Getting Closer

[KRatcliff]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

...does Katherine know about this???

The car is cheaper.

[Justin Graham]

Originally Posted by Henrys Toy

Good afternoon to all,
The rear tail lights (Nova Body ) are a little wider for the 1970 - 72 body. The front bumper has bigger turn signal lights that are amber instead of kinda clear from the 1968-69 body. The 1968 has the ignition key on the dash, 1969 -72 has the ignition key in the steering column. The 1968 has the short marker lights front and back. The 1969 has the same as 68 short rear marker light with a longer chrome bezel showing engine cubic inch's. the 1970 -72 has the long side marker lights.
So there's some more food for thought, Do I think NHRA cares anymore about marker lights, I seriously doubt it at this point, but I'd make sure that the engine combination has all the correct casting numbers for its application. With the 1969 body you can run just about every engine that Chevrolet had in its line up except for the 396/325 engine. Also no 427's, but a 1970 you can get the 402/ 375 HP engine and that's a good engine combo. What you are considering is the very reason I went with the Nova body some 40 + years ago. Versatility in the same body platform, one draw back is putting a good size 9x30x15 tire under there is a little challenging, between back spacing and a little creativity you can make it happen, not impossible. Most of the stuff that fits a Camaro will bolt on to the Nova, without the Camaro price tag. So, I hope this expands you horizons some - Have a Good Day and a Safe 4th of July.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA Nova

I can't thank you enough Henry, this is what I was hoping for with this post. I'm familiar with all of the 68-72 Nova "identifiers". I've surfed and burned up Class Racer Info a lot to learn the various engine combos. I was interested in knowing the experiences of Nova owners fluctuating between years and if they had a run in with tech and just how "strict" they were with claimed year appearance.

[Justin Graham]

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

I have done it both ways on my 4th generation F body with a LT1. I find it a lot easier to take it out of the top if you use a Happy Hooker engine plate that bolts to the top of the intake. They work great and all you have to do is lift and rotate the engine slightly with the hood raised all the way without the hood struts attached.

Thank you, this actually alleviates some "myths" I may have had in my head for engine removal and install.

[Adger Smith]

On the Nova's when did the ignition switch move from the dash to the steering column?
'69 on the column... '68 on the dash???

[Wayne Scraba]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

On the Nova's when did the ignition switch move from the dash to the steering column?
'69 on the column... '68 on the dash???

That is correct. Dash is different too.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

On the Nova's when did the ignition switch move from the dash to the steering column?
'69 on the column... '68 on the dash???

Steel guard beams in the doors too..For what that's worth, in this day and age.

[Painter]

Shipping weight on a 68 two door is 98 pounds less if old memory is working.

[Larry Hill]

Was the 68 still a Chevy II?

[David Lee]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

Was the 68 still a Chevy II?

that was the last years of of the chevy II, in 69 they dropped it

[Mark Yacavone]

Yes, they were all Chevy II's..not Novas
Any engine combo..any stripper model,..but anything 295 HP or bigger has to have the fake hood louver inserts..(same as 67 SS castings).
Of course, this was in the real tech era. Today? Who knows?

BTW, everything mentioned in this thread, so far, is not what I'd call entry level, or beginner's rides