69 BB Nova - L78 or L34?

[travlnz28]

I just picked up a 69 Nova big block car. It is missing the engine but everything else is very original including the OO code big block radiator, the M21 trans, and the BT code 3:55 posi rear. I spent the day taking out the seats and carpet looking for a build sheet but had no luck. The car has a single 3/8 fuel line. Does that make it a L78 car? Are there any other identifiers for L78 vs. L34? It is not a tach/gauge car.

[jasonL78]

Check the back seat top left hand corner and see if the broadcast sheet is hog ringed to the seat frame. Very easy to over look it. Mine was rolled up around the seat frame.

Jason

[WILMASBOYL78]

3.55 rear was the standard issue for all L78's...other gears were optional. The 3/8 line is a good indicator...any chance you can dig up some owner history..?? How about sharing some photos...thanks, wilma

[travlnz28]

I actually talked to a couple of the previous owners today. The car was sold new in Iowa and seemed to spend most of it's time in Nebraska. Through conversations with the two guys in Nebraska the car has not had an engine in it since at least the mid 80's. It has been barn stored or in a garage since then as it moved through 3 different owners. The guy who owned it in the later 80's said he once talked to a woman who drove it in the 70's to high school every day in Grand Island, Nebraska. He said that she pretty much confirmed it was a L78 car. He is going to look through some of his old records and see if he can find her name.

I'll get some pics this weekend. I might need help posting them though!

Jason, I'll pull the back seat again and have another look.

[travlnz28]

Here are some pics of the Nova.

[travlnz28]

A few more.

[ssl78]

I see it had power steering did you get the pump with it if you did it would have a deep groove pulley. Take a picture of where the rubber hose comes off the line by the sender to see if its original back there

[travlnz28]

I did not get the PS pump. I'll get a pic of the line at the tank.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I like the 'A' '71' on the firewall, looks like another code is there too.

The single fuel line - and attaching clips - look original, (even has the non-safety rubber line clips), indicating an L78 version.

[iluv69s]

Was the frame removed at some point?? It seems bare metal??
And new upper control arms??

[travlnz28]

The guy I got it from removed the subframe and blasted it many years ago. When he decided he was going to sell the car he put in new bushings and installed the suspension so he could get it rolling again.

[Chevy2]

That license plate on the car tells me it was less than 7o miles from me at one time.

[69z28302]

What kind of wheels are on the car? Weld? Are they for sale?

Mike

[travlnz28]

The car seems to have spent it's early years in Grand Rapids, NE. It then went to the South Dakota/Nebraska border and it was it that time frame that it lost it's engine. The car was then found by a guy that lives in Gordon, Ne. It was sold to guy in 1996 that took it to Arizona where it sat in his garage for 15 years. I would love to track down the girl that drove it to high school in Grand Rapids. That may be the key to what happened to the original motor.

Mike, The guy I bought the car from said they were Weld wheels. I am a purist so I don't know anything about that aftermarket stuff. They have brand new 165R15 tires on them. $300 for the pair plus shipping.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

This car is awesome! I studied that f/wall pic some more, I believe it says BLU next to the A 71 - which is typical.

Did you find the broadcast sheet in the rear seat - top or bottom cushion?

What dealer sticker is that? I bet Schoneye knows all about that Iowa dealer!

[travlnz28]

I did not find the Broadcast sheet in the rear seat. Very bummed about that!

The dealership was in Pisgah, Iowa. They closed up around 1980. I talked to the last owner of the dealership and the only records he had were from 1974 and newer.