14/06/2026
Republic Rescue:
When was the last time you saw a Zastava Yugo 511 on the road?
If it was this particular one, it would have been 19 years ago in 2007 when this was last on the road!
Obviously anyone reading this is already thinking rust, rust rust but, not in this case! Having spent this time off the road in a cosy garage, other than some dings, dents and occasional scab, this Yugo needed no new metal 🤘
After removing, cleaning out, treating the fuel tank to a fresh coat of raptor and a new fuel pump, the fuel system was good to go.
New oil and filter, spark plugs and a cambelt etc, and 10 mins later the engine was running!
A bit of a top end tap was present and needed investigating but, other than regular running gear, absolutely everything else seemed fine.
New brakes all round (master cylinder, caliper, wheel cyls, hoses etc), rear suspension arms, track control arms and the running gear was sorted.
Engine tapping turned out to be a worn cam lobe on #4 exhaust valve.
So off came the cam box and cylinder head whereby the top end was fully reconditioned after sourcing a genuine NOS camshaft for it. All the valves also correctly shimmed.
With the head off, the core plugs were replaced, new water pump, thermostat and hoses to sort the cooling system.
The sump was removed and bottom end bearings and journals checked - all ok. A new oil pump was installed as well just for good measure.
Once rebuilt, the engine was now lovely and quiet and eager to be revved as these Fiat engines just love!
The bodywork was given a good mop and polish and brought back to life with new number plates as the finishing touch.
A clean pass MOT was then acquired along with 5 new tyres and refurbished wheel trims and now ready for years of motoring again.
And as Sam Fox once advised "Wally, you should have gone to Swithland Motors and bought a Yugo" (Google it 😂)
Matt @ RR
