1970 L78 Nova on Ebay

[Bahnz70]

This is my car up for sale - details are on the listing, I will try to post the link, but incase it does not work item# is 4615297216.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...E%3AIT&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4615297216&rd=1&sspage name=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1)

[PeteLeathersac]

Hey Mike....I'm not a buyer but do you have the engine pad stamping info from the guy who has the reputed orig. block? ~ Pete

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Small block rad holddown? Might want to post a pic or two of the core support to show that it's the big block version.

[Allen]

Neat car! A clear picture of the tach, number of fuel lines, core support opening that Marlin mentioned.... all good things to document with photos.

[Stefano]

It would be neat to see the stamp on the original engine as well as casting dates.

From the adv; "I am told that some of the early 70 L78 Novas were aluminum head cars but I cannot prove any of this either way - just a note!"

Does anyone have evidence of the illusive L89 Novas?

Good luck with the sale.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone have evidence of the illusive L89 Novas?


[/ QUOTE ]

Nope! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[mnyenko]

I looked at this car in Des Moines IA last fall. It was on ebay and for sale at a local used car lot. Seems to be a real big block SS car. Very rusty for a IA car. Needs everything. It would have made a good big brother for my FG deuce. Just too far gone with out original motor for me. Earl

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Might want to take a pic of the SS braces under the hood, and a fuel line clip to ensure that it was originally a single line car.

The CBT rear is the standard 3.55 for L78's, but I believe could also be obtained in other models as well.

[Bahnz70]

Thank you guys for all of the input - I will do what i can do get some additional pictures of the important parts here in the next day or so.

[Schonyenko2]

Howie's sure they made some L89's, but I keep tellin him he's crazy. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Stefano]

He is!

[Belair62]

I know an old fart that says he has seen one...

[Kim_Howie]

OK I stated before, never seen one, never heard of one. I don't think they made one!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[olredalert]

-------I resemble that remark, Bob. Im pretty sure of what I saw at Bob McDormans back in 1969. Since Bob is a certified gearhead (and good guy) someone with a real stake in this should just call him and ask him. Ought to be pretty cut and dried.........Bill S

[Schonyenko2]

Please, someone contact this gentlman, and have him post some documentation, or proof. You can rest assured that I won't call Mr. Howie and say,"I told ya so, I told ya so". http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Play nice now boys... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

wilma

Wish I had an L89 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[Charley Lillard]

I think they made a L89 Nova...

[SSJunkie68-69]

Charley is correct...dang it!

Late '04 I was helping a friend of mine do some research on a 1970 L89 Nova he was thinking about buying. The car had no paperwork and the seller freely indicated that without the paperwork you would have to assume it was something that somebody put together ( pretty honest guy I thought for coming out and stating that). The car was very nice and a extremely correct "recreation" that won more than a few awards at Super Chevy shows. Anyway in doing the research, we did find someback up that more then a few L89 were produced from the factory. I'll try and go through my notes and see if I can find the source we found.

[kwhizz]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/DSC00866.jpg

Here's one.........Oh Yeah!!.....That's Right.......It's not real......I made it!!!!!!!.....LOL

Ken

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]

Here's one.........Oh Yeah!!.....That's Right.......It's not real......I made it!!!!!!!.....LOL

Ken

[/ QUOTE ]

And Did it nicely...I may add! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Kim_Howie]

I have looked for one 20 +years, never seen one yet. The thing to think about they say they made 311 al head Nova's. You would think one would show up??? I would like to know just the suffix for it??? There is 50 Gibb Nova's and we have found 20. How come we can't find just one Al head nova. Very simple THEY DIDN"T MAKE ONE. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[olredalert]

Kim,

-------Another way to attack this might be to track down a guy named Bill that used to be one of Bobs head mechanics. He left McDormans and to my understanding was one of the principal guys that started "The Rod Shops" in the Columbus area. I dont think the Rod Shops is a goung concern anymore, but Bill probably saw every high perf car that ever came into McDorman Chevrolet. I got to know him in 1966 when both he and I raced our 66 425 Vettes, although he was a real racer at the time and I was more of a wanna-be. He used to lend me slicks and adjust my valves and stuff. Very nice guy. I wish I could remember his last name as that would make finding him a bunch easier........Bill S

------I just Googled The Rod Shops and got nothing.

[PeteLeathersac]

[ QUOTE ]
I have looked for one 20 +years, never seen one yet. The thing to think about they say they made 311 al head Nova's. You would think one would show up??? I would like to know just the suffix for it??? There is 50 Gibb Nova's and we have found 20. How come we can't find just one Al head nova. Very simple THEY DIDN"T MAKE ONE. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Listings I've looked at indicate L89 Chevy 2-Nova suffix's as CKP-M40 and CKT also CKU as stick (same as Chevelle suffixes). . Although no '70 Camaro L89 suffix is noted, interesting is CJB suffix, Camaro L35 w/ alum heads and Powerglide?!! ~ Pete

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
I think they made a L89 Nova...

[/ QUOTE ]

Most of us think so too, just have never seen a documented one http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Jeff H]

I just think the numbers from Chevrolet that say 311 Nova's with L89 and 311 Camaro's with L89 say that something isn't right. It could be a coincidence but I think it's probably a mistake by Chevrolet(or Tonawanda).

[PeteLeathersac]

Isn't the 311 quantity for 1969 cars....we're talking about 1970 model year production cars now aren't we? . When doing the 'homework' keep in mind the confusion w/ the extended '69 model production also the change to three digit 'C' suffixes for '70. ~ Pete

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

We'd be happy to find an L89 Nova from either '68-'69-or'70! We believe the 311 number only pertains to '69 Camaros.

[Enoch]

I know someone who has a 70 black L-89 nova that is having the engine compartment freshened up. I don't remember what he said he had for paper work. Is it real I don't know I've not seen it. It is in a shop east of the mississippi. I'm surprised nothing has been said about this car before http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Hmmm... East of the Missi? That narrows it down http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif (The one in NJ? It was at the Nova show in AC last Sept.)

[camarojoe]

[ QUOTE ]
Hmmm... East of the Missi? That narrows it down http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif (The one in NJ? It was at the Nova show in AC last Sept.)

[/ QUOTE ]

If i recall, the owner of the car forgot to bring along any paperwork to prove the car was originally an L89. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

[Enoch]

Did you see it Marlin? What were your thoughts? I didn't want to be too specific(sp?) as I don't know if the owner wanted that known.
Did you ask him about documentation? And finally was he from NY?
Thanks, just curious.
Rich.

[PeteLeathersac]

Sounds promising Enoch....wow, black too! . Please bring on whatever info you can....if true, it's sure a great topic to get to the bottom of! . The dogs are hungry and may be out hunting for their own dinner already? ~ Pete

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

BK and I were all over it. The heads were... different, but not sure why, it was just strange. There was nothing on the car to prove L89, I don't think it has the original block, but it was a code 10 car. In my opinion, it looked like a pair of dated heads were installed http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Might sound strange, but my buddy Neal in NY put a set of NOS, dated '68, L89 heads on his '68 Nova for the pure stock race in Michigan. So, if he ever sold that car, the next owner might think that they were original.

I think part of the problem is that we assume that the engine code of an L89 Nova will be the same as an L89 Camaro - would make sense since they share the same L78 codes. But, without seeing one in person, we don't know that for sure. So, there are some cars with the L78 engine code, but with dated L89 heads - does that mean that it's an L78 or an L89 that they didn't bother using the L89 suffix code for? Most of us would lean towards that situation being an L78 - unless there was paperwork to show an L89, of which we have seen none http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[@wot]

I would assume a 1970 L89 Nova would have a proprietary engine code, possibly the same as that of the L89 Chevelle. I have never seen what I would consider a factory built piece, and don't believe that any were sold. I wish one would surface!

[Mr70]

For 1970 the Factory only built 18 of the L-89 Chevelles and that's it.
I've seen two authentic still standing today,with the CKT/CKP Prefix.
I really believe that no other Chevrolet car got Aluminum heads on the Assembly line in 1970.

[raw muscle cars]

I am going to get riffed but thats ok.

there is a very well known restoration shop currently restoring a documented L89 nova. I dont beleive this shop is in the bussiness to lie...

[Schonyenko2]

I will give you my opinion FWIW. I think there may have been 68, or 69 L89s, but no 70s. I think for some reason that novas had no specific suffix number for it. The nbr being the same as an L78. That's why you can't find any by using the suffix code. The proof will be on the window sticker, or dealer order if by nothing else the price. Al heads were around 400.00 more than cast iron. I have seen a dealer order like that, but not the car.
Now, all that said, I could be wrong. Howie, and me are both old. Seen both L89 camaros, and chevelles back in the day, but no novas. Never even any urban ledgends about one. But I owned a Yenko back then, and never saw or heard of a copo either. So who knows. I'm still hopein. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Mr70]

Howie said he flipped at least one. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Chevy454]

Sounds similar to our Y-Camaro...the original owner remembers it having aluminum heads when he first had it (had to warranty them because he dropped a valve) and we've had folks come up out of the blue at shows that remembered the car back in the day that said they remembered the car having aluminum heads on it in the beginning...but everyone says no aluminum headed L72s...http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Kim_Howie]

No your wrong!! I flipped three of them!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I also believe that there were some L89 Novas in '68 or '69, but not '70. Would love to see a documented one, regardless of the engine code!

[Kim_Howie]

Marlin I would love to see one. Then we could race B/S with them.

[WILMASBOYL78]

I just went over to the shop and checked, and all my cars have aluminum heads! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif They were just painted to hide the truth. How do I clean off all that orange paint?? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

wilma

[lowmile]

So I guess I should have scraped the paint on the HEAD of the Orange car before it left. Who new??? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[kwhizz]

That's why God invented the Magnet..........LOL

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/youguysrock.gif

[55chevy]

[ QUOTE ]
I just went over to the shop and checked, and all my cars have aluminum heads! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif They were just painted to hide the truth. How do I clean off all that orange paint?? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

wilma

[/ QUOTE ]

That's why nobody can find one.. Wilma has them all http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[copo-2]

[ QUOTE ]
I also believe that there were some L89 Novas in '68 or '69, but not '70. Would love to see a documented one, regardless of the engine code!

[/ QUOTE ]

While it is hard to say never, it has been brought up about true documentation surfacing. Before one can be documented by old, original paperwork, this issue will never be settled for sure? There are codes from different sources, identifying the L-89 to the Nova, and as mentioned the Camaro & Nova do carry the same code in some cases? Yet, to my knowledge, not even one of these has been properly documented, although attempts have been made? If there ever is one that can be fully documented, I believe at this point it would have to be a 69? My reasoning for this is the fact that it has already been mentioned about the low number of L-89's designated for 70 Chevelles (18), but in 68 if you think about another aspect, this being the Gibb Novas and the reason they were built in the first place? This may be going out on a limb a little to mention this, but since these cars were made for NHRA competition, and were radio delete to save weight, Fred Gibb being aware and updated on the latest issues of Chevrolet high performance, etc., what better way would there have been to take an extra 60lbs., or so off the car, especially off the most important part, the front end, unless this would have made them too light for the classification they were being built to run? Would this have not been a good set-up for the 50 car requirement for Super Stock competition? The 68 Gibb cars record is still on file as well as the 50th L-78 Nova being built on April 23rd of 1968 in their records with a letter from GM document? NHRA was very stringent and required documentation or proof from GM, Ford, Chrysler, & all the car manufactures of this time period. Question; Has anyone ever contacted NHRA to see if maybe 50 L-89 Novas were ever documented by a letter from GM? I believe NHRA would have such a record if they were legal to run during this time frame, though I know they have become a little more liberal since on ethics of that period, as too what was stock back then? AHRA was altogether a different subject in the way of their classifications? What about Bill Jenkins 68 Nova? What heads did he run, aluminum or steel? On this I do not know the answer, but if he would have been allowed to run the aluminuim and did, then surely they built at least 50 or otherwise he would have had to run Modified Production? Now, there is a difference between even 1 and 50, but this is only a thought? I do not have all the answers and like all, are to trying to learn the facts? Discussion is good and I am only conveying my personal thoughts on this issue, but unless one can be properly documented beyond reasonable doubt, this question will never be put to rest? I agree, I would love to see one, adding yet another piece of history for the Nova? Ray

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Ditto Ray, I too think that if one were to surface it would most likely be a '69. I wouldn't be surprised to find documents of a dealer installed set of L89 heads on a Nova, I'm thinking of cars like K.Suydam's Nickey Nova.

[copo-2]

[ QUOTE ]
Ditto Ray, I too think that if one were to surface it would most likely be a '69. I wouldn't be surprised to find documents of a dealer installed set of L89 heads on a Nova, I'm thinking of cars like K.Suydam's Nickey Nova.

[/ QUOTE ]

Marlin,

I agree to this possibility and could have run stock in AHRA, IHRA, and some of those because they were bought new and invoiced as such? Ray

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
Marlin I would love to see one. Then we could race B/S with them.

[/ QUOTE ]Why can't you run B/S with them? I believe NHRA allows it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Kim_Howie]

I was just kidding http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[SSJunkie68-69]

Was going through my notes from 04 as per my earlier post and came across this info from the site listed below:

http://www.geocities.com/novaessess/sseqip.htmI

1970 Chevy Nova SS

111-inch wheelbase
Super Sport equipment option (RPO Z26) available for Nova Coupe Model 11427.

Exterior Features:black-accented grill with SS badge;simulated air intakes on
hood;black rear panel with SS emblem (or black-ribbed rear panel trim plate if
also equipped with RPO ZJ2 Custom Exterior group);E70x14 white-stripe Wide Oval
tires on seven-inch rims.

Interior Features:black steering wheel and column with SS hub emblem.


Engine Availability

RPO# Type CID Rated HP Torque Comp. Carb.
L48* V-8 350 300@4800 380@3200 10.25 4-bbl
L34 V-8 402** 350@5200 415@3400 10.25 4-bbl
L78 V-8 402** 375@5600 415@3600 11.0 4-bbl
*included with RPO Z26 equipment.
**marketed as Turbo-Jet 396.

Engine codes and insignia
L48 350/300-hp:CNJ, CNK, CRE, CTB(manual), CTC(TH400)
L34 402/350-hp:CTX,CTW,CTZ.
L78 402/375-hp:CKO,CTY,CKQ.
L89-375/396:CKP,CKT,CKU.

Insignia:numerals above front fender marker lamps.

UPDATED INFO !!

CTB- 350/300-hp manual
CTC - 350/300-hp TH400


This goes along with what Pete indicated in an earlier post. I have not been able to locate where I thought I saw some production numbers for the L89 but I had written down 3-6 with a question mark next to it. I'm still looking. I don't know a lot about Novas and I was helping a friend research a possible purchase however I was under the impression that basically GM offered the same engine types for both the Nova and the Camaro.

I'll keep looking and if I find something more conclusive I'll post. This thing is starting to bug me now.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Not sure on the accuracy of that info, as the CTB and CTC were 350/360HP engines. Obviously only available in the Nova via COPO 9010. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif