Nova stocker project.
 

This car was a complete turn key car that I purchased from the Classifieds here. Jim Parsons and his buddy Mike had put together a good car with a lot of solid components. 327-275 (270), A1 'glide, Cal Tracs, etc. They were both a pleasure to work with....true gentlemen!

Jim and Mike met us in Omaha at a casino parking lot. Before we got there, they could have traded the Nova for a jet ski a guy had on a trailer in the lot! HaHa!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps44d4cf03.jpg

Jim and I hot lapped it around the lot a few times, then it was time to load it up and head North:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...pse4e9fe89.jpg

Back home in Steve Koppien's 'Rocket Shop':
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps7a510a39.jpg

I had decided to take the car apart, see what I had and then put it back together. This was a good chance to detail things and get a bit more familiar with the car. The motor was out early the next afternoon:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps19cde975.jpg

Changed the fuel cell around a bit. Made some alum. mounts for the cell, ran braided #8 to the engine compartment and remounted the pump:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps5a5f70dd.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps6fdf4ba5.jpg

Rewired the entire car. Made this alum. plate to mount the new MSD 6A ignition and main power supply buss bar:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps992c02a6.jpg

Steve had an extra set of 'massaged' mono leafs with serious size housing centering pins, so those got pressed into service. New springs going in along with new u-bolts and urethane spring bushings. Shocks are the Calvert/Rancho adjustables:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps5c854f86.jpg

Traded the nice black factory bucket seats that were in the car for a set of Jaz race seats. Got some dimensions for mounting brackets today and did the initial fit:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps1face820.jpg

Added a main power disconnect switch within arms reach on the dash. That could be used to isolate the power panel should a problem arise:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps6f042b42.jpg

I'll add some more as it gets further along. I've been very fortunate to have some good pals helping me with this project.....Steve Koppien, John McLeod and Ron Roddel.

Thanks for all your help! -Al

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

I have a project much the same as yours Alan...looks like you have some excellent parts to begin with. I've had trouble in the past with a coil mounted close to the MSD box as you pictured...tried it yet?

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Gonna be long coil wire.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

It isnt the length of the coil wire, rather the RF interference between the MSD box and the coil...caused a mis-fire.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

That coil wire is way too long. The whole panel is mounted so you can conveniently work on it at the track while you stand on your head. Duh

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

This isnt a gamer forum Painter...:rolleyes:

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Well, excuse me.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Rich, MSD didn't think there would be a problem, but 'ya never know. I'll keep it in mind...thanks! -Al

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Two allen screws and you can have the whole thing in your lap to work on while you sit in the passenger seat. Surprised you missed that feature......

Congratulations????? -Al

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Alan,

I like the fuel pump mounting plate but I was always told you need to mount those Holley style pumps lower than the tank . I may be wrong or the picture may be misleading you may have enough fall there.

Holley's instruction sheet says

Mounting and INSTALLATION:
The best location for mounting any electric fuel pump is the rear of the vehicle. The inlet and outlet of the pump must be mounted below the lowest point of the tank. This is necessary to allow for an adequate fuel supply. The pump is designed to push fuel and not designed to suck fuel out of the tank. It needs to be gravity-fed or if it’s pulling from the top of the tank, it needs to develop a siphon feed to the pump. The pump should be mounted on the chassis, in a vertical position with the pump motor on top

Also being in FRONT of the pick up the fuel may need to overcome the launch G's, remember it's gravity fed basically

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

while your at it Al, you better replace those window cranks ! they don't look legal !!

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Small point of interest Al - While working on the car this weekend I took the hood ornaments/louvers out of our car for some touch-up and found they weigh 4lbs apiece...like two bricks of lead sitting up there lol! I am seriously looking for some substitutes atm. :p

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

I have seen duplicates machined from aluminum.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Almost reason enough to buy a 3D copier. Can't believe I suggested that.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Nice Score Al

Keep coming with the pictures and stories.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Al, I don't know if you're planning to continue running the 327, but I believe that the hood louvers are correct only on Nova SS models, which came with a 350 or 396 only. With the crackdown on cowl hoods on 350/255 equipped '69 Camaros as an example, running the hood louvers may or may not create a future issue for you. (I realize that they are decorative only and not functional)

Nice car BTW!

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Yeah, the hood louvers are going away....those are SS items only, anyway. Been trying to come up with a way to fill the holes w/o repainting the hood. Found a product today that should fill the bill.

Spent today drilling out the broken trunk lock cylinder (grrrrrr), remounted the fuel pump, tried a few different tire/wheel combos on the back, tidied up some wiring, finished welding up a transmission case brace, blah, blah, blah... -Al

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Al keep them coming, great post. wow the body looks straight. I miss my Nova ss, worst car to drive long distances with but a killer on those short squirts.Check those ball joints if they've never been replace, part never was made for those wheel up launch and return to terra firma.lol Claude Ruel p.s. wow what a shop!

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Shiny round things showed up.

There is a Santa Claus (grin)................. -Al

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps619bf29c.jpg

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Did you look at Champion wheels Al? We were stoked when ours arrived. http://www.cwibeadlock.com/NBL%20Speed%20Series.htm

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Rich, I checked out the Champions after seeing yours on your Camaro build thread. They are a beautiful wheel and priced right. I wasn't looking to replace what was on the car, but stumbled across four Bogarts with the right spacing.

Looking forward to seeing more of your build pics. -Al

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

I hear that Al...hard to pass on a good deal when in front of you. I wish I had the Bogarts from my last car in 2002...they were a much better looking wheel than the current offerings.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Joe Veronda had those SS louvers on his hood and he had a local decal guy make a set of decals that looked just like the louvers. Covered the holes nicely also.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

I have never heard of it being a sore point being that they are non-functional ornaments...now a '69 cowl hood I can understand. Anyone who really wanted to argue the point could point out the difference in hood shape, louvers or not. I have an idea for replacements and if it pans out I'll post pic's.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Al I stoped by Koppiens shop yesterday to see your progress. Nova is looking great! Look forward to racing with you again this summer. I am a bit suprised the Arizona peanut section has not offered there advice (Old indian & Had to be there) that advice & good laughs to follow.

Dan

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Al, good luck in your new project.....looks great!

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

looks good, Al, will be good to see you at the track again!

I'll be there with my camera.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Looks like you have a nice place to work on it, hope to see you in the spring. Tom

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

I looked at your thread last night, I couldn't get your fuel system out of my head all day. Think about this: when you launch your car you have to keep in mind having enough pressure to push your fuel forward, on this car 18 PSI should be sufficient, and if the car leaves wheels up its even more difficult, and the pump should always be below and behind the cell. Also a killer fuel system will allow you to run less pressure to the carb, which seems to help. Im not trying to bust your balls just trying to help, weird problems on a new car suck, anything you can do to stop a potential problem is a good thing, although is always more work. I would also run a shielded grounded trigger pickup wire off your MSD.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

HP Hunter: A few days ago, I remounted the pump so the inlet is behind the fuel cell outlet. The pump inlet is now about 2" lower than the fuel cell outlet.

Thanks for taking the time to respond...it's appreciated! -Al

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Thanks, now I can sleep tonight.....now about that pump. LOL

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Here you go Al...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscde7a76f.jpg

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Like I have always said Dan, Let them young'uns learn from their mistakes like we did. O.I.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Going to be about 72 today down here...I see that the Northern cold warning has some of you still putting your tongue on those outside poles.

I am in a hurry, need to finish Christmas shopping....Al, hope your project goes well, looks like a sound car.....I will post ideas after I have a talk with your cousin.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

hadtobethere: 72 degrees??? Old Injun likely had wooly socks and long johns on to go get the newspaper. HaHa!

Out my back door this Christmas morning:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...l/backdoor.jpg

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Better you than me Alan, hehe. :p

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Al, try this , may be a little lean Val.

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Al try this , will correct that lean condition!!!!

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Geez Bob....that things about the size of the crankshaft in my 327! :eek: Reminds me of the 'rubber' Stocker camshaft designed by (blank blank). The lobes grew as the RPM's went up! ;) -Al

Re: Nova stocker project.
 

Al, after a bit of forward thinking....most likely Stock will expand the rules, so you should be ahead of this...

It will be hard to put one of Steve's BB in that thing and call it a 327 so....Ya, Sherwood can get the 'Shadow' to work a big stick to fit, and that old Nitro kit from the Pro guy will work fine. DB has a crate motor on order that you can use. Check and see if old Northwind has a valve train, also W.S. has some parts....more later.