New to the forum

[JRouche]

Hi, just wanted to introduce myself and my car. Im working on a never ending project car. Its a 62 Nova. Started it back in 1995. It is a California car I bought for 1000 bucks. Had a 350/350 combo in it. And drum brakes (scary).

I was just gonna drive it and have fun. But I wanted to increase the HP of the engine a lil. But after looking under the car and seeing the lack of support and thin mono leaf springs I started doing some research.

I ended up buying an Art Morrison rear "clip" which was their four link with a ford 9" housing all attached to some beefy 2x4" steel framework. I welded that all in and saw the front was lacking too. Long story somewhat shorter, I ripped out everything cept the two bolt on rails. Welded in a Arizona Nova Mustang II cross member and bolted up some TCI MII control arms. Rack n pinion steering. Disc brakes. And got some disc brakes for the rear too. New brake tubing throughout, a new learning experience for me there, bending and flaring.. Ripped out ALL the wiring, worked in a new Painless wiring harness.

I then started on the drive train. Small block chevy (350). A summit block prepped with splayed four bolt caps. Forged rotating assembly from them (crank, rods and Manley pistons). Topped it off with Edelbrock heads and a Pro-flo EFI (3500 model). All bolted together with ARP throughout. Cooled with an Edelbrock pump feeding a large Griffin radiator and Flex-a-lite electric fan (big Black magic fan). The engine feeds a B&M prepped 700-R4 that runs to a Dennys drive shaft to the Reider racing built Strange engineering pumpkin that has an Auburn gear limited slip center to Strange S/S axles.

And theres more lil stuff like a Triangle engineering fuel cell.

Its basically a Summit catalog car LOL I was trying to do it all on the cheap. Bucks were limited..

That was all in 1995 through 1999. Then I moved and started a family. Car went on hold status. I have never even got to drive the car. It wasnt done yet, still isint.



So present day. Im retired, kids are getting older and I have time to get her on the road. So thats where I am at, tying up the loose ends.

I just recently started re-thinking the cars use. Its still a grocery getter, never want to go to the track, cant afford that. But I dont think I want the pro-street setup it was heading towards.

So right now I am installing a air ride tech suspension system. The AM four link will stay as is, till I decide to make it a three link LOL Should be simple. But the coilovers on the four link were too close together, for my needs. And the pan hard bar is way too short.

So I am welding in mounts for the AR shockwave air springs further out board, towards the wheels. After I get those in I have all the rod ends and everything to fab up a Watts link to replace the PH bar. I spoke with Tim (great guy) at Fays re: the watts link. I woulda used his but I would have had to re-make most of it to fit. So I bought the bell crank from him which was very reasonable. Thanks Tim!!!

So thats where Im at. Oh, this past few months I stripped the body down to bare metal. Did some hammer and dolly work along with some welding. Sprayed some SPI epoxy primer. Did some plastic filler work. More epoxy, then three coats of SPI high build primer. Block sanded till I was stupid. More epoxy to seal and ready for a professional body and paint guy.

And got some nice Billet Specialties wheels in 17x8 and 17x10 with goodyear F1 tires. Thanks Santa!!! The wheels are SLP62. Same as the Chicayne but with a smooth lip barrel.

So thats my intro. I know, long winded.... Sorry

Looking forward to getting some great ideas from the folks here... JR

[ProdigyCustoms]

Welcome aboard.

[novanutcase]

OH Shut Up!!!

You're no Newbie! You have tons of Knowledge! LOL!

Welcome to PT.com Bro!

John

[JRouche]

OH Shut Up!!!

You're no Newbie! You have tons of Knowledge! LOL!

Welcome to PT.com Bro!

John

Hey John, thanks.. I try to learn from my mistakes, I make ALOT of mistakes.. Do you have a build up thread here? I will search it out. Love to see that car of yours!! Has to be one of the best Novas I have seen, truly!! JR

[icebird84]

welcome to the forum

[1971CHEVELLE]

Welcome aboard.

[ed1le]

Welcome! Long term projects are what I like to read/hear about as with my first child due anyday now, I know it's going to be a while until mine is cmpleted!
How about some pics of the progress so far?

[JRouche]

Welcome! Long term projects are what I like to read/hear about as with my first child due anyday now, I know it's going to be a while until mine is cmpleted!
How about some pics of the progress so far?

Congrats on the new addition!!! I would love to post some pics. Unfortunately it was all built during the film only days in the 90s. Didnt snap alot of pics cause the cost of processing. The ones I did take are grainy and scanned in on the scanner. And to be honest, my build up isint worth watching after seeing all the great builds here. Im kinda shamed really. Mine is a hack job compared. But I didnt have any money, tools or knowledge. Just fun hobby stuff for me. Kinda embarrassed to show the dirty work Maybe some day.. JR