70 Nova TCS Relay

Nova Research Project · #1 12-13-2002, 02:05 AM

Marlin,

At the local Ace hardware I found some aluminum rivets and steel washers the correct size for the TCS relay. They are made by Hillman of Cincinnati. The Rivet is a 3/16" dia. x 1/4" tube rivet with a 3/8" head # 1278M. The steel plated washer was a 1/8" #8 #1235-A. The hole will need to be drilled out to 3/16". I wonder if they make a steel version of the rivets. They also had a Hollow Steel Punch made by General for punching the holes in the plastic for the relay.

I have a few questions. The many year old Softseal wire channel I have is much stiffer and slightly different shape. Not much but a little. Have you bought yours yet? If so how does it compare? Was your original relay installed through the existing holes or punched through the plastic? See attached photo.

Lastly was you relay number 3961573? Today I realized that they are date coded. What was the date code on yours? My replacement is 4-0 (April 70), My original was dated 12-9 (December 69). Looks like I need to find an earlier dated unit. Thanks, Greg

**SS427** · #2 12-13-2002, 02:40 AM

Interesting rivet placement. The rivet looks correct but seems to be facing the wrong direction unless I am looking at it wrong. I have always seen that part of the rivet on the inside of the channel. The pad head part of the rivet has always been showing on the front side.

Allen · #3 12-13-2002, 03:27 AM

I have a couple of those in my stash o' parts. One of them still has the original rivets and looks pretty much like the photo. Where is the date code?

RonNova396L34 · #4 12-13-2002, 04:38 AM

Allen,
If you're looking at one on the firewall gutter, the main number is at the top. The date code is on the right side about half way down. It's on the flat silver colored part.
Ron

RonNova396L34 · #5 12-13-2002, 03:56 AM

Greg,
I went out and looked at my 70 396/350 Nova. The number on the top was 3961573. The date was 8-9. August 69. Sorry, I can't help you guys out with the rivets. I had plastic round plugs instead that appeared to be non original. Add this to my information sheet Greg. I know it's not on there. You'll see the plastic plugs on the video though.
Ron

RonNova396L34 · #6 12-13-2002, 04:42 AM

Greg,
Also my reproduction wiring gutter was too long. I had to cut it shorter.
Ron

Nova Research Project · #7 12-13-2002, 05:22 AM

Ron;

Thanks, mine was the correct length 13 1/16". The orginal has another set of relay holes 3" from the right end as well as another oval mounting hole 3" from the right.

Allen;
The date code is real small just above "INC."

Thanks,Greg

**JRSully** · #8 12-13-2002, 07:20 PM

Marlin, I Have an untouched TCS switch still attached to the wire gutter that I took off that 70 L78 car in Fla, can get you some pics and/or #'s if needed, let me know. Still trying to find time to call you, Try to get over the weekend.

JR

**YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY** · #9 12-13-2002, 08:51 PM

Gregg;
I still have my original wire gutter, and reused it when I did the resto. The TCS switch is also my orig one, but it is pretty sorry looking, hence the need to switch it to the NOS one. The rivets on your pic look just like mine, so if you have found suitable replacements at the hardware store, that is where I will go to check them out. My wire gutter is very stiff, not sure if it was that way originally, or if the 32 years of elements have hardened it up. Either way it still has the telltale 'lines' molded into it, unlike the pretty smooth repo's.
Thx for the pic,

**SS427** · #10 01-18-2003, 11:37 PM

I went and looked at a '70 original mileage Chevelle today and it had these plastic rivets in the gutter. This car was a September Van Nuys car and is almost 100% original excluding plug wires, water pump and radiator (bird). I have never seen these on the Chevelles before. Ron and others have stated they had these on their Nova's. Anyone else seen this type of rivet?
Rick

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