my '74 Nova getting some TLC (no bump content)

[dolinick]

I had the brakes done. wheel cylinders, master cylinder. also, carb rebuilt. then two new rear tires. I started cleaning out the junk in the trunk and inside. I fixed the amplifier. The power antenna wire had come loose. I decided to put some JB weld on the crack on the radiator. I want to replace the radiator ASAP though.

p.s. did you know the axle is on top of the leaf springs. Do you think I could move the axle to underneath the springs. Would it ride too high or not handle properly if this is done. Maybe I just need better or "rearched" springs and some good rear shocks. I wouldn't mind it riding a little higher in the rear than stock maybe. Or maybe just stock height. I have 205 75 r14 tires on the rear now which are a little taller than my old tires. I don't think they look to big at all. Maybe I can to a little bigger when I replace the front tires and put the 205s on the front. On the other hand perhaps I should keep all 4 tires the same exact size but I have never rotated tires on this car. I purchased the other tires new over 10 years ago right after I bought this car. I think they have pretty much dry rotted to death. I never put many miles on the car.

oh here are photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolinick/s ... 0806/show/

[Whateverman]

to "flip" the axle you'd need to weld new spring perches on
as for height -the rear of the car would end up sitting whatever the O.D of the axle tube is and the thickness of your spring perch is taller than it does now (somewhere around 3" ,possibly more)

personally i'd leave it be and get new springs if the existing ones are sagging badly

[rjewkes]

also what about changing up to wierd cantalever deal some gm's had in the 70's? i know the El camino had the axle bolt to springs, the shocks were inside the springs. and then in place of the leafs are some arms that trail from the center of the frame.

[mk]

Retro is popular...throw some shackles and N50-15's on 'er


mike

[michael69]

I have had more than my fair share of 69-74 Novas. I always just put air shocks( rides like 2 horse wagon) or shackles on them. Novas sat down a little in rear even when new.

[dolinick]

You mean like this?



This body style is actually unique to '73 and '74 only. Well it's mostly the same as '68-'72 but about six or so major differences...

It has two tail lights on each side in the rear and fuel filler on top of bumper, bigger bumpers with 5mph bumper shocks, bigger rear windows, missing wing(vent) windows, front turn signals moved to inside of the headlights. Also, there are trim pieces matching the body color where the turn signals used to be. I think all of things ruined the style of the car but it's grown on me. It is also more unique which I like.

[michael69]

Yea I know my first nova was a 73. Totaled it and bough a 70. then a 69,74 71,74.then a 72. I also had a 75 but never liked that body style. The 74 I had was same color as yours. I called it baby $h*t green That picture you posted of the nova that is to much in rear for me. I always ran 8in corvette rallies in rear and 7in rallies in front with the rear wheel opening sitting just at top of tire where they looked level. Also if you don't know the 68 was a one year also they were still called chevy twos. They also had different tail lights and the side marker lights was shorter than the 69-72 years. Some minor changes in interior also.

[dolinick]

Here is my car as she sits today:

[michael69]

I thought it was more of a green. I guess you don't have the baby poo green mine was

[rjewkes]

I had A Metalic copper(GM called it Faunskin) '77 Concourse(Canadian Nova) When i lived in California. First Car no less.

2 door Loved that car. 305/375B. Don't know what the rear was but she did good on gas for an 8 Cyl.

[woods]

Don't raise it. If you put it on top of the axle it will be very high, it won't hook up well and it will dart when driving it because you changed the caster. If you want it to look tough, leave it low in the rear, if anything, put big block spings in the front to raise it a little higher.

[LANCE65]

I LOVE Novas. I have owned every year Nova from '62-74 except 66-67. Dolinik, you have a nice one there. My very first car was a '74 Nova 2dr. Bright blue metallic w/ black interior. It eventually got a 383 and 4spd. I loved that car.

[michael69]

Don't raise it. If you put it on top of the axle it will be very high, it won't hook up well and it will dart when driving it because you changed the caster. If you want it to look tough, leave it low in the rear, if anything, put big block spings in the front to raise it a little higher.

Woods that looks just like the 70 I had,minus the roll cage and tubbed rear. That is sweat

[woods]

Grocery getter.