1994 Cavalier LSi C20NE (was C18NZ) Work-horse

[Envoy CDX]

If I thought that Mandy wouldn't skin me alive after what I spent on it, it would have been with you a couple of years ago - lol.

I am not sure if that is a chance I am willing to take or not.

[Robsey]

Nope - she can be a volatile little minx.
Yeesh!!

[Envoy CDX]

I had to try

[cavalier1990]

Ah yes Andrew,
I remember you saying about the shelf.

To be honest the plain shelf fits much better than the headrest version.
The headrests bars press into the top of the backrests

Jjust having a quick read through your thread Rob, I meant to reply to this a while ago, the shelf I have is just the plain one. James got the straps off it though.

[Robsey]

No worries Andrew.
I have perfectly good straps on my 'repaired' load area cover.

As usual, I do not know whether to revert to original LS spec without hearests, or to have the headrests to coincide with the SRi seats.

I spend far too much time being indecisive, and achieving nothing.

[Envoy CDX]

No worries Andrew.
I have perfectly good straps on my 'repaired' load area cover.

As usual, I do not know whether to revert to original LS spec without hearests, or to have the headrests to coincide with the SRi seats.

I spend far too much time being indecisive, and achieving nothing.

Do you carry people in the rear? Do you ever use the rear seats?
No? - make it easy on yourself

[cavalier1990]

No worries Andrew.
I have perfectly good straps on my 'repaired' load area cover.

As usual, I do not know whether to revert to original LS spec without hearests, or to have the headrests to coincide with the SRi seats.

I spend far too much time being indecisive, and achieving nothing.

Do you carry people in the rear? Do you ever use the rear seats?
No? - make it easy on yourself

Was thinking of taking the back seats out my car, just added weight and no one ever in the back. Knowing my luck i'll take them out and end up people wanting lifts or something!

[Robsey]

The seat will also provide a large amount of heat and sound insulation.
So consider whether the weight of the seating is that much of an issue.

The seat back and bench seat are not as heavy as the front seats.
Just a thought....

[Envoy CDX]

I was meaning if remove the headrests rather than the rear seats, but can see the leap.

[Robsey]

It's okay Gary.

It is Andrew who is thinking of removing the seats.
I like my peace and quiet, so my seats will be remainlng firmly fitted.

[3cav3]

I can vouch for the lack of rear seats making it noisy having driven a van almost daily for the last 12 years.

[cavalier1990]

It's not something I think I would actually do mind you, just a mad notion I got. I used to drive cars with no interiors and a tyre for a seat in the workshops back in the day. That was for water leak detection purposes. this was 1990s Fords so lots of water leak work! A tyre for a seat made for interesting kangaroo type driving round the yard!

[Envoy CDX]

It's okay Gary.

It is Andrew who is thinking of removing the seats.
I like my peace and quiet, so my seats will be remainlng firmly fitted.

[ilovedmymantas]

As usual, I do not know whether to revert to original LS spec without hearests, or to have the headrests to coincide with the SRi seats.

For my tuppence worth, do you need the extra couple of inches in height in the load area space that's afforded by the plain one?
If not I'd stick with the headrests, the car looks better with them than without

[Robsey]

Only a brief mention of the jalopy today.
Yesterday we had a random knock at the door.

A local oik had popped round to see if "the old Cavalier" was mine, and if it was for sale.
In my snobbery I quickly stated that the Cavalier was mine, and it was NOT for sale.

He MAY have breathed new life and enthusiasm into the Cav, but despite it being stood mostly untouched for four years, I could not bear the idea of someone else having their greasey mitts on my car.

As usual, my heart ruled my head.

I really should get it back on the road for 1st August 2024... it's 30th Birthday


-----------------

Just as an update, whilst looking online for the 'cross rail' for the right side of the Cavalier, I have noticed that the panel supplier Carz2 has closed its web-shop.

A lot of the Klokkerholm parts seem to have become 'out of stock' from many suppliers.

Looks like I will need to do some digging around for a right hand jacking point (cross rail was never the correct term in my book).

[ilovedmymantas]

As usual, my heart ruled my head.

That's the nature of the enthusiast . I've only ever needed one car and every one i've owned was kept going as long as possible thinking I would drive it forever (apart from my first car, a 1600 mk1 cav saloon, that was crap!).
I've justified it by comparing what it would cost to buy a newer car( with all the weird credit options) compared to maintaining the cav. The cav wins hands down for me so my heart and my head are winning

I really should get it back on the road for 1st August 2024... it's 30th Birthday

If you do you and Mandy could come up to Scotland. The lez's exempt thirty year olds

[3cav3]

Several times a year I get pikeys knocking on my door wanting to buy the cav for scrap, even when it's tax and motd. Its hidden from view from the road so I usually ask them what they are doing poking about to see it. The last couple of times though I said yes it is for sale for £20,000. Take it or leave it. And that usually gets rid of them.You shouldn't have to get pestered for any old car every time scrap goes high.

[Envoy CDX]

Aye, if that gets sold I want first dibs Rob

Hopefully it gets the old mojo working and the car is roadworthy again soon, just keep an eye out.

[Robsey]

You know, that you would be one of the few people that I would consider selling the Cav to.

I am sure that I have offered before.
Between bouts of guilt due to leaving the car to rot.

I can only afford to work on one vehicle at a time.
But I know that I would kick myself if I saw an empty space in it's usual parking space.
Selfish?.. perhaps.
If the Manchester LEZ is applied, then it may sway my way of thinking.
It is still free to keep it as an ornament - lol

[Envoy CDX]

I know, and if I had my way I'd still have FOG's kicking about, just wasn't meant to be.
You have previously offered but I couldn't (financially) do the work and investment justice and thus wouldn't even offend you by suggesting it (without it being tongue in cheek anyhow). I do want to see it on the road again, but I appreciate that you have limitations (I think we all do in this day and age).

[Robsey]

I finally made a start...

I was a little dis-heartened to find this.
But considering how much rain we've had, and how long it is since I last looked inside the car, I presume this is mainly condensation.



It only took one wipe with a typical micro-fibre cloth to mop it up - so not a total nightmare.



First job, was to refit the sound-deadening foam.
You would be surprised how thick it is.

I also had to re-pack the wiring into the driver's footwell,
And fit the kick panel covers.



Bizarrely, the front carpets were not in the car, so I could not fit them today.
Ah well - I know the car will fail the planned MOT due to rust in both front crossmembers.
So the carpets would need to come out for welding repairs anyway.

The seats look like a white animal has been living in the car.



We have had dogs, but they very rarely got in the car within the three years that the car had been on the road.
The car will need a proper scrub and clean both inside and out.

Final job was to rip out all the old bluetooth and USB wiring, and refit the glovebox.

It almost looks pretty good.



And the final photo.
The Polar Sea Blue paint seems to be trying to change to Jungle Green... okay - Lichen Green - lol.



Outstanding work is to fit a battery, top up the coolant and put in some fuel.
The Cavalier has always lost coolant despite replacing the radiator and header tank, and checking for leaks previously.
After four years, the header tank was completely empty.

For the MOT, I still need to fit the Catalytic converter, and I plan to fit my refurbished gear-linkage mechanism.
They have been sat inside the car for a couple of years, joined last year by my prepared left front cross member repair panel.

[Robsey]

It was nice to get back into working on my Cav.
I have missed how easy they are to rebuild.

It is also nice to post about a Cavalier, rather than a VW van or the Vectra.

[Envoy CDX]

Nice to see some progress on this Rob. shout up if you need parts alright?

[Robsey]

Cheers Gary,
Hopefully the car is more or less complete.

All major parts should be present and correct, so if I am missing anything, it will probably be just small plastic trims.
But many thanks for your very kind offer dear chap.

[Robsey]

I had a listing of jobs from 2020 on my notes app in my phone.
I was glad to see that I had done quite a few of them,
but after a quick check through, I found a few more.

Here we go - enough to see the year out, as soon as I can turn the car into a rolling project - after the mot that is.

Many are optional,
Some need to be done for the MOT,
and some are jobs that just need finishing off.

1a - Refit the headlamp rubber strips as they should be.
(There is a query to revert back to standard headlamps and indicators).
1b - Fit Halos via a relay (as they should be).
1c - Repair / rewire side repeaters

2a - Replace faulty oil pressure sender.
2b - Repair alternator charge wire.

3a - Clean breather pipes and filter
3b - Fit Catalytic Converter
3c - Replace rubber fuel hoses
3d - Fit refurbished gear linkage.

4a - Straighten / tidy roof lining
4b - Fit under-dash covers
4c - Repair sunroof cover springs
4d - Seat rail end caps.
4e - Repair front passenger door card - there are no upper fixings.

5a - Rewire DVR to delete cig lighter plug
5b - Convert cig lighter to USB sockets

6 - Fit CDC40, DAB, CID, UHP4 and loom.

7a - Complete wiring for Scorpion SA30.
(Hatch, bonnet and door locking wires).
7b - Complete or remove Megamos ATWS
(Sounder and indicator flashers).
(plus Deadlock and Full Closure).
7c - Repair faulty / sticking central locking.
7d - Fit passenger solenoid to driver's door

8a - Fit hydraulic bonnet lifters
8b - Re-seat the rear bumper - it is drooping at the left wheel arch.

9a - Clean / replace brake pipe o/s wing
9b - Fit rear disc brake conversion

10 - Replace rusted-out Outer Reinforcers (front cross members).


I am sure there is probably more stuff that I have simply forgotten about.