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Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Here is a little project my Dad and I started. For years, I would have hear people at car shows talk about my Dad's 1967 Nova. It has had a colorful past, and though he has owned it since 1971- there were stories we have yet to figure out. People had told us that the car had a 302 in it early on- some swearing it came that way from the factory. The full story on this car will be saved for another thread, but we did finally get together with the original owner and confirmed that the car did run a 1968 over-the-counter 302 . This will be a departure- as I have always known this Nova as a Sleeper and it was bit of a hero on the streets as recently as the 1990's when I was in high school and certainly before.
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/1993Nova.jpg Today, there really isn't much of a chance for the big surprise. People get excited just to see cars form the 1960's is a way that hadn't been realized 20 years ago. So we are going back to a Day 2 theme. Early on, the car had Cragars and a hot 302. Here is our take on a Hot 302! <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/M1dQfoJeNUo"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/M1dQfoJeNUo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object> To say we are satisfied with the new short stroke motor would be an understatement! We were able to make 500+hp out of this little mill with a bit of rpm. The Nova has had 4.88 gears since 1968 and they'll be hanging around some more. http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse34b64fa.jpg The 350 LT1 that is currently in the car was due for valve springs and some other freshen-up components so we decided to try and trace things back to its 1968 Day 2 configuration. Keeping with the spirit of that idea, we sourced a 1968 CE block from sYc member Danny D. It was a virgin bore motor and in excellent condition 3959512 dated J 10 8 with CEO 0899 10 stamped on the pad. thread for ref: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=203132 Next we bought a set of 1968 291 heads which are original 2.02's. Fortunately, Tim Napa68 had just what we needed. The heads got a full overhaul. Other than a bit of bowl work behind the intake valves, the heads remained stock. Ports were all left untouched. We did knock compression down to 9.3:1 to be more street friendly and with a good ring package we don't think we're losing much dynamically over the OE slugs and rings. Bearing spacers to run a 283 crank. Had a bit more fun with the Day 2 theme and topped it off with an Edelbrock STR-10 intake and a pair of 660's. Tossed in an old points distributor we were lucky enough to run on Nova Jed's SUN Distributor machine. http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...psb895f420.jpg Cam selection isn't gonna be made public for whole world to see/debate. Just grab me at a show if you want to talk. This is just the beginning of the whole Day 2 revival and I'll be looking forward to updating you as it evolves. The key points here are that we have relatively stock 1968 casting 291 heads, 9.3:1 pump gas friendly compression with an old school Crossram intake carbureted and an old school GM points distributor cranking out over 500 hp with as many Day 2 parts as we could use! We couldn't be happier! These results were with 93 octane we picked up on the way to the dyno from a random Sunoco station. http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps8e16c9bc.jpg http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...psc7d044b1.jpg http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps979b587b.jpg My buddy Andy is now with Hilborn Injection, but we go way back a lot longer than that. It was nice to collaborate with him after all these year. Thanks pal! http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps6a6a80f1.jpg |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Very cool car and a great story keep the pics coming [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Love it! Keep us up on details. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img]
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Love this too, that is one Awesome Nova......I would love to drive it [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
Thanks for sharing :-) Dan |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Killer Day Two ride here [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
Love the 302 and the power your making, 4:88's are just the icing on the cake. Heck, I'd just love to go for a ride in it...I'd get into some trouble behind the wheel. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] I have some old pictures someplace of my Grandpas Chevy II ...same color combo and all...Loved that car! BIG |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Nice job and sweet Chevy II!
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Sounds good Paulie. A top shelf build. Will run good with those .88's.
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
great story and a very cool car
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
What a great day 2 build Paul...the 302 is music to my ears in the way it winds up and the HP that that little screamer makes.
Thanks for sharing your special day with us and the great story leading up to the build. Seems like a long journey but it all came together at the right time. Thanks for sharing guys! Dave 67 Nova Boy |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Awsome!!! When is the motor drop in date?
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Thank's Dave for the help and we appreciated all of the FUN. Do not know drop in date yet.
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
I love the sound of a high and fast reving little Chevy. I can't wait to see the engine in the car. That is some oil pan, great looking set up, you just don't see a lot of cross rams anymore.
Congratulations on some real impressive numbers! Paul good luck keeping Plowman under control! Better get him a cheap set of tires to burn up. |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
I think he's going to have trouble keeping the smile off his face and tires from burning up...not a problem I'd mind! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]
BIG |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Sounds awesome.. Cant wait to see it this summer at the shows
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Very cool. I'd love to hear more about the history of the car. Hope you plan to have an M22 between the 302 and the 4.88's! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
I really enjoyed working with my Dad, Andy and Dave M. It was great having Dave there at the dyno cause he knew just how to finesse the valve covers off with these beastly intakes. Dave also worked out a nice system to speed up jet changes. Much improved form our first time! A real shame my hands were so busy at those time, I would have liked to had some action shots. Thanks for all the help!
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
<span style="font-size: 26pt">FREEEEKIN SWEEET!</span>
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
love it!! keep the pics coming [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 20pt">GREAT</span></span></span> thread Paul! Super results and the Nova looks terrific! Keep the posts and pix coming!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Very cool. Maybe we can "line em up" some day
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Looks great [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] (I think you need a bigger oil pan!)
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...ovaHoodUp1.jpg
Here is the old engine bay. Back in the 1990's the 780 needed a freshen-up so I bought my Dad a Demon Carb which were new and hot at the time. Other than that, pretty much the way it has been since the early 1970's. I'll have to see about getting this stuff out so we can make the bay look young again. |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
get to work Kid! Going to use those headers?
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
a BB at one time ?
Nice Thread feature and awesome power from a moderate compression 302 inch power plant ......some how I believe a short centerline high duration roller can may the culprit in those #'s. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]....but mum is the word ? |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Day2_69Z</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a BB at one time ?
Nice Thread feature and awesome power from a moderate compression 302 inch power plant ......some how I believe a short centerline high duration roller can may the culprit in those #'s. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]....but mum is the word ? </div></div> I was wondering the same thing about the BBC when I saw the cut shock towers. Small blocks with "production" type heads like tight lobe centers. My gut tells me you are right - this "secret" cam isn't ground on 114 LSA. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
I'm thinking solid roller also with those kind of #'s and yep . . . those shock towers just scream "once hadda rat" along with a little coil-over assistance going on there!
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
You guys are pretty sharp and not surprised little is getting by here.
Yes, after the 302 was lost due to at least one fatal over-rev, the BBC went in. The high revs of the 302 became a challenge to shift, as the chassis would flex. Prior to the failure, the car was brought to Bill Jenkins for an evaluation. At the time, Bill suggested a roll bar and/or a hydraulic bearing but before these solutions could be done the 302 was lost. In addition to the shock tower and helper springs, it has a pair of Eelco ball joint spacers. A pic of these will come soon. I really like the way the Nova sits with these mods and the small block. Most Nova's don't sit this tall. |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
That car needs a gear changer in it Paulie Jr.
Maybe a Jerico! |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Neat car! I miss my '66 with the 427/Muncie. Probably the only car my wife absolutely hated! Too scary.
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
In addition to the shock tower and helper springs, it has a pair of Eelco ball joint spacers. A pic of these will come soon. I really like the way the Nova sits with these mods and the small block. Most Nova's don't sit this tall. </div></div> Neat old Nova Paul. I've always liked it. My black car had Eelco ball joint spacers on it when I got it. I liked the stance. post those pics when you get a chance. Tommy |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Day2_69Z</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a BB at one time ?
Nice Thread feature and awesome power from a moderate compression 302 inch power plant ......some how I believe a short centerline high duration roller can may the culprit in those #'s. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]....but mum is the word ? </div></div> It's not a 302, it's a LT1 350. This is actually where I would think a roller cam'ed, 2X4 motor of that size should be Hp wise. BUT I'm surprised at how low the RPM's were honestly, I was thinking another 5-700RPM to get those numbers. CONGRADS. |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EZ Nova</div><div class="ubbcode-body">[quote=Day2_69Z]a BB at one time ?
Nice Thread feature and awesome power from a moderate compression 302 inch power plant ......some how I believe a short centerline high duration roller can may the culprit in those #'s. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]....but mum is the word ? </div></div> It's not a 302, it's a LT1 350. This is actually where I would think a roller cam'ed, 2X4 motor of that size should be Hp wise. The Dyno engine is a 302 , the current engine in the Nova is a 350 LT1 soon to be replaced by the 302. |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
The LT1 is what is presently in the car. It could use valve springs and seal and so we justified doing a fresh build. We actually were thinking of putting a Big Block back in to it- but after hearing form the original owner and confirming the whole 302 story we've heard all these years, well we decided to follow that path.
With a modern set of heads, this thing would really start revving and making more HP, but we were starting to see the limits of the 291 ports. We substituted the small journal crank in the 1968 block just because we didn't find a "302 large journal" which we were satisfied with. I would love to hear the song at 7500 or so, but we just don't have enough flow. Despite that, I love the look of the 291 heads, no accessory holes and all, plus the crossram intake. Once it is installed with those fenderwell headers done in white- it should look as good as it performs! |
Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
I think you are good with the 291 heads. Limitations are more on the drag strip and trying to set a national record or winning Class at an NHRA event. Those heads will not hold you back as much as the car itself will unless you do a bunch of chassie mods.
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
There is a big threshold we don't want to cross. We are on the ragged edge of where stock blocks should be used. Yes, I know there are guys making more with stock blocks but I also have seen enough fail to know better. We don't want to put a roll bar in it either. It becomes a real slippery slope.
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
correct!
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Im glad you guys have an awsome project going! You deserve it. Maybe I can help change some tires or bring you some parts at the strip? I cant wait to see this thing move!
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Nova Jed, I am glad you can help us this time, I can't stand the cold but I have heat, I am still getting parts together to get ready. So I will let you know when, I want you to see the project too.
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
Sweet!
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Re: Plowman's Day 2 Dyno Day
this looks really cool, sorry I live too far away
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