Project 50 Cal goes to paint jail

[NOPANTS-68]

Car's coming along fairly well in the shop. I'm almost done with the gaps and the second block. One more primer / block session and it's ready to blow apart and jamb. Car's going back to Nassau blue and the top will stay (against the wishes of my buddys). Paint jail's not too bad when you are the warden. lol Pics:

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[Samckitt]

That big of a cowl hood a requirement for clearance, or looks?

[NOPANTS-68]

clearance mainly. The air cleaner's only 3/4 inch under that cowl. I used big block frame mounts to set it down, but it's tight.

[oestek]

I love the look, even with the top!

[Memphis]

thats is awesome, love the wheels :). Will be even better when done

[Code Red]

wow nice

[WS6]

killer

[awesome1967]

any pics with paint yet

[Rick D]

Looks nice, I just finished mini tubbing a 69 Nova today. What are the spec's on the wheels?

[brownz]

Great job on keeping the top :bananna2:

[NOPANTS-68]

No pics with paint yet as I just took these today. Should have color next week if I have time.

The wheels are Vintage Wheel Works 17 x 11 rears with 5 in. BS.

[Z06killinSBF]

Looks killer. I think the hood gives the car an even more killer look with those wheels.

[matdean]

Looks very nice, my dad had a 70 Nova SS that was his gift from Graduating HS. My mom always said she knew he was on his way to pick her up from over a mile away. :)

[NvrDun71]

Love the car man, looking forward to more pics

[jonnyc]

what's the name of your shop?i'm in sacramento also and my be ready for paint by this time next year.

[NOPANTS-68]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I will keep updating as we go.

I manage one of the Kniesel's Auto Collision stores in Rocklin. We typically don't do this kind of work- it's just an after hours thing for my guys and I. PM me if you need some shops to interview for your project.

[Young Gun]

great looking nova...wheels look great and the stance is awsome!

[Tony_SS]

I like the top and everything else.

[carguy502]

Those rims look so good. I was always wondering if I should do the V48s, but I think you sealed the deal. What size rim are you running up front?

[NOPANTS-68]

Those rims look so good. I was always wondering if I should do the V48s, but I think you sealed the deal. What size rim are you running up front?

thanks- fronts are 17 x 7s with i think 3.5 in. BS

[Memphis]

Any updates>?

[dodge]

i like it well done..the wheels are awesome

[55chevyman]

Any updates?

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

i LOVE the project name..

[01somta]

That is it I'm building a Nova next.

[Johnny C.]

Awesome Nova. I really like the wheels.

[NOPANTS-68]

thanks guys. I just finished the final block and have just two panels to finish for paint. I put in new hinge pins and rollers while the doors were off and what a difference! It will be sprayed by the end of next week.I'll post up some pics when it comes home. Thanks again for all the nice comments.

[NOPANTS-68]

Got the car in color, rubbed, and reassembled. I'll be painting the hood and cowl this week and prepping for the stripe. I found that there's a common problem with this body style Nova in the fender alignment area. The lower body line on the fenders didn't turn is as drastic as the doors leaving a funky gap and line where the rocker, door, and fender come together. We fixed this by pie-wedging the backside of the fenders and outer lip and made the turn in faster. Talked to a couple guys who have has that same issue with these fenders- some do and some don't. This resulted was a much better fit at the lower corner area. Here's some pics:

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[NOPANTS-68]

and finally the car. The color is 1968 Corvette Le Mans Blue Met as it was mixed by PPG in 68. Stripe will be a semi-gloss black strobe stripe going up the ski ramp on the hood. I'm also experimenting with the window frames and drip rail in semi black. Hope you like as much as I do so far.

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[NvrDun71]

:twothumbs Looks amazing man

[Chewy72ss]

Beautiful color. Lookin' forward to seein' it together with the striping.

[69Nova]

Looks sweet. Cant wait to see the stripe.

Who says mini-lights look out of place on 3rd gen Novas!?!?

[jackfrost]

car looks great. i love those wheels.

[NOPANTS-68]

thanks all for the comments. I'm working on the final few pieces and I'll post up some completion pics when it gets home. Thanks again.

[Memphis]

that looks awesome

[WS6]

That's a great color.

[796spdbu]

I love your car nopants. I have a 72 with a blck vinyl top just like yours. I want to run the 17x11 rear wheels also. Beautiful car.

[Code Red]

i like that color

[Johnny Blaze]

Looks great! I have a gallon of that same color I am thinking about spraying my truck with.

I agree on the mini lites as well. Is it just the angle or what, the fronts look bigger than the rears?

[NOPANTS-68]

Looks great! I have a gallon of that same color I am thinking about spraying my truck with.

I agree on the mini lites as well. Is it just the angle or what, the fronts look bigger than the rears?

in the first pic I had the fronts on the back and visa versa to gain clearance for the spray gun in the fenderwells.

the color is pretty crazy for a 68 chip. It turns green in the sun and a darker violet in the shade. Thanks for the comments. Pics of the hood and stripe should be up by the weekend.

[resto-mod]

I like the idea of the black drip-rails & posts. It should make the top flow a little better and take focus away from the top and put it to the paint & body.

[55chevyman]

and finally the car. The color is 1968 Corvette Le Mans Blue Met as it was mixed by PPG in 68. Stripe will be a semi-gloss black strobe stripe going up the ski ramp on the hood. I'm also experimenting with the window frames and drip rail in semi black. Hope you like as much as I do so far.

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Are you going to keep the wide wheels up front for the fwd tuner drag car effect???? :getout:

[Chevrolaine]

Hope you like as much as I do so far.


Oh Yeah! And then some! I think the trim would look killer in black.

[ixfn]

Are you going to keep the wide wheels up front for the fwd tuner drag car effect???? :getout:

Hhmmm... the front are 17x7, and rear are 17x11 - what a wild deviation! :lol: :getout:

[55chevyman]

Hhmmm... the front are 17x7, and rear are 17x11 - what a wild deviation! :lol: :getout:
i know what he runs, but in the pics he has the 17X11s in the front and the 17X7s in the back!:slap:

[ixfn]

:slap:

D'oh :pat:

[Chewy72ss]

I'm pretty sure I just saw your car in the photo gallery on Vintage Wheel Works site. Or, am I mistaken?? Car's lookin' killer either way.

[NOPANTS-68]

I'm pretty sure I just saw your car in the photo gallery on Vintage Wheel Works site. Or, am I mistaken?? Car's lookin' killer either way.

yep that's it before it was painted. I didn't even know it was on that site so thanks for the heads up. lol Got all of the trim back on it this weekend and am focusing on getting the fiberglass bumpers and brackets this week. I'll post some pics up with the blacked out pillar trim. Thanks again, Dave

[NOPANTS-68]

I've got the car polished and almost fully assembled. We finished the hood stripe last week and am having a pinstriper come out to edge it all in vintage white to make it really pop. A couple of bits left and she'll be ready to rip. Hell. the car won an award last weekend- it's turned out to be my most favorite. Hope you enjoy. Dave

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[larknut]

Looking killer. I think i'll keep mine now.

[WILWAXU]

Good looking car! What wheel is that?

[NOPANTS-68]

thanks! they are Vintage Wheel Works V48s.

[1BADRS]

Tell me about the flat black.
Just any ol flat black will work?
Toying with ideas for my project.

[NOPANTS-68]

the flat black was a first attempt with a base/clear PPG product. We painted the hood blue, cut and buffed it, masked it off again, scuffed it and layed on the black. The clear is PPG 2060 flat clear. It does leave a small raised edge on the perimeter of the black portion so I'm having a pinstriper run the edges in another color. It won't totally conceal the edge, but it will bury them and make the stripes pop more. Hope that helps. Dave

[796spdbu]

Very beautiful car........O and nice award...any gear head would be proud to have an award like that!!:seizure:

[Martin71RS]

looks good, I like the color and wheels.

[55chevyman]

any updates since the tear down?
whats the new specs of the car?

[NOPANTS-68]

thanks for asking about it. Makes a guy feel pretty good.

The car went fairly deep under the knife again and is almost ready to go. I've decided to do some drag racing for the 2009 season. The PGDs have been canceled, but PINKS in Bakersfield is still looming. I pulled the 17s off and have gone to a lightweight Centerline wheel with a larger MT drag radial, pulled the Tremec out and put in a Super Street Fighter TH350, and completely revamped the motor for more power. It's still a pump gas street car, just with more juice. The car has always hooked hard so I was flirting with the TKO's limits at this power level as it was. I've also gone to a larger Lunati solid roller and a set of Brodix BB2 plus heads. A Bill Mitchell Dominator and a small NOS plate kit sit on a new port matched Team G. I'll post some pics when I get the car out in the sun this weekend. I should be very close and almost ready for a shakedown. Vids will be posted. Thanks again. Dave

[55chevyman]

Dang, that things gonna be bad!
cant wait to see the pics and vids of it!

[1971CHEVELLE]

Wow...I love the car:1st:Looks awesome

[icebird84]

nice Nova you have there

[NOPANTS-68]

We finally had a break in the rain today so I pulled the car out for some updated pics. I replaced the 17s with a 15 inch Centerline wheel with a 325/50/15 Mickey Thompson DR in the rear. It fits perfectly in the DSE tub and still has another 3/4 inch to the inside. The car handles and rides far better with the larger sidewall.

The Tremec is gone and a built TH350 with a 3600 stall is in. Seems to be really street friendly and tames the car quite well. Still have the 3.73 gear, but I think 4.10s would be better with the taller tire.

The motor is done except for the bottle installation. I went with a Brodix BB2 plus and a matched Team G. The carb is a Bill Mitchell 1050 and so far has been spot on. The new cam is a Lunati solid roller (.685/.692 269/276) and the rockers and girdles are Crane. Feels like it's making 600 or so as measured by the assmometer. The car hooks really hard and squirts forward without any drama. Hopefully it performs the same on the track. Just gotta finish the interior and make some passes. Then onto the next project. Thanks for everyone's help with tuning and the support from all of you.

Dave

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[Mr.VENGEANCE]

looks like youre dressing in drag..

[craigs73]

looks like youre dressing in drag..
thats what i thought :idea: i like both looks but i have to say i really like the other wheels better

[NOPANTS-68]

looks like youre dressing in drag..

hey don't knock it until you try it.

I am enjoying the car far more with the 15s on it. It hooks better, handles far better, and rides like a Cad. My primative suspension and a set of 35 series tires was an unhappy combo. Now I can put all the power down in first gear.

My new project will be the corner burner.

[gordonquixote]

Wow - that thing looks BALLER!!!!!!!!!!

[CRead01]

very cool car. looks awesome.

What brand is the crankcase ventelation system you have?

[NOPANTS-68]

the vent system uses 2 burn down breathers I got from Hardin Marine. They have simple little baffles hat lead from the lines to a recovery tank on the driver's side. The tank is a Steff's unit. It actually traps more oil vapor than I thought it would. I copied the idea from what the guys at PHR did on the Street Sweeper Chevelle.

[Chevrolaine]

Beautiful, absofugginlutely Beautiful!!:yum: Sidewalls Rule!

[55chevyman]

any updates on the interior???

[gmcdermit1]

Looks awesome....Great job....Now seein all these fine rides, I really need to get workin!

[NOPANTS-68]

Well, here's the latest with my Nova: The big block that was in it went south due to a cracked valve that took out the block and a few other critical components. I had an LS1 ready for my 240z I've been building, but that car is in suspension mode. I always wanted to try LSX power in the Nova, so the engine was donated from the Datsun. I gotta say- the more I work with the LS powerplant the more I wish I would have done this swap years ago. I've collected the parts needed to mate it to my TH350 as well as the supportive parts to make it work.

LS specs: 2002 Corvette LS1
Thunder Racing Trex 2.0 cam 246/248 .608/.610
Comp high tech pushrods
Patriot Gold springs and all Ti stuff
SLP ported oil pump
Autokraft pan
Edelbrock victor Jr. / Holley 750DP
MSD 6010 box
Mezeire pump
Edelbrock mounts and headers
150 HP NOS plate system

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home made stainless valley pan

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Spent some time learning on a friend's CNC machine and cranked out some gauge plates for my dash. My original dash cluster was hacked from the previous owner, so I created these plates to mount the gauges and switches.

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[55chevyman]

the pics wont show up on my computer!
im getting the little red x's :/

[CruizinKev]

the pics wont show up on my computer!
im getting the little red x's :/
same here.. only can see the last 4 pics of engine and gauges...

[55chevyman]

i cant even see them.

[NOPANTS-68]

I had my photos saved on an older host site that went down last Monday. Looks like they are gone. I'm slowly rehosting them on photobucket for the time being. You should be able to see the last four I posted.

[55chevyman]

The pics are showing now! Everything looks good, ready to see what it will run with the ls motor

[NOPANTS-68]

Finally got the LS1 this afternoon. I certainly learned a little more today. I ended up with some frame stands that were wider than the big block stands I previously had installed. There was no way my Energy mounts would fit on them, so I decided to go to a solid mount and used a Moroso kit. I also used the Edelbrock mount plates and will be installing their headers this week. I used a Hughes converter bushing and thier LS swap flexplate with no issues at all with my TH350. I also noticed that once installed I have roughly 1/8 inch between the Carkraft pan and the lowest Unisteer rack joint. It's got room, but it's tight.

I can't believe how much farther back the engine sits now. By my quick measurement, it sits approx. 4 3/8 inches farther back than my BBC. I mounted the carb, lines, linkage, radiator, and a few small items this afternoon. The Meziere pump, headers, and sheetmetal valve covers should be here next week.THe plan is to hide the coils down by the oil pan rail with some fabed up brackets. I'll post more pics up as we go. Thanks for looking.

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