L-79 '66 Novas... Viable? - Page 2

Alan Roehrich · 05-08-2007, 11:36 PM

You should talk to Jere Stahl sometime, and listen to the war stories about him, Grump, and Strickler with their traveling road show from that era. It's a riot. Stahl and Jenkins aren't close to each other in PA by accident. What a pair.

Alan Roehrich

Bring "AA" classes to NHRA Stock Eliminator!

MYRONARL1119 · 05-09-2007, 09:44 AM

JIM PARSON, DOES YOUR 1968 SHEET SHOW IF THE FOLLOWING WAS LEGAL ON THE 1968 CHEVELLE 327/ 325-350 HP OPTION. I HAD ONE NEW IN 1968 THAT CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE 803 CAST IRON INTAKE AND A QUADRAJET. WAS TOLD BY DEALER MECHANIC WHEN THEY REPLACED STOCK CLUTCH THE CAME APART THAT THEY COULD SWAP OUT THE CASTIRON INTAKE AND QUADRAJET FOR THE ALUMINM INTAKE AND THE HOLLEY LIKE THAT CAME ON THE SAME COMBO IN THE EARLIER NOVAS. SAID THEY COULD EVEN GET IT DOWN AS A WARRANTY SWAP OUT, BUT TJHAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NHRA APPROVED. I DO KNOW THAT THE 68 MADE I SWEET STRRET CAR THAT EVEN WITH THE CAST IRON INTAKE COULD SURPRISE A LOT OF BIG BLOCKS. THANKS MYRON STUTES

MYRONARL1119

Jim Parsons · 05-09-2007, 12:18 PM

Myron,
Every thing I have says all 1968 327/325HP came with the Q-jet and 803 cast iron intake, even on the Vettes as Im helping with a resto to one of those now. You might check NHRA tech sheet on this year to confirm.

I saw a 1957 Sedan delivery along side of the road the other day and though about you.

Don Whitmore · 05-09-2007, 01:51 PM

Jim...thanks for the info. Do you know if the '68 Chevy II with the 327 ci 325 hp was a stick only combo?

From my personal street experience (hehe), the '66 Chevy II L79 was an awesome car; only other cars that came close to beating me were the early year Firebrids with the 400 ci. Those Firebirds were REAL sleepers.

Dwight Southerland · 05-09-2007, 02:17 PM

If you look at the Tech Specs on line, you will note that the carburetor listing indicates "SM only" meaning that the only listing is for "SynchroMesh" transmission. That may have meant 3-speed or 4-speed.

05-09-2007, 05:35 PM

I always thought "SM" meant "stick / manual". And if you race a stick car it could mean "saddo masochist" ! (sp?)

NHRA #7494 SS/H
1970 AMC AMX
"Best Appearing" @ NHRA '06 Pacific Sports Nationals
JeffLeeAzRealty@Qwest.net
602-418-9797

bill dedman · 05-09-2007, 07:45 PM

When I was taking driver's training class in high school (1955-'56... no typo) I asked our instructor whether the '54 Chevy stick-shift car we were using as a training vehicle had a "Synchro-Mesh" transmission, or not...

He gave me a "deer-in-the -headlights," eyes glazed-over look and said something like, "How the hell would I know???"

LOL!

Bill

05-09-2007, 10:59 PM

The L-79 in a 66 Chevy II was the baddest thing on the streets back when they came out of the dealers. Their light weight is what made them so quick compared to other factory rides of the day. Most of us who were participants during the 60's street racing days knew not to tie into a 350 horse Nova.

Oddly enough todays so-called experts on 60's musclecars overlook the L-79 in a 66 Nova giving more credit to Boss 429's, LS6 Chevelles, etc. The reason the L-79 as a musclecar is overlooked is due to the lack of coverage the car magazines gave it in 1966. The best ET in a road test article the L-79 got was mid 15's. This is the only thing younger journalists doing research have to go by since the L-79 in a Nova was a one year deal. However anyone who street raced back then knew how awesome this combo was.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.

bill dedman · 05-09-2007, 11:59 PM

One man's NOVA...

I had a good friend (Charlie Malyuke) who bought a new L-79 Nova and raced it, but not in Stock Eliminator.

He made threse modifications:

1. 3310 Holley (780cfm to replace the 560 cfm Holley it came with)
2. Hood scoop
3. Slapper bars
4. 5.38 gears
5. Isky hydraulic cam
6. Headers
6. 8" M & H slicks

It ran 12.60s with Charlie aboard. At that time, Charlie probably weighed 300 pounds.

Needed a 2.54 low 4-speed; had a 2,20 low and would almost bog, even leaving at 6 grand...

He drove it on the street like that, but not often. Hardly ever got outrun....

Bill

76 RACER · 05-10-2007, 05:00 AM

In 67 you could get the L-79 in a Chevelle with a aluminum intake and Holley and it was rated at 325 hp.

05-08-2007, 11:36 PM	#1
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,126 Likes: 1,583 Liked 1,892 Times in 423 Posts	You should talk to Jere Stahl sometime, and listen to the war stories about him, Grump, and Strickler with their traveling road show from that era. It's a riot. Stahl and Jenkins aren't close to each other in PA by accident. What a pair. Alan Roehrich Bring "AA" classes to NHRA Stock Eliminator! __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

05-09-2007, 02:17 PM	#5
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 2,002 Likes: 64 Liked 783 Times in 195 Posts	If you look at the Tech Specs on line, you will note that the carburetor listing indicates "SM only" meaning that the only listing is for "SynchroMesh" transmission. That may have meant 3-speed or 4-speed. __________________

05-09-2007, 11:59 PM	#9
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	One man's NOVA... I had a good friend (Charlie Malyuke) who bought a new L-79 Nova and raced it, but not in Stock Eliminator. He made threse modifications: 1. 3310 Holley (780cfm to replace the 560 cfm Holley it came with) 2. Hood scoop 3. Slapper bars 4. 5.38 gears 5. Isky hydraulic cam 6. Headers 6. 8" M & H slicks It ran 12.60s with Charlie aboard. At that time, Charlie probably weighed 300 pounds. Needed a 2.54 low 4-speed; had a 2,20 low and would almost bog, even leaving at 6 grand... He drove it on the street like that, but not often. Hardly ever got outrun.... Bill __________________ Bill

05-09-2007, 09:44 AM	#2
MYRONARL1119 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: COLUMBUS,OHIO Posts: 59 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	JIM PARSON, DOES YOUR 1968 SHEET SHOW IF THE FOLLOWING WAS LEGAL ON THE 1968 CHEVELLE 327/ 325-350 HP OPTION. I HAD ONE NEW IN 1968 THAT CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE 803 CAST IRON INTAKE AND A QUADRAJET. WAS TOLD BY DEALER MECHANIC WHEN THEY REPLACED STOCK CLUTCH THE CAME APART THAT THEY COULD SWAP OUT THE CASTIRON INTAKE AND QUADRAJET FOR THE ALUMINM INTAKE AND THE HOLLEY LIKE THAT CAME ON THE SAME COMBO IN THE EARLIER NOVAS. SAID THEY COULD EVEN GET IT DOWN AS A WARRANTY SWAP OUT, BUT TJHAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NHRA APPROVED. I DO KNOW THAT THE 68 MADE I SWEET STRRET CAR THAT EVEN WITH THE CAST IRON INTAKE COULD SURPRISE A LOT OF BIG BLOCKS. THANKS MYRON STUTES MYRONARL1119

05-09-2007, 12:18 PM	#3
Jim Parsons Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Kearney Mo Posts: 199 Likes: 433 Liked 196 Times in 31 Posts	Myron, Every thing I have says all 1968 327/325HP came with the Q-jet and 803 cast iron intake, even on the Vettes as Im helping with a resto to one of those now. You might check NHRA tech sheet on this year to confirm. I saw a 1957 Sedan delivery along side of the road the other day and though about you.

05-09-2007, 01:51 PM	#4
Don Whitmore Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 140 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jim...thanks for the info. Do you know if the '68 Chevy II with the 327 ci 325 hp was a stick only combo? From my personal street experience (hehe), the '66 Chevy II L79 was an awesome car; only other cars that came close to beating me were the early year Firebrids with the 400 ci. Those Firebirds were REAL sleepers.

05-09-2007, 05:35 PM	#6
Jeff Lee Guest Posts: n/a	I always thought "SM" meant "stick / manual". And if you race a stick car it could mean "saddo masochist" ! (sp?) NHRA #7494 SS/H 1970 AMC AMX "Best Appearing" @ NHRA '06 Pacific Sports Nationals JeffLeeAzRealty@Qwest.net 602-418-9797

05-09-2007, 07:45 PM	#7
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	When I was taking driver's training class in high school (1955-'56... no typo) I asked our instructor whether the '54 Chevy stick-shift car we were using as a training vehicle had a "Synchro-Mesh" transmission, or not... He gave me a "deer-in-the -headlights," eyes glazed-over look and said something like, "How the hell would I know???" LOL! Bill __________________ Bill

05-09-2007, 10:59 PM	#8
Travis Miller Guest Posts: n/a	The L-79 in a 66 Chevy II was the baddest thing on the streets back when they came out of the dealers. Their light weight is what made them so quick compared to other factory rides of the day. Most of us who were participants during the 60's street racing days knew not to tie into a 350 horse Nova. Oddly enough todays so-called experts on 60's musclecars overlook the L-79 in a 66 Nova giving more credit to Boss 429's, LS6 Chevelles, etc. The reason the L-79 as a musclecar is overlooked is due to the lack of coverage the car magazines gave it in 1966. The best ET in a road test article the L-79 got was mid 15's. This is the only thing younger journalists doing research have to go by since the L-79 in a Nova was a one year deal. However anyone who street raced back then knew how awesome this combo was. Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.

05-10-2007, 05:00 AM	#10
76 RACER Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 247 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In 67 you could get the L-79 in a Chevelle with a aluminum intake and Holley and it was rated at 325 hp.