1969 Nova Build Thread!

[carguy502]

So the title is kind of misleading, as the car was already together and being driven as of December 2013. In any case, my name is Don and I have had a 1969 since I was 18. I had a 1969 Chevelle since I was 16, but my father wanted me to have economical transportation for college and I bought the Nova because it was Chevrolet’s economy car of the 1960s (I still have the Chevelle, More on that in a different thread). It was a no-engine basket case that I slapped a Corvette TPI motor into along with a 700-R4, had Maaco paint it, and drove it to and from in college.


The car was wrecked a couple times since the (one skidding Ford Ranger and later, one very dumb deer), but I loved it and I rebuilt it. I pounded on it in College and after, making tons of passes at Sacramento Raceway and, more recently, at autocross and road course events.


Here is the car parked outside of my apartment near UC Santa Barbara


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif[/URL]


Car at Fontana for LA Invasion


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/D%20Swertfeger%201969%20Nova/LAInvasion2011.jpg.html)


Run to the Coast 2011


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/D%20Swertfeger%201969%20Nova/Don_2_zps124f03d8.jpg.html)


Run to the Coast 2012


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/D%20Swertfeger%201969%20Nova/RTTC2012_zpsa41992f0.png.html)


Run to the Coast 2013


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/03/2E879986DF564B8B9590D5A7FC31053538227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/RTTC%20IV/2E879986-DF56-4B8B-9590-D5A7FC310535-38227-0000249EC5AC3FF6_zps3f979d6b.jpg.html)


After more than 10 years of daily driving, this car was starting to show its age and in light of the fact that it is difficult to transport my wife and newborn daughter, Eisleym on my motorcycle (newest vehicle I have ever owned, 1975 CB550!), I have decided to update my Nova to handle the rigors of daily driving all while being fun. Here is what I am starting with:


L98 Corvette 350 with LT4 HotCam, Holley StealthRam, and EZ-EFI 1.0
T56 out of an LT1 Camaro
8.5 10 bolt with a TrueTrac and 3.90s
Hotchkis Performance Leaf Springs
SPC Control Arms with a RideTech TruTurn Tall Spindle kit
13” C4HD front disc brakes w/ Wilwood Calipers
12” rear brakes by Wilwood
17X8 Edelbrock 454s


So the bones of the car are already there. Sure, I want a more powerful motor and a more sophisticated rear suspension, but that is not in the cards. Yet. Here is what I will be doing:


Install Vintage Air GenIV Magnum
Strip, fix all rust/crappy repair from POs and young & stupid me.
Completely adapt 73-74 doors to the car (I HATE wing windows)
Install sound deadening and insulation
Install new interior with Procar Rallys and their nifty back seat covers
Battery relocation to rear to compensate for weight of A/C
Either Widen the rear wheels to 17X10 to run 275/40R17 without the bubble sidewall with 255/40R17 in the front.
OR
Buy TSW Tremblants 18X9.5 and rock 275/35R17s on all 4 corners


Please feel free give me any advice you can think of. I have built many cars in short 29 years on this planet, but I have seen a massive knowledge base, talent, an spirit on Pro-touring.com. More pics should be following in the coming days and weeks. I am shooting to drive the car to the TCI Nova BBQ on June 7th in SoCal, but with my luck, I might be ready by Christmas 2014. Maybe 2015.

Don

[no go nova]

Heres another NOVA lover wanna see more on this build.

[craigs73]

cant wait to see the project to start

[carguy502]

Update time! I knew I had a little one on the way and so I tried to get a head start on the doors and some of the rust. The worst case of rust I knew had been in the rear lower window channel. I knew something was up because I kept on getting water in my trunk after a rain. After my second accident I decided to dig out the rear window channel and found a ton of rust, complete with gaping holes. Being 20, not knowing how to weld, but knowing how to use Bondo, I slicked a quart or more into the channel. It looked good, but never really kept the rain out. I took a trip up to my Ryan’s (novatrifecta on SNS) house in NorCal to wrench on the car do some panel replacement.

Some of my handiwork…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/EB60E82C650A4AE3BFA83ABE06248C8138227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/EB60E82C-650A-4AE3-BFA8-3ABE06248C81-38227-00002497ADE3C8AC_zpsee748922.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/9B30A241B3B8440E8E5EF68EA7B2490F38227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/9B30A241-B3B8-440E-8E5E-F68EA7B2490F-38227-00002497A2F76468_zps3a196853.jpg.html)

And the fix…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/642BC852023F4662BBD072EB2434E0BD38227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/642BC852-023F-4662-BBD0-72EB2434E0BD-38227-000024978E34D1FF_zpsab7ba511.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/810F36C0C59B4FCE930AC24A74AD55A138227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/810F36C0-C59B-4FCE-930A-C24A74AD55A1-38227-000024966AF90F9A_zps5d0a5553.jpg.html)

No beer yet, we still had some cutting to do…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/E5CA0C730332491D9104B5C75798529D38227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/E5CA0C73-0332-491D-9104-B5C75798529D-38227-00002497BC56A71D_zps45cf6d14.jpg.html)

We also took the time to yank my 69-72 doors and swap them for a set of doors I scored for free off a 1974 Olds Apollo. As you can tell, the Apollo was very orange. I will have the tan 73-74 door panels for sale soon, if anyone is interested.

Drivers Side
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/B2DBF14A9DC442548067D2949F26A13E_zps3gt0-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/B2DBF14A-9DC4-4254-8067-D2949F26A13E_zps3gt0z1jd.jpg.html)

Passenger side
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/B61ACC3894BD44F7853F96B26466E0B838227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/B61ACC38-94BD-44F7-853F-96B26466E0B8-38227-0000249673AAD82A_zps9f5b0064.jpg.html)

We also did some front fender well trimming to make room for the 275/35R18s I want to put in there in this iteration of my Nova.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/5FE9C144B919451CAE3FD0B26A65E1FF38227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/5FE9C144-B919-451C-AE3F-D0B26A65E1FF-38227-000024969AA48562_zps72c8969b.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/E9E84C2F752642C48ECDEB1831B4570E38227000-1.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/daswertfeger/media/Nova%20Build%202012-2013/E9E84C2F-7526-42C4-8ECD-EB1831B4570E-38227-000024976BF1ACD5_zps00df9358.jpg.html)

I have spent the past month or so stripping the car and I should have some pics of that coming up very shortly. The car is way more solid than I had thought, but the quarters have been banged about a bit. More to come!

Don

[sinistir]

wow your really getting at it! I had the pleasure of meeting you last year at the bbq (after you won the bbq! I think) and really gave me inspiration to get the lead out on my nova. finally got the motor working good and now working out the interior. hoping to get all done for this years bbq as well. pretty doubtful at this point. lol anyways looking forward to seeing your progress and build. kool!

[chicagoTDP]

I did the same vent window delete.
I gotta ask though what you are going to do for door panels?

[carguy502]

wow your really getting at it! I had the pleasure of meeting you last year at the bbq (after you won the bbq! I think) and really gave me inspiration to get the lead out on my nova. finally got the motor working good and now working out the interior. hoping to get all done for this years bbq as well. pretty doubtful at this point. lol anyways looking forward to seeing your progress and build. kool!

Thanks! That BBQ was a ton of fun. I am hoping to have the car there this year. Are you bringing your Nova? I'd love to see some pics, at least!


I did the same vent window delete.
I gotta ask though what you are going to do for door panels?

I bought window felts for 73-74 doors and plan on adapting them onto a set of un-assembled 1969 Door Panels. The reason I am going un-assembled is due to the custom nature of this setup and the window crank being in a different location than the original 1969 door panel.

[novajess1972]

Another 69 owner here. I have to say that I love the stance on yours. It's perfect IMO. Looking forward to updates.

[chicagoTDP]

Have you tried to put the door panel on yet?
Not trying to be a pain but from what I just found out the two door panels have too much difference.
The route I just went is I gutted a 1974 nova door and put all of the tracks and guts into my original 69 door.
Reason being the 74 doors are heavier, do not have bolt on hinges (need bolt on for when you go to align the doors) and my 69 doors were mint condition...hard to get a rust free 73-74 door that does not have rust in the lower pinch seam.

Good looking car though! I dig the setup and look forward to more progress

[sinistir]

[QUOTE=carguy502;1060442]Thanks! That BBQ was a ton of fun. I am hoping to have the car there this year. Are you bringing your Nova? I'd love to see some pics, at least!

I would love to bring it if I can get it road worthy. pics.....well its pretty rough, not much worth looking at. lol but here you go....9305193054

[carguy502]

I would love to bring it if I can get it road worthy. pics.....well its pretty rough, not much worth looking at. lol but here you go....

I like it! Most of these old Novas start off a little rough around the edges. I know mine did, but you seem to have a good start. If you ever need any help, let me know! Wrenching is like free therapy for me!

Don

[frojoe]

Thanks! That BBQ was a ton of fun. I am hoping to have the car there this year. Are you bringing your Nova? I'd love to see some pics, at least!


I bought window felts for 73-74 doors and plan on adapting them onto a set of un-assembled 1969 Door Panels. The reason I am going un-assembled is due to the custom nature of this setup and the window crank being in a different location than the original 1969 door panel.

I've had this idea in my head for a while but have yet to pick up 73-74 doors or even deal with any interior for the matter, so I'll definitely be interested to see what you come up with if you go ahead with it.

On the point of needing bolt-on door hinges as brought up above, check this thread out...

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showpost.php4?p=388275&postcount=405

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showpost.php4?p=388276&postcount=406

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showpost.php4?p=395570&postcount=413

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showpost.php4?p=395571&postcount=414

[sinistir]

I like it! Most of these old Novas start off a little rough around the edges. I know mine did, but you seem to have a good start. If you ever need any help, let me know! Wrenching is like free therapy for me!

Don

thanks bro. I could use your advice from time to time for sure, as you have been there done that, and if you ever feel the need for a drive let me know. I just got done with rust repair on floor boards and am mocking up my seats. you would think it would be easy, ha! trying to get them centered and level what a pain. but back to your build!

[Gil]

Hi Don,
Very nice Nova

I'm 39 yo & didn't do the half you already did !

But if you want just an advice, put some gloves & glasses when you use cut-off wheels. Security is longer time spent with the familly...
Just my 2 cents

Gil

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

Hi Don!
It's nice to see your car here on the forum. You forgot to post these pics (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.484423421650617.1073741839.360398240719803&type=3)! I snapped these really quick when you picked up the rear VariShocks.

Here's one of you giving C. Ray a run down on the build. I love how dirty your car was when you stopped by.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[carguy502]

I've had this idea in my head for a while but have yet to pick up 73-74 doors or even deal with any interior for the matter, so I'll definitely be interested to see what you come up with if you go ahead with it.

On the point of needing bolt-on door hinges as brought up above, check this thread out...

I actually circumvented the whole hinge issue by combining the bolt on portion that went to the body and matched them up with the welded hinge on the door. They are the same hinges. The orange doors and their fitment in the are the final fit with the 73-74 doors. Fit is not perfect, but this is a driver, not a show car.

I have been thinking about the door panels more and I may need to pirate the rails from the 73-74 panels to try to fab something.


Hi Don,
Very nice Nova

I'm 39 yo & didn't do the half you already did !

But if you want just an advice, put some gloves & glasses when you use cut-off wheels. Security is longer time spent with the familly...
Just my 2 cents

Gil

Thanks, Gil! That is actually not me; it's my friend Ryan. I have gotten too much crap in my eyes in the past, so I usually work with a 3M face shield. Funny you should mention this, Ryan's wife walked out while we were doing this and chewed him out.


Hi Don!
It's nice to see your car here on the forum. You forgot to post these pics (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.484423421650617.1073741839.360398240719803&type=3)! I snapped these really quick when you picked up the rear VariShocks.


Hi Carl! Thank you for the killer service and awesome parts. Your hospitality was second to none. I saw another Nova (http://blogs.popularhotrodding.com/6794569/hard-driving/1968-firebird-1970-nova/) in Popular HotRodding with your 4 link and I loved the stance and the travel. It seems that Novas might be immune from the tall ride height F bodies see with the 4 link. I'll be seeing you for a 4 link as soon as I have money!

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

Hi Carl! Thank you for the killer service and awesome parts. Your hospitality was second to none. I saw another Nova (http://blogs.popularhotrodding.com/6794569/hard-driving/1968-firebird-1970-nova/) in Popular HotRodding with your 4 link and I loved the stance and the travel. It seems that Novas might be immune from the tall ride height F bodies see with the 4 link. I'll be seeing you for a 4 link as soon as I have money!

Thanks for the compliment, and for the link. I haven't seen that car before. The Nova's fenders are shaped different so they will always look lower than a Camaro when the rockers are the same distance off the ground. The floor also has a different amount of rise so that also comes into play.

[mrx]

Don:

Looking good! I dig those wheels on the Nova. I have a 72 and am in OC.

Mike

[ClosNova805]

Bad as nova am from Goleta CA and also building a 69 nova

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Killer Nova...is there another in the garage?