Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova

[Dwight Southerland]

Also, as a bit of trivia, when Jenkins was building the Chevy II was when he and Jere Stahl developed the edgy, competitive relationship that resulted in Grumpy using Hooker headers on the Deuce rather than having Stahl build them.

[Jim Parsons]

Dwight, I believe prior to using Hooker’s he went with Doug headers. I believe they may have offered to pay him for running their products which may have had something to do with the change also. I'm sure it didn't set well with Jere who had supported him for years.

[Jimbo17]

I think we should all remember that back in the 60's many racers were given products to use and evaluate and then voice their opinion on ways to make the products better.

In my mind it was a two way street yes you may have gotten the product for Free but that was because the person giving you the product valued your opinion and thoughts on how to make it better.

I can tell that not every set of Stahl headers performed the same or lowered your E.T.

Those were the experimental sets they were bolted on and either you went faster or slower. The headers that did not work well were simply shipped back and you bolted back on a set that did lower your E.T.

When the word supported is used it's good to keep in mind that the racers also worked hard trying to figure why some things worked and some only sounded good on paper.

Jim Hill

[T Pogue]

For what it's worth,I guess it depends on how accurate to scale you want to get, I think the minum diameter of the exhaust was 1 5/8ths. Also the tailpipes had to come to the center line if the rear axle. Here's a picture of the ones on the 57 Delivery I have.

[Dwight Southerland]

1966 rule book states ""Headers are also accepted, but exhaust must be routed through mufflers and tailpipes. All mufflers must be productions type and installed in the stock location with tailpipes extending at least to the rear axle. The main body of any replacement muffler must be at least 18 inches in length." When I built my first race car and constructed the legal system, I was told by Chuck Nelson in a letter that the exhaust pipe had to be a minimum of 1 1/2" and the muffler must be at least 3 1/2" in diameter. That was not in the rule book, but was one of those "undocumented" specs.

[Jim Parsons]

Walt, I came across a picture from a October 1966 Super Stock mag. story I have on Bill's Nova. It shows some pretty good shots of the muffler layout he used. There wasn't any interior shots but did have one under the hood if your are interested.
Have fun with your project.
Jim Parsons

[Carguy49]

Good luck on this project. Which kit are you using for basis?? AMT recently released a 66 Nova Bill Jenkins version that might help, especially with the decals. Both versions are included (red/white car and all white car). As with most kits some scratch building is always needed for total accuracy. Have fun with this one.

[Paul Ceasrine]

My 2 Cents,

Also, the sub-floor under-carriage coated with 'Epoxy' to help prevent wind-drag.

[modelman1960]

Carguy49,
I'm using the recently released AMT kit, w/ the "Grumpy's Toy" Graphics on the box cover. I'm going to try to attach the 79/80 Pro/S Camaro, I did a short while ago. A lot of scratch building went on with that as it was never a kit. I'm hi-jacking my own thread here. LOL
As I haven't been able to see a pictures of the engine compartment with Fenderwell headers, I'm thinking of staying with the under chassis style, and scratch build the exhaust system.
Walt

[modelman1960]

Jim Parsons, Yes I'd love to see the photo of the exhaust system you mentioned. Can you post it here?
Walt