L-78 Nova fan spacer

**92646** · #1 03-27-2008, 08:56 PM

I was reading in one of the magazines this month that a spacer was installed from the factory on a 1969 and 1970 L-78 396/375hp Nova between the water pump pulley and the fixed blade fan to put it closer to the radiator. Somebody said the same thing to me when I had a L-78 Nova on e-bay awhile back. Has anybody ever seen this from the factory? I do not see how there is enough room because the fan looks pretty close to the radiator to me.
Mark Sheppard

**Mr. Chevy** · #2 03-27-2008, 10:40 PM

I don't believe this to be true Mark. You are exactly right, the distance between the radiator and fan is very close already. I think a spacer would put the fan right into the radiator.. I never saw anything in the assembly manual either to indicate there was a spacer on the L78 cars, nor have I ever observed one on an original L78 car.. Mine never had it!! Maybe the magazine meant Chevelles. I think there is a considerable space distance on those cars from the fan to the radiatior vs. the Novas...

Rich

396L78canuck · #3 03-28-2008, 03:31 AM

I agree!When I installed the original fan on my 70 L78 Nova after having the radiator rebuilt I could barely get my hand between the fan and rad to get the fan bolts started.Bob

ricks69l78 · #4 03-28-2008, 04:38 AM

Hi, new to the site this is my first post/reply.
The hugger orange 69 L78 in the article would be mine and the no spacer would be correct as I don't have one as the fan is bolted directly to the pulley & pump. I guess from the June 2007 GM Nationals till the actual release of the article some things get a little incorrect and I'm sure it takes alot to put together so much info to do a magazine and they also stated it had a Hurst shifter and it doesn't it has the original Muncie and it states I live in Missouri (MO) and I live in Maryland (MD) but all that little stuff doesn't matter to me as I'm just honored to be in the Magazine with those other INCREDIBLE RARE NOVAS and still can't believe it.
Hope this clears up any confusion anyway.

Thanks
Rick

**firstgenaddict** · #5 03-28-2008, 04:45 AM

Welcome Rick... great looking Nova

ricks69l78 · #6 03-28-2008, 04:55 AM

Thank you, Glad to be a member of the site.

**JRSully** · #7 03-28-2008, 04:56 AM

Memo to BB Nova restorers. "install fan before dropping in radiator" will save lots of curse words and blood

deuce-less · #8 03-28-2008, 05:22 AM

not having a copy of the mag to puruse

i'm curious about the hugger orange 69 nova mentioned, was it a hugger orange car, factory produced in that color?

where might a copy of the mag be purchased?

ricks69l78 · #9 03-28-2008, 05:40 AM

No it wasn't a original hugger orange car it was paint code 71 like your Camaro. The car was repainted several years ago before I purchased it in 2004, The person who had it before me said he like the color so he had it done as the original paint had faded and the vinyl top was replaced also. I like the orange also as it stands out with the black trim and maybe some time down the road I'll repaint it or total frame off the car. You might be able to get a copy at a book store like Borders or Barnes & Noble.

**92646** · #10 03-28-2008, 05:49 AM

Welcome aboard Rick, you have come to the right place and you have a very nice car. Allen, I just got home and went to the library (bathroom)to find the name of the magazine. It is Muscle car review, April 2008. The article states that the car was originally blue and was repainted orange awhile back. Rick, just so you know the reason for the question. Allen is having restored an original 1969 L-78 Nova that came orange from the factory.
Mark Sheppard

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