My 1970 Slow Poke Nova Build

Wayne Scraba · 08-30-2019, 09:45 PM

If this post isn't appropriate, please delete....

This is my personal fun car; a 1970 Nova that I'm building as a sleeper. I've had a bunch of Novas over the years and this is my favourite. There's nothing here that's earth shattering, but you might find it interesting. Instead of documenting the build with photos, I've decided to video it and store on YouTube under "Lone Wolf Hot Rods" (my Shilo Shepherd Teddy is the Lone Wolf, but that's another story). Anyway, here are a few videos you might find interesting on the build. The first one is an introduction to the project:

The next video is an update on the car. It just shows what I've done over the last few weeks.

And finally, this video is on a cheap ($26) ball joint tool from Howe Racing. I don't have a $$$ dog in the fight (don't even know the folks at Howe Racing), but man, after beating up on pickle forks with a huge-X- large blacksmith hammer trying split them cleanly or making some all-thread work, this thing is amazing (watch it pop the ball joint out of the spindle...Yikes!):

Thanks for the space Class Racer!

Wayne

Glenn Hayes · 08-31-2019, 12:30 PM

What a sweet 6 Nova, I'd drive it just like that myself.

I'll follow along on your build journey Wayne.

Wayne Scraba · 08-31-2019, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Hayes

What a sweet 6 Nova, I'd drive it just like that myself.

You wouldn't have wanted to drive it far...L-O-L. The thing was pathetic from a performance perspective. Of course, when I tore it apart I discovered the brakes were dragging. I never drove it far or very fast (took a long, long time to get up to "warp speed"....

). Appears someone in the past used general purpose grease when they repacked the wheel bearings, amongst (numerous) other things. But boy, the body -- top and bottom, paint, interior, trunk and engine compartment are really nice!

WS

cicero819 · 09-01-2019, 08:30 AM

Thank you Wayne Scarba for posting this great build, this can be useful for anyone looking at building a great safe car. Since 1968 to 72 Nova have gone through the roof, I'm looking more at the 74 to 79 model, even thinking of the four door, I've owned a COPO Nova (Police package (all Police cars from California were COPO's) a great car and though with it's F41 suspension package with big Impala brakes.Wayne Scarba if some of you don't know him is one of the elite automotive writer in the business.Thank you Wayne. Claude Ruel.

Wayne Scraba · 09-01-2019, 05:53 PM

Your way too kind Claude! If I was looking for another, I'd be all over Craigslist. FYI, "searchtempest.com" does a lot of the footwork for ya!

Thanks again...

Wayne Scraba

Wayne Scraba · 09-03-2019, 12:45 PM

What a Mess! This week I'm cutting, bending and flaring front stainless brake lines. I'll include a video of my progress later this week (or maybe next....L-O-L). Here's a preview, which happens to showcase the level of my plumbing chaos:

The Earl's Pro Flaring Tool absolutely Rocks!

08-30-2019, 09:45 PM	#1
Wayne Scraba Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 139 Likes: 268 Liked 147 Times in 42 Posts	My 1970 Slow Poke Nova Build If this post isn't appropriate, please delete.... This is my personal fun car; a 1970 Nova that I'm building as a sleeper. I've had a bunch of Novas over the years and this is my favourite. There's nothing here that's earth shattering, but you might find it interesting. Instead of documenting the build with photos, I've decided to video it and store on YouTube under "Lone Wolf Hot Rods" (my Shilo Shepherd Teddy is the Lone Wolf, but that's another story). Anyway, here are a few videos you might find interesting on the build. The first one is an introduction to the project: The next video is an update on the car. It just shows what I've done over the last few weeks. And finally, this video is on a cheap ($26) ball joint tool from Howe Racing. I don't have a $$$ dog in the fight (don't even know the folks at Howe Racing), but man, after beating up on pickle forks with a huge-X- large blacksmith hammer trying split them cleanly or making some all-thread work, this thing is amazing (watch it pop the ball joint out of the spindle...Yikes!): Thanks for the space Class Racer! Wayne Last edited by Wayne Scraba; 08-30-2019 at 10:23 PM.

08-31-2019, 12:30 PM	#2
Glenn Hayes Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 348 Likes: 416 Liked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Re: My 1970 Slow Poke Nova Build What a sweet 6 Nova, I'd drive it just like that myself. I'll follow along on your build journey Wayne. __________________ "Real Race Cars Have Tailgates"

09-01-2019, 08:30 AM	#4
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,086 Likes: 31 Liked 67 Times in 29 Posts	Re: My 1970 Slow Poke Nova Build Thank you Wayne Scarba for posting this great build, this can be useful for anyone looking at building a great safe car. Since 1968 to 72 Nova have gone through the roof, I'm looking more at the 74 to 79 model, even thinking of the four door, I've owned a COPO Nova (Police package (all Police cars from California were COPO's) a great car and though with it's F41 suspension package with big Impala brakes.Wayne Scarba if some of you don't know him is one of the elite automotive writer in the business.Thank you Wayne. Claude Ruel. Last edited by cicero819; 09-01-2019 at 08:39 AM.

09-01-2019, 05:53 PM	#5
Wayne Scraba Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 139 Likes: 268 Liked 147 Times in 42 Posts	Re: My 1970 Slow Poke Nova Build Your way too kind Claude! If I was looking for another, I'd be all over Craigslist. FYI, "searchtempest.com" does a lot of the footwork for ya! Thanks again... Wayne Scraba Last edited by Wayne Scraba; 09-01-2019 at 07:48 PM.

09-03-2019, 12:45 PM	#6
Wayne Scraba Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 139 Likes: 268 Liked 147 Times in 42 Posts	What A Mess! :) What a Mess! This week I'm cutting, bending and flaring front stainless brake lines. I'll include a video of my progress later this week (or maybe next....L-O-L). Here's a preview, which happens to showcase the level of my plumbing chaos: The Earl's Pro Flaring Tool absolutely Rocks!