2007 Nova Update
During 2007 the Nova pretty much sat on the jackstands. After last years big wheelie that killed the oil pan, and in turn ate a rod bearing in the ol’ 505 it was time to step up to a new engine. Out came the 505 and I started the build on a bigger, badder bullet.
The foundation of the new engine is the new Dart Race Series block which was custom ordered in 10.2 deck height, 4.600 bore. The block was ordered in November 2006 but Dart botched the order and sent a block with the wrong bore size. It took 3 months to get that straightened out and the correct block to the machine shop. In a nutshell, that delay componded problems getting the heads, pistons, etc. in delaying the engine build and I didn’t finish it until October 2007.
While I was working on the engine, I also worked at getting some more weight out of the car. The Centerline convo-pros were sold and I got a set of Bogart Bolted R/T’s which added a bit more bling to ol’ Blue.
You know how you change one thing, and a dozen more problems crop up? I found out when we finally got the car out to go test in late October that the new 15×12 rims caused the tire to rub enough that it was upsetting the car. It did run a 9.44 on the motor loading and unloading due to the tire problem, but when we tried to spray it I smoked the 2nd gear clutches in the TH400 again. Soooo back to the drawing board…
The 400 came out and was replaced with a Neal Racing Transmissions Pro Glide which helped get a bunch of weight out of the car. The shifter was modified with new gates for the 2 speed, and the rear end came out to be narrowed again. Since I had ran out of room to clear the 28×10.5W tires on a 12″ rim, I deceided it was time to both narrow the rear end and redo the mini tubs. So to conclude 2007, the Nova was up on the jack stands once again…
Comments (4)
Hey John,
What did you do to your wheel tubs, did you increase the section width or did you install actual wheel tubs, and could we see your work.
How much more were you able to shorten the rear end housing??
Phil
I kept the stock outer tub to the lip where the inner joint is at, then on the inside I used aftermarket race type steel tubs. I did increase the section width opening quite a bit, I took it all the way in at the back to the inner edge of the OEM frame rail. On the inside of the OEM Frame rail I plated and reinforced that area to strengthen it back up. I think overall I shortened the rear end about 1.5″ per side which centered the wheel pretty close. I can now fit a 29.5×10.5S tire on a 12″ rim with the car low without them rubbing. From a side view the rim is about even with the fender opening.
I’ll get some pictures posted of the things I did in 2008 to the car here before too long, been working on the site a little bit every day.
John
Hi I love the site.I was just wondering how wide is your rearend is in the car? Thanks Steve
Hi Steve,
Thanks for visiting. On the rearend width I’ll have to dig around and find my drawing on that or measure it for you, I don’t recall off the top of my head.
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