Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen - Page 2

**WILMASBOYL78** · #11 11-17-2009, 06:02 AM

The CW coded trannys were very similar to the CX and CY coded units that came before in 68-69....HD internals, special governor, 6 lug converter, and so on...these trannys are really something to experience. You put the car in drive...mash the pedal and it upshifts at around 6200-6300 rpm on it's own

This worked real well with high revving solid lifter engines. Your car should have a CW coded tranny...

wilma

70ChevyGuy · #12 11-17-2009, 08:32 AM

M-bird: With a 3:31 rear end and this tranny I'm a bit perplexed. Both DO in fact seem to be mostly found on L34's with some who claim that they were special ordered on very few L78's. The the engine matches on an extremely thorough restoration. Would seem odd to waste an L78 and such a extensive restoration using an incorrect tranny and rear end; especially on a forest green nova. Similarly if you were to scuff and stamp an L78; why do it on a Green Nova with an incorrect ass end? Open to thoughts in this regard, gents.

92646 · #13 11-17-2009, 08:52 AM

Well you will know in a few weeks if it was a good buy or not. What is the redline on the tach? Was there any paperwork to show how the car was ordered?

**WILMASBOYL78** · #14 11-17-2009, 04:29 PM

Mark's question about the tach is a good one...the photos in the ad don't show enough detail on the tach. The forest green paint looks very nice....exterior trim matches the trim tag.

wilma

CDNL-78 · #15 11-17-2009, 05:51 PM

Looks like you bought a keeper, nice looking car. Hope all the numbers work out in your favor. Find out who restored the car, see if they had the back seat out of the car. Maybe theres a line sheet attached to it some where. That would be the first thing to look for when it gets to it's new home. And don't forget the pictures. We like pictures.

**JRSully** · #16 11-17-2009, 07:06 PM

70 Fischer body build sheet won't show engine designation like the 69 does, unless it is a full Broadcast sheet which would but is rarer than Hen's teeth in a Nova. Check the stampings on the block and check the Tach as others pointed out. Sounds like an L34 from the bellhousing back, but I have seen weirder stuff, nice looking car though and you couldn't build it for that much

92646 · #17 11-17-2009, 07:26 PM

I learn something new every day but I thought the engine code should be CKO for the 375hp/402 Nova. I thought the CTY code was for Chevelle and Camaro only.

**Mr70** · #18 11-17-2009, 07:28 PM

Nope..all three L-78 equipped cars shared those codes,as did other engine suffix codes among vehicles.

70ChevyGuy
I've yet to see/hear of any L-78 engine be backed by a CF trans from the factory.Can you show us examples?
The warranty issues alone would've frightend them off.

What's the casting date on your 3:31?

**YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY** · #19 11-17-2009, 08:18 PM

The 'A' and the '3' check out. The 'A' on the TT is for a black interior to match the black seats. The '3' indicates 3 exterior moldings, drip rail, door frame, and rocker.

Also, check the fuel line clips for the 1 or 2 fuel lines.

70ChevyGuy · #20 11-17-2009, 10:49 PM

6K tach mathces the one in this example (this site has the right image incidentally but the wrong redline figure). Bottom L78 tach is actually a 6K redline but they do look is deceiving)

Single fuel line.

Rear axle same week as trim tag (was told this is not uncommon on fisher tags from Willow Run) CBS 04 15 G 2 Carrier number 3968341

So I agree, looks L34 from bell housing back. Hard to convince myself someone would order it for high end and not stoplights.

www.chevynova.org/NovaTachs.html