Nice 70 SS396 Nova on Ebay [Archive]

Allen

03-04-2003, 05:54 PM

Here's my scrappy one. I don't know if the pictures are good enough for a comparison though.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/37279735/37280203czthhI

http://community.webshots.com/photo/37279735/50666837FPpMuK

http://community.webshots.com/photo/37279735/50666816eMrBhS

Maybe this week, I'll get it out of storage and try to take the same perspective shot. I agree... the core support doesn't look right.

55chevy

03-04-2003, 06:25 PM

Man, some of you guys are eagle eyes. I never noticed any of that and here I thought I knew my Novas. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ed

RonNova396L34

03-04-2003, 06:27 PM

Allen,
That does it, I need to get a scanner and a digital camera. Over 500 pictures of my car and no way of posting any of them. Darn it! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

Ed,
There's more that what's been said already!
Ron

Allen

03-04-2003, 06:54 PM

There ya go, Ron, being all secretive and elusive. Speak up if there's something to say about it. Inquiring minds want to know - especially folks with big block Novas. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

bbdon

03-04-2003, 07:11 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about the incorrect detailing, that can be fixed. But it is represented as a real Big Block Nova, and priced accordingly, so I think that you do have to watch for clues as to what the original engine was.

RonNova396L34

03-04-2003, 08:03 PM

BBDON
I tend to agree with you on the offset on the engine. I've been looking at photos of my engine from about the same angle from the front veiw. I can see all of my brake booster. In his picture, the lower left corner is partially blocked. BB cars have the rubber flap over the radiator support. It looks like a small block cover instead. L34 cars did not have an aluminum high rise manifold. The carb is also wrong. These minor detail parts can be very expensive to replace especially dated correctly. Right Allen? I have to wonder about the rims also since reference is made that they are the correct size but I wonder if they are XT rims? Obviously the spare is gone too. XT rims are very hard to find. Just my 2 cents since you guys wanted it.
Ron /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

For those of you NNN members, look at the January 2003 issue of Nova Times on my feature article. Look at page 6 where it shows the same frontal shot of my engine compartment. Now look at where the center stud of the air cleaner lines up on his photo versus where it lines up in my photo in Nova Times. Doesn't his valve covers cover up more the the brake booster? It sits too far to the driver's side if you ask me.
Ron /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Allen

03-04-2003, 08:23 PM

Yes, Ron, I'm quickly finding that out. It's an expensive lesson to learn when I committed to buying a restored "correct" 7040205 carb after realizing my carb was replaced somewhere in the Nova's 133K mile life and is now runing a '75 Q-jet (anybody need one?). Chuck (Yountto) is supposed to be getting back to me on a water pump.

After that, I'm thinking I'll stop the obsession. I all ready have lots of NOS trim and some other parts stashed away. When the time comes, I'm going to try to avoid being concerned about the color of bolt heads and whether or not my disk brake calipers are correct.... especially considering one froze up on me several years ago and I swapped it for a remanufactured unit just to get it rolling again quickly!

Maybe I'll have to follow that "Day 2" label... especially since I'm not giving up my Hooker headers (original manifolds are stashed away) and Hurst shifter (original shifter is now garage decoration). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

RonNova396L34

03-04-2003, 10:40 PM

I spent some time looking for another photo for you NNN members. Look at the September 1997 issue on the NNN giveaway car. Look at page 17. I know it is taken from a little different angle but look how much of the brake booster you can see. Also look at Rowdy Rat's 69 BB Nova in the June 2000 issue of Nova Times page 8. You can form your own opinion.
Ron /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

Allen

03-04-2003, 11:37 PM

Okay Ron (a.k.a. Eagle Eyes /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif ), how does the picture link for my engine compare? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

RonNova396L34

03-05-2003, 12:13 AM

Allen,
I think the first link is best for what we're talking about. Look at how much of your booster you can see. Do you have a photo like that from the front only further out. Try to line up the air cleaner stud with the hood latch hole or the back portion of the hood. I think you can also see the passenger side valve cover is further over to the heater core. Hence moving the heater core to the center of the box. I think your's looks fine Allen.
Ron /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

55chevy

03-05-2003, 01:03 AM

Ron, I think you definitly may have something there with the offsets. Good eye! Would dropping a big block on small block frame mounts cause that? I didn't realize the big block cars were offset. How is the offset achieved and how does it affect tranny and driveshaft alignment? I'm a former NNN member and have been in a few issues of the Times myself, so I can be trusted with the "privileged" information. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ed

RonNova396L34

03-05-2003, 01:15 AM

Ed,
I'm going out on a limb here and I think bbdon knows more on that. The BB motor mounts move the engine further to the passenger side I believe to clear the power brake booster. I think you can use small block mounts on a BB motor and that is what I believe happens. The motor sits too far to the driver's side. Correct me if I'm wrong here guys. The BB mounts are different than the SB mounts!
The BB radiator supports are different than the SB radiator supports. I just wish I could post some pictures. Darn it again. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif Ron

69rsz28

03-05-2003, 01:23 AM

Ron,
Here's a pic of a 1970 L78 SS that I found on the net. It's supposed to be an all #'s matching car. I don't know much about it but was talking to a guy at a car show and he said he used the same mounts when he swapped a BB into his SB Nova. I always thought you were supposed to change them.

RonNova396L34

03-05-2003, 01:30 AM

Richard,
It looks to me like he used a smaller brake booster and the master cylinder is not correct. That would make sense as to the brake system changes. Anybody else think the booster is smaller?

Is the car you posted the one that was switched? The brake stuff isn't original. I really haven't "eyed" it other than the brake stuff.
Ron /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

Allen

03-05-2003, 02:04 AM

As I understand it, the purpose of the different motor mounts for the big block was the provide some exhaust clearance around the steering box. The mounts shift the engine over and up slightly to improve the clearance for the exhaust manifolds & pipes. No doubt it helps the spacing with the power brake booster as well.

Similarly, the heater core outlets were shifted closer to the fender to reduce the tight fit and awkward hose routing.

To accomodate the engine shift, the transmission crossmember is also different and has the mounting holes off center. This is to keep the engine and tranny in line. Check out the link below for the last one that was on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34202&item=2404544 942&rd=1

As far as between the tranny and rear end, that isn't an issue since the U-joints deal with the slight mis-alignment.

Since the 67-69 Camaro and 68-74 Nova share a common subframe and firewall layout, the same logic applies to the big block Camaros.

Mr70

03-05-2003, 02:09 AM

That Blue L-78 Nova picture looks like the one at Midwest car Exchange somewhat.
In 1998 I was at SuperChevy Joliet Il.I met Jeremy Newton,he won the NNN Shadow grey Nova giveaway.Then a man pulls up in a 19K Survivor Mile 1970 triple Black L-78 Nova.He is the Orignal owner and lives here in Illinois.I took his name and number and contacted him recently.He is very quiet,but had a very respectable car.I was in awe of it's condition.I hope to see him again soon this summer.

hvychev

03-05-2003, 02:22 AM

Rick their is a guy that goes to Joliet cruise night that has a 69 L78 Nova that is all original. He is not the original owner his brother was who died and left him the car. His brother bought the car brand new from Bill Jacobs Chevrolet in Joliet and raced it a little bit. Still had the original dealer decal on it. (Looked similar to the modern one but definately a period sticker.) His last name is Korales. Had a couple of day 2 mods on it. Black slapper bars, chrome fan shroud, a cool hurst shifter ball, and I think a different intake. The rest of the car was shockingly original and nice and was also black on black. I can't remember if it had a vinal top though.

Rick I just reread your post and the car had similar miles. I think less than 20K and this guy was very quiet as well.

55chevy

03-05-2003, 02:27 AM

I remember that 70 Shadow Grey Nova well from back when it was one of Wayne Busheys personals. It was in very nice condition even before it was restored to giveaway. I never rode in it but I did get a chance to ride in the all original '69 Maroon/black L78 Nova Wayne also had. That Nova was VERY strong. Quite a ride! And I remember him telling me the Shadow Grey car was stronger yet! Anyone here know of this Maroon '69 or perhaps own it now? I'm thinking he has sold that one in the few years since I've seen it. It was a low mile original car, L78, black bench interior, 4spd, 4:10 posi, Black vinyl top, dog dish hubcaps, not much rubber left on the rear tires. Anyone know it?

Ed /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

Mr70

03-05-2003, 02:35 AM

Frank
This Nova is almost identical,but it is a 1970 SS L-78 Nova and no Vinyl top.I mispoke.Still in Lacquer paint and Docs.He got his picture taken in SuperChevy 1998 issue with his son.They loved him there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I met Jeremys Dad last year and he told me Jeremy Sold the NNN Nova to go to college. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Allen

03-05-2003, 03:20 AM

I remember Wayne's '69 SS396 L78 car. It was a low-mile, bench seat, four-speed. I saw it in PA at his shop when I visited there in '95 (was in York for a friend's wedding). He also brought that car to '96 Nova Nationals in Cincinnati. Needless to say, I didn't win it in the raffle.

55chevy

03-05-2003, 03:43 AM

Did they raffle the '69 maroon Nova? I just talked to an old NNN buddy and he confirmed wayne don't own that one these days. Anyone know where this car lives today? I always liked that car.

Ed

RonNova396L34

03-05-2003, 07:36 AM

Ed,
I think you guys are referring to the maroon 69 L78 giveaway car. It is on the front cover of the October 1998 issue of Nova Times. The article on the car is on page 42 and it says the car was given away and the winner was William Nesley Jr of Pottstown, PA. It says it was a 28,000 mile bench seat 4 speed car. Is this the same one guys? This car had a vinyl top and dog dish wheels.
Ron /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY

03-05-2003, 12:20 PM

That's the car Ron, he is local here - right down the road actually! Neat car.

55chevy

03-05-2003, 11:39 PM

That's gotta be it. I've been out of the NNN loop for a couple years since moving to Oklahoma. I didn't know they'd given away the maroon car. I don't have that issue of the Times either. I think my collection of issues ended in early '97, but I did win a '99 set on Ebay, if they would get here. I remember that car well, had quite a ride in it. I think I have a pic of it somewhere I can post. I'll look for it this evening. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

Ed

55chevy

03-06-2003, 01:38 AM

Here's a pic. I got this pic off the internet, some guy was using it to show locations of model car decals he's selling. I have some personal pictures of this car also I took back around '95-96 but don't have the scanner hooked up right now. This is just about the only maroon car I like. Not my favorite color, but I love this car.

Ed /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif