am73grand Posted February 15, 2015 Author Share Posted February 15, 2015 I googled slapping a big block into a first Gen Nova and it looks like the shock towers need to be moved. I'm going to try and work around that so I can keep the awesome detailed front end. For now I've got to let some glue dry. More to come! they dont need to be moved but notched, the top of the tower is the same but yo cut the inner side out that faces the engine and re-plate it further outboard, the cut/plate goes from the top of the tower to the bottom directly above the upper control arm mount. The engine will fit without this being done but you wont get a real set of headers on the car and changing plugs is harder than winning the powerball. Its also common to cut out the vertical rear inner panels between the firewall and the shock tower for headers to exit, It is darn near i,possible to fit a good BB header between the frame rails on a first gen nova as the rails are narrow the steering box is right in the way. I still have one of the front ends that is modified as described I may could get pictures of if you want, Ive built a few and still race a 64 nova. Im still hunting a trumpeter hard top to make a replica of the race car. Thank youvVery much for the info!!!! Yes pictures would be VERY helpful as I'm getting ready to start on the engine bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo nova Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) I'll try to get some good ones in the morning, anything else want pics of? Ill go pillage my photobucket to see if I have any on there before we put the new front end on it EDIT: everything on there is when we switched front ends and power adders, Ill get some tomorrow. Edited February 15, 2015 by turbo nova Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo nova Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 as you can see in this one, there is a ton of wasted space between the spring and the inner tower this is a front view to give ya an idea on how deep the cut was on this front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am73grand Posted February 15, 2015 Author Share Posted February 15, 2015 Thank you so much!!!! Those pics are a HUGE help. Like they say a picture is worth 1000 words. I've got a really good idea of the clearance I need to make now. Again thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo nova Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 happy to help, I love first gens, they are an awful choice for a race car but they have style Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truck parts Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Thank's Ron for the tip on the super glue and baking soda. May have to give it a try. Do you mix the super glue and baking soda together and then use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am73grand Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 Thank's Ron for the tip on the super glue and baking soda. May have to give it a try. Do you mix the super glue and baking soda together and then use it? I apply the superglue and then while it's still wet sprinkle the baking soda on the glue. It hardens instantly and forms a really strong bond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo nova Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 are you going to use al the side trim or shave it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowe-t Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 I think I still have that issue of Hot Rod with Rick Dobbertins '65 Nova. I remember reading that back in '82 and couldn't believe what Rick put into the motor. This is a really interesting build and you are doing a fantastic job so far! Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am73grand Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 are you going to use al the side trim or shave it? Right now I'm planning on keeping it. I like the way it looks.......I'm still trying to design a paint scheme that pays homage to the Dobbertin car but is still unique enough to be my own..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubbs Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 looking good, nice to see people helping out with this pro street build.BTW, you kits and magazines will be in the mail tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Twister Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Great job you're doing...I always liked Dobbertin's Nova also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truck parts Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 Thanks Ron, for the super glue tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am73grand Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 I finally have some progress to show on this one. Here's my engine. I've still got to add plug wires, the idler pulley for the blower belt and an alternator. I've also got to add the starter with it's wiring and the shifter cable. I will be detailing the chassis on this one. Here's the bare front subframe, modded to fit the big block and turbo 400. Notice I also filled all the grooves in to make it look better. Here's the engine mocked up in the car. I only had to remove some molded in bumps from the inner fenders to get the big block exhaust manifolds to work. Headers would have been a nightmare. And here's the trunk mocked up. I've still got room for the nitrous bottles (Which have not arrived yet). It will be full but should look pretty cool. as always thanks for looking!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKerry Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Looks good so far!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurattraction Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 That's shaping up quite nicely Ron! Nice update, sir... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am73grand Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 Spent some time on this tonight. I got the idler pulley installed in the front of the blower. Did something new tonight. I added a shifter cable to the tranny. I'll add the speedo cable, dip stick and cooling lines later. I have a seperate tranny cooler I'll be using. I also lengthened the package tray: And I mocked up the wheels and tires. I know they're not very 80's but they do look good under there: I may use aluminum wheels........not sure yet. We'll see. Thanks for looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjs1988 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 awesome build, I love these nova's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am73grand Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 Got a lot more done on this. The chassis pan is painted top and bottom. This shot shows the overall blue I'll be using on this: The engine is shaping up nicely as well. Not sure if I'll use this hat or a bigger one...... I also started roughing in the hole in the hood. Again I may go with a bigger hat....... I also got my sub frame connectors built. My next project is roughing in the door shells and jambs. Interior will be all black just like Dobbertins car. I'm going to add a simple hoop roll bar. No cage........a lot of cars from the 80's didn't even have a hoop! As always thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowe-t Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Ron, the chassis and motor look fantastic! BTW, what paint/color is that you are using? Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Nice work. Looking forward to seeing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am73grand Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 Ron, the chassis and motor look fantastic! BTW, what paint/color is that you are using? Mike. Thanks Mike, the paint is Testors One Shot Icy Blue Lacquer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrone Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Looking great bro... keep it comin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Twister Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Its looking real nice...Keep at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooneyzs Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 I am totally digging this Nova. I have always liked this body style. Keep up the great work. Really like the blue. you gonna do a two tone on the car? Blue with a white roof?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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