1970 L78 Nova?
 

Hello everyone. I drop in once in a while but this is my first post. I recently bought a 1970 Nova SS that was said to be a L34 4-speed car with the incorrect engine. Chevelles are what I follow and own so I did some research before looking at the car and was convinced that it was a real Big block car. The owner and I struck a deal and I brought the car home yesterday. My question is without documentaion and the original engine, is it possible to determine if it was an L78 or L34 car? The car has the numbers matching M-21 and CBT coded 12-bolt rear. It has a single fuel line and was built the first week of October 1969. The car is Cranberry Red with Black bucket seats. What looks to be the original tune-up label lists it as a 402-350 HP. Any tell-tale signs to look for? Thanks, Troy

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

L78 car will have the single 3/8 diameter fuel line. If the car has a factory tachometer in it the red line for the L78 car will be higher, 6,500 VS. 5,500 for the L34 car.

Other than this there is not much more to delineate between the two on horsepower settings. There are other clues to delineate a big block car vs. small block but that's about it...

If you do have an L34 car I can tell you it is more rare than an L78. They made less of them in 70... Seems odd but true Approx. 1,802 L34 units VS. 3,765 L78 units.

Also the L78 car would have had a smog system but the L34 would not have in 1970.

Rich

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

The car has a single 3/8 fuel line from the tank to the engine. No tach, so that doesn't help. The original engine is long gone so no signs of a smog system. I guess it really doesn't matter with the original engine gone. I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity I guess. Thanks for the reply.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

.I wonder if it came with aluminum heads
... maybe an L89 ? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Pull the rear seat bottom. It may have a broadcast sheet in the springs. Earl

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

The car came with 2 broadcast sheets but nothing like what I would call a build sheet that lists the selling dealer and all the equipment the car was built with. I had the back seat out and found nothing there. I may pull the backs off the bucket seats and take a look.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

I would be very surprised to find anymore paper work in that car. I would start doing ownership research you might have some luck with that approach.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Whatever engine it had, that's a nice looking Nova!

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

70 Nova build sheets(acually those are Fischer bodysheets) do not denote engine code, L78, L34 L48 etc. like the 69 sheets did

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: John</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
.I wonder if it came with aluminum heads
... maybe an L89 ? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] </div></div>

You never know anymore!!......... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]