Altus Racing and ChevySpeed

Altus Racing and ChevySpeed
http://www.chevyspeed.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl Drag Racing >> Technical Forum >> Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project Stage #1 http://www.chevyspeed.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1139450551 Message started by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:02:29

Title: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project Stage #1
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:02:29

Welcome to ChevySpeed.com!
This is project SuperNova, A 1969 Chevrolet Nova that needed a little help.
When I purchased this car, it had been sitting in a field for 16 years.
Let the fun begin...

0001_nova_8-9-02a_001.jpg (58 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:05:23

One of the first things we did was remove the hood. Just for fun, we wanted to see if the old 6 cyl. would fire up.
As you can see in this picture, the left front fender and bumper had been damaged and the car had the original wheels and dog-dish center caps.

0002_nova_8-9-02b_001.jpg (59 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:35:07

Eventhough it had been sitting outside in the elements for years, the body didn't have too much rust, just a little near the back window and of-course the floors, but the fenders were in good shape.

0003_nova_8-9-02c.jpg (53 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:37:17

Inside Passenger side, extremely dirty but it had not been cleaned in over 15 years.

0004_nova_8-9-02d.jpg (58 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:38:19

Inside Driver's Side. The plastic on the steering wheel was broken in several places, and the shift handle did not move the transmission linkage.

0005_nova_8-9-02e_001.jpg (62 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Chris Smith on 02/08/06 at 20:40:03

:D Nice start!

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:44:33

The backseat was in good shape and didn't have any major tears.

0006_nova_8-9-02f.jpg (60 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:46:59

The head-liner definately had to go, it was one of the first things I removed. I have since purchased a new headliner and have yet to install it. Dome lamp has been replaced.

0007_nova_8-9-02g.jpg (52 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:49:36

This was the trunk the first time I opened it, It still had the original spare and high lift jack. Suprizingly the trunk only had minor surface rust.

0008_nova_8-9-02h.jpg (54 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:54:23

After just a few short hours of ownership, a new battery, fresh oil, and some gas- the engine fired up!
It actually ran pretty good for being so old. After adding some ATF, (Automatic Transmission Fluid) Chris and I took it for a drive, although not very far- the alignment was horrible and we didn't want to go farther than we were willing to push it back. ;D

0009_nova_8-9-02i_001.jpg (74 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 20:58:41

At this point I began the dis-assembly of the front clip. I removed the bumper and associated brackets, then the left fender.
My next step was to locate a replacement fender. With a little searching and few phone calls and emails, I located an original 1969 Nova fender in Arizona. Sure, I could have ordered a new one from Goodmark or YearOne, but I wanted authentic 1969 metal.

0010_nova_8-28-02b.jpg (64 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:03:09

Because of the damage, I took several pictures of the left front side to gauge if anything else had been bent besides the fender and bumper. The radiator support was tweaked slightly, and the inner fender was a little out of shape.

0011_nova_8-28-02a.jpg (65 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:04:44

Passenger front corner, for reference of what a straight one should look like. :)

0012_nova_8-28-02h.jpg (70 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:07:56

Another picture of the damaged left side, On the radiator support you can see the regulator and relay-which did not work correctly- But I would not need these as I would move to a newer electrical system.

0013_nova_8-28-02i.jpg (71 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:10:25

At this point I have the entire front clip removed and hardware (bolts and shims) labeled in seperate bags.

0014_nova_8-28-02c.jpg (62 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:11:28

Second picture of front clip removed.

0015_nova_8-28-02d.jpg (66 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:13:17

Thanks to my brother, Travis for helping me with the removal of the front clip.

0017_nova_8-28-02f.jpg (59 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:16:35

At this point, I have removed the old engine and transmission, blower motor, heater core, and wiper motor assembly.
Next, I welded in metal to cover the holes and strengthen the firewall.
I also used a sledge hammer to 'gently' move the firewall back to accomodate distributor clearance for a V-8.

0019_nova_8-23-02a.jpg (58 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:17:45

Top view of the firewall after I had modified it.

0020_nova_8-23-02b.jpg (59 KB | )

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project
Post by Jared Black on 02/08/06 at 21:18:42

Look for Stage #2

Title: Re: Jared Black's 1969 Nova Project Stage #1
Post by robzridez on 02/09/06 at 19:17:59

WOW I forgot how sad it looked when you brought it home. You've definatly came along way.