H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Not really a build but here is where we start... I've had a long run with my kids in jr dragsters and we're 1 season away from being totally aged out. Last season we decided to run NHRA divisionals since D2 opened it up to the kids just to see where we might land in the future. My kid isn't a dragster person so we knew a door car was in order and since I am just as happy working on a combo as driving and the near future would have her limited on racing due to life getting in the way I felt Stock would be a cheap(er) way to get an introduction to class. We looked at what was out there for almost a year, I looked at cheap and she looked at 69 Camaros, no way was I jumping in the deep end with no life jacket so here is what we ended up with. '76 H-I-J Nova 165/275 I picked it up some months ago, we have been pouring over, changing a few things we felt necessary, I'll be chronicling that here as we go.
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Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Good luck, can't wait to see the progress.
I'm in the same boat, kid is in his last year of jr and will be going to a full size next year. probably a bracket car for him unless I can finish the mustang.(how many years have I said that??) Anyway, post lots of pictures for those of us living vicariously lol! |
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Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
So the first order of business was the roll bar, this car was built long ago and the door bars were so high into the door glass it was at the side of her face, so for safetys sake the door bars were replaced and I had them add an "X" down to the floor to strengthen near the front spring mounts. The original rear bars are far to the outside and support the rear spring mount.
https://i.imgur.com/nk3hPlV.jpg https://i.imgur.com/WKWG681.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
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Todd: Good luck my son has a Nova stocker and if we can be of any help feel free to reach out - Bob
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We did take the car out for 1 pass before it was taken apart, here's what I found. Had some oil in the bellhousing so trans. had to come out, clutch was Really soft (see video) so trans. had to come out, and had a driveline vibration, so trans. had to come out. I guess we needed to take the trans out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRYeIoKJUYk&t=108s |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Oil leak seemed to be the far left galley plug so we re-sealed all three and put a new oil pan gasket on just to be sure (I also wanted to peek in the pan to see what was in there).
https://i.imgur.com/OynTIuA.jpg |
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HaHaHa!!! yea that 3-4 shift was a little soft huh! It cought back up with ya after another 100' or so,,,
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So while the trans is out we had a look inside, gave it a reseal, cleaned it up and fresh oil.
https://i.imgur.com/5YdZ79J.jpg https://i.imgur.com/mfPmFBj.jpg |
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Stickers... what stickers?
https://i.imgur.com/CS3yzM7.jpg |
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Looks like a real fun deal , looks like you have a great partner in crime. Good luck with all the changes.
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Two issues in this photo... 1 the heat that's been in that flywheel and 2, that dowel will not properly locate the bellhousing.
https://i.imgur.com/nWMtixR.jpg |
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Our current situation is replacing the switch panel and all under dash wiring. More than likely this will not be the final resting place for the electronics panel but since it's here, and we want to get some testing in, here it will stay for now. End of the year when the engine gets freshened we'll put a Racepak in so the panel location will change then.
https://i.imgur.com/A4cTnDy.jpg https://i.imgur.com/n9Uix23.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ZiOHDZI.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CBUZRQz.jpg |
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So for today's fun, we pulled the block plate off so we had more dowel to work with and NOPE... not even close.
https://i.imgur.com/YkB04YD.jpg https://i.imgur.com/rJ0NuFS.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Took the .021 dowel to get us right.
https://i.imgur.com/S6ZmuIp.jpg And for all you astute class racers, I must have bumped my head because I forgot to put the block plate back on so I did this step twice. Guess I needed the practice. https://i.imgur.com/ca8xu5D.jpg |
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And since what I really needed this done for is to measure for a new driveshaft, (more on that later) the trans is in and I'll order it next week.
https://i.imgur.com/g8EpeQe.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Nice car in a pretty slick class (I/S). :) Great pics, looking forward to following your progress. -Al
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Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Todd,
in one photo I see an engine air filter. When time allows, as an experiment, make a test run with the base plate only, no filter. Just curiosity, on my part. Also, I like the idea of the later Nova body. In addition, the photos of your Daughter working on the car are priceless. Tugs at my heart, it is a great happening and I strongly suggest you treasure each moment. |
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Yes I've been lucky enough to race with both my kids and I wouldn't give up those memories for anything in this world! |
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Everything in the car worked fine but finding multiple splices per wire is why we ended up here, more wiring today.
https://i.imgur.com/lDrSrKG.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Cv7qdyE.jpg |
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Bought a couple new gauges just so we had a matching set and those are in. Most of the wiring is done just need to finish dash lights, gauge lights, headlights and tidy up. I needed to measure for a driveshaft today and totally forgot so I'll get to that tomorrow.
https://i.imgur.com/qSGKtAr.jpg |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Looks like lots of fun, makes me look to the future when my girls get old enough. Good luck and look forward to seeing y'all out there soon!
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Very cool build!!
The fact your daughter is hands on in the build is fantastic. The experience and learning to do things the right way are invaluable. It looks like you have the correct parts for the bellhousing alignment. Was the clearance issue with the clutch cover a fork issue? That bellhousing compared to the cone style QT and Browel has a lot more clearance. Sean |
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Where you located at? I know you ran at Bradenton, I race at Gainesville. Car looks cool.
Robert |
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Also anyone on FB can send me a request Todd Greene in Sarasota, FL. |
Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Well, on the one pass there was a definite driveline vibration before the 660. I found that the u-joint had some play in the pinion yoke (stock yoke) so I ordered a new yoke so now the driveshaft has small joint caps and the yoke has a 1350 joint, I was gonna have a new shaft made but now I'm thinking of using a conversion joint to save $400.
https://i.imgur.com/P7TGqmG.jpg |
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New yoke installed, new u-joints and the driveshaft is in. Rear cover leaks real bad so I pulled it off to re-seal, possibly seeping out the two bottom bolt holes that are open from the old 12 bolt cover. Everything looks pretty good but nothing special in there, could probably use some good caps, bolts and a sturdy cover.
https://i.imgur.com/XXbzi28.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kdG3mWJ.jpg |
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Todd, Those girdle covers really work. After a while you can see wear on the left cap from the load bolt.
Not much on the right. I wouldn't run a stick car without one. |
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Those covers also serve to keep the housing from flexing. That big open hole in the back removes a lot of material that allows the casting to bend. Step up to 3/8" bolts there and use a steel cap on the left side with 1/2" bolts and you will also see longer pinion life.
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Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
Thanks guys, I'll swap the caps out and put good fasteners in it for sure. I need to see if I can get the 12 bolt cover bolts that have been ground off out of the housing where they installed the 10 bolt cover so I can get the good girdle cover on it.
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Left-hand drill bit should spin them out easily.
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