Got a couple of things done later on this afternoon, though not as productive as I'd really hoped to be. Have identified a show on Sunday that I might try to get over to - if I get a decent job done tomorrow getting the Lada cleaned up. She's filthy and needs a polish/wax just now.
I did however *finally* get around to actually fitting the wheel centre covers to the rear wheels - it's only taken me five months to remember to do it.
Next on the list was the white sticky tape covering the hole in the offside front wing which had been there since a kid from the school around the corner decided to poke it as they walked past one day. It was driving me mad because it was so obvious. Not half as obvious as the hole when you pulled the tape off though!
In case you wondered *why* they always rot out here, this should give you a clue.
Several factors. Firstly that these cars were never fitted with any wheel arch liners from the factory so crud always accumulates in the top corner over the headlight. Secondly, that little ledge on the inner wing means that even if you're a conscientious owner who keeps the car clean as you can, you're never going to get everything out of there without some specialised hose-end attachment to get right into the corner. It's also the thinnest part of the panel due to the way it's pressed I imagine.
Now I thought I had some filler floating around - but it had turned to rock some time in the distant past. Hmm says me...and resorted to some cardboard, more duct tape, then threw a bit of paint at it (and Dinitrol on the underside to keep the damp out). Seriously - it's a purely cosmetic repair and the wings are going to be replaced as soon as possible...so yes, it's a horrendous bodge, but that's all it needs to be! At least it looks slightly less blindingly obvious from ten paces.
Next my attention turned to another item on the to do list - checking/topping up the gearbox oil. Which brings me to a problem. How on earth are you meant to get this filler plug out?!?
It's a 12mm hex head, but there is literally an inch of clearance between it and the edge of the transmission tunnel...and none of the hex bit combinations I have will physically fit in the gap. I thought the Allen key in the toolkit was intended for this purpose...but it's still too long...
While I was down there I decided to take a look at the clutch slave cylinder as the fluid level hasn't dropped visibly since I topped it up a few weeks ago. It's definitely still weeping, so is on the to do list.
Nice to see that the rubber boot over the clutch operating lever is still there, they've usually vanished by this point in time.
