room to do some work. Started with the tash of degreeing the adjustable camshaft gear that i made. I managed to get it right whare the factory specs are, i'll be changing this once i have a base line. Then i adjusted the valves, used some marking paint to mark the bolts on the cam gear. Then i installed new valve cover gasket and sealed the engine. Then i started installing the external parts, like coolant neck, pump intake and exhaust manifold, fuel pump carburetor, stub the distributor. I did as much work as i could from the top side, next i have a full day work from the underside.

 

[GoceKU]

After months of sitting the little niva did not assembled itself. So today i spent the very little time i had to spare to do some work. I started with the front suspension, clean off the dust from sitting, gave them one more coat with anti rust acide, and left them to dry. In that time i got down to assemble the clutch cylinder, after i finish this task i started on the exhaust, i installed the down pipe. Doing this i noticed i need to bolt down the shield for the fly wheel. Finished the shield attached the grounding cable and began preparing the front diff for mounting, had to look for the bolts because it's been so long since it come apart. With that finished i got back on the front suspension whipped down the castings and mixed up some grey undercoating, i had to reduce it so i can apply it with a paint gun. I apply 3 coats on all the suspension parts. Not the most productive day but small tasks seem to take longer sometimes.

 

[GoceKU]

Today i spent half a day working on the little niva. Try to install the front driveshaft but it was too painful so i decided i'll do it on the inspection pit once i get it driving, it has a locking centre diff it can drive on the back only. Then i install new oil seals on the front axles assemble them and bilted them to the front diff. With that finished i focused on the drivers side suspension, installed the upper A arm then the lower i cover the bolts with grease installed the spring, new shock absorber and spindle. Then the difficult part come, i have no way to compress the spring my spring compressors hit the frame so i had to load up the chassis and use couple of hydraulic jacks to compress it. Good thing it has steel bumpers i can load it easy, it also loaded inside. It doesn't help that i made a lift kit that adds more load to the spring. Then i assemble the steering and brakes, i have new brakes to install but i didn't use them just in the interest of time so i can get it on wheel. With that drives side is assembled, i only have the the axle installed on the passenger side. I hope i have some spare time tomorrow to get it assembled and back on its wheels.

 

[GoceKU]

Today after weeks of not having a moment to spare i managed to spare an hour. Started with cleaning up transfering my tools to the other side, then brought some of the new to this niva tires and mounted a tire to the drivers side, more for stability. I'll be compressing the spring on the other side so i also loaded that side even more. I clean off all the bolts, and mounded the upper a arm and had to stop because i needed to check the white elephant No: 3.

 

[GoceKU]

Today i finally managed to find some free time to get some work done on the little niva. Started with the passenger side suspension with being loaded down it went together quickly. Then come the task of unloading all the tires and steels that i put inside and on top to weigh it down. After that i install a tire on the passenger side and put it down on all 4 wheels. It's been more than a year now since its been on all 4 wheels. With the front lifted its a bit nose up but i'll be raising the back too. With the front lifted it's a bit nose up but i'll be raising the back too, but first i need to get it running. Now on the ground i look more complete but it needs lots of small tasks that take lots of time.

 

[RandyWilson]

The first 90% of a job takes 90% of the time. The final 10% of the job takes the other 90%.

 

[GoceKU]

last few days i've been doing some work on the little niva, mainly the fuel system. I started with a pre filter, then a new electric fuel pump, connected to the mechanical pump then a fine fuel filter and to the carburator. Also finished the ignition system, have not adjusting the timing just stab the distributor with the rotor pointing to cylinder no: 1 at tdc.