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I understand why they did, but after driving the thing 2,000 miles to get there, I wasn't too happy.

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Andy, the pic looks good. That one was actually taken the day we arrived in Bowling Green. On that leg, we had driven from Memphis, went to Graceland to get some pics in front of the sign, then headed up to BG. We arrived as the museum was closing and were asked to leave the parking lot. That picture was taken outside the chain, that blocks the drive, after we were chased-off.

Thanks Andy. Glad we had a pic you could use.

Wes

I'm a C

Looking good Ron. When do you expect to fire that baby up?

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The combo runs pretty good for what it is. I like that the engine can do it while fitting under a stock hood. The ET and MPH are both being held back by my low shift points. The trans shifts about 900 RPM too soon.

The combo has 3 things going for it: stroker crank, HR cam, and AFR heads. The intake is less than ideal given the low shift points, moderate cam, 3.36 gears and low stall converter. I'd like to run an RPM airgap, but it won't fit under hood. When I tested the old combo at the track, the Team G was worth .2 seconds and almost .5 MPB vs a Weiand 8120 low-rise dual plane intake. So, I doubt I could improve the ET with a swao to the 8120, or an old C3B I have.

Mekanic, nice avatar. I just spent the past 15 minutes trying to explain to the wife what it meant...

The combo is unchanged from the last time I raced in July. I just drove to the track, and emptied the trunk, and let her rip. The key variables were that in July, I ran at Famoso in mid 90* temps. This time was at Fontana with low-mid 70s temps. Fontana has a higher elevation and tends to be a bit slower than Famoso, but the temps were lower.

The combo is still the original, #s matching 327 + .040", 3.85" stroke (395 CI +/-), 6.0" rods, 9.6:1 compression, AFR 195 CC street eliminator heads, ported #7530 Weiand Team G intake (only beacuse it fits under a stock hood, using a GM drop base intake), a 670 CFM vacuum secondary Holley carb, a 282 Comp HR, ground on a 112* LSA, 1.6 roller rockers, 1 3/4" Hooker Super Comps, a 2 1/2 exhaust, that exits the rear of the car (over the rearend), a 700R4, 1800-2200 stall converter, original 3.36 rear, 235/60/R15 M/T ET street.

The weak link in the combo is the 5400 RPM shift point of the trans when left in D, with the stock PG shifter.

My first and best pass was:
1.811 60'
7.666 1/8 @ 89.28
12.149 @ 112.83

I only got two 1/4 mile runs because of heavy winds. The second pass, hot-lapped, was 12.19 @ similar MPH.

My best 1/8 was:
1.74 60'
7.696 @ 90.21 MPH
Of course, this was on a 7.7 dial-in...

Thanks Bogus. It's good to be home... for another week anyway.

Since I haven't driven the 62 since this past Summer, the wife and I decided to go for a ride.

Given the car's age, number's matching quality,and supposed value, we don't drive it nearly as much as we once did. However, it was a beautiful day, and since sitting for long periods aren't good for a car, either, we decided, what the heck...
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Don't know how much it helps, but I wear my CG T-shirt quite often, including on a Car Craft magazine shoot (shirt pic didn't make the cut), and my wife and I both wore GC shirts on the Anti-Tour. Aside from that, i handed out the vinyl CG window appliques I was given.

Nice pics, kinda refreshing after being stuck in a barracks with 170 dudes for the past 12 weeks.

Nice truck. I always wanted one of those...

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Tommy, I always liked the 62 to 67 Novas, and have been looking for a while. With minor upgrades, they make great drivers.

It's also nice to have something with a roof, because once I start playing with it, I won't be geting kicked off the track until I hit mid 11s. As far as the color goes, I can't tell if it is more of a turquoise or a blue. I'm leaning toward a Marina blue if I ever get around to a repaint.

I'm also looking for a stock steering wheel for it, to replace the aftermarket one. Funny thing is, I put a very nice 66 Nova wheel on my 59 Vette when I sold it, because my son wanted to keep the bent steering wheel.

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The Marlin belongs to my friend Dieter, the guy who checked the Nova out for me. He's actually trying to sell it now. If you're interested in the car, I can PM you his info. I haven't seen the car in a while, but the last time I did, it was pretty clean.

This is the only other pic I have for now.



I have the original 283 from my 59 Vette, that was bored to 4.00" and given a 3.75" crank, a mild Isky HR cam, and a set of Dart Pro 1 Platinum heads, but I told my wife I'd leave the straight 6 in it for now. I can't help but think I'd be better off selling all of my old 23* engines, and start converting my cars, one at a time, to a LSx engine.

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Nothing wrong with the "disco" Novas. They take all the suspension and brake goodies that are available for the 2 nd gen Camaros. The one problem I have with them is that in the People's Republik of Kalifornia, they need to be smogged. Accordingly, mid 70s- mid 80s V8 sedans (of any make) are few and far between in CA.

As far as mods, short term, I have a 4L60e in the garage I would like to get installed; I'd my wife to take the car and the trans to the shop that built our 62's 700R4 and have them install the trans before I get home. At that point, the Nova would be ready for a V8 swap, and time and money permitting, I could install a R&P suspension. Eventually, I would like to swap a LSx engine into it, find some OE buckect seats and a SS center console for it, but not necessarily in that order.

I've been without a dedicated DD for a while now, because I sold my 72 Chevy truck when I re-enlisted in July. I had to sell the truck, because my wife can't drive stick, and I was unable to bring my truck with me. Anyway, I got a little free time, and checked-out the L.A. craigslist. I was looking for something, old, relatively cheap, could take a V8 and that I wouldn't lose my azz on it if I decided to put some money into it.

I found this 67 Nova and it looked clean. So, I called the owner and talked with him for a while. My friend checked the car out for me and said it was good to go. So, I called the wife, and she went and picked it up for me. Barring the unexpected, I'll get to start driving it around the end of October.



This is my 6th Nova. I've previously had a 62 Nova 400 convertible, a 63 Nova SS convertible, (2) 72 Novas, and a 73 Nova. I got some ideas kicking around about what I would like to do with it, but for now, just plan to do what is necessary to keep it on the road.

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Brian,

Prior to the AFR swap, the trans shifted at 5100 RPM, and went a best of 12.77 @ 108.21 with the original camel hump heads. The Vette went 12.64 @ 107.97, with the dished piston 383 I built for my truck, in Nov '08, while the 327 was in dyno prison.


Because of the 5100 shift point, I returned to the shop to get the shift points raised. I donot know what went wrong, but the shift points actually occurred at a lower RPM. Since I never ran the car up through the gears on the street, I didn't discover the problem until I got to the track. I was quite displeased with the results to say the least. When the car was shifting at 4700, it went 13.01@108.34. That was with the AFR heads and 282 HR cam. This was June '09.

The trans actually shifted at a lower RPM after its first return to the trans shop. After the June disaster at the track, I took the car back to the shop and they installed a Corvette governor. It only raised the shift points to the 5300-5400 range.

Sorry if it's a bit confusing.

So close, yet so far.

Andy, Since you asked, I am disappointed. I've been wanting to make changes to the car, but haven't been able to do so, until I got back to the track. I wanted to fulfill the committment I made, and I did. However, with my leaving soon, I will probably have to leave the car alone for now (wife's request).

I did what I said I would do. I am happy with how the AFR heads performed. They kicked ass on the dyno, and did pretty good at the track; it was not the heads that kept me out of the 11s. I am frustrated with things beyond my control, that I spent good money on and didn't deliver. The Quick Fuel carb and the tranmission both have me annoyed. I spent a lot of money on each, and don't feel that either delivered as promised.

The Quick Fuel carb has given me fits from day one, and despite being the most expensive carb I ever owned, has seen very little use. I could complain about the shavings inside my new carb, the bent float spring that caused intermittent flooding, the accelerator pump diaphram that leaked on start-up, or the now non-idling condition, but I won't. I'm pretty good with Holley carbs, yet have had nothing but problems with the Quick Fuel carb. Oh well, you get what you pay for.

That said, if I hadn't wasted so much time trying to get that POS carb to idle on Friday, I could have pulled the Carb Shop carb from my Chevelle, and dialed it in. That carb may have given me the 2/10s I needed to break into the 11s. I'm just glad I didn't cheap out when I bought the Quick Fuel carb, otherwise, I might not have gotten what I paid for.

I'm also not happy about the transmission either. I had the car at the shop that built the trans, not once, but twice, and it still is not shifting where I was told it would.

Then there is the issue of the cam. We went with a 282 HR cam, despite my wanting a smaller cam. At the time, I didn't care so much about the cam, because I had plenty of time to change it; I had no idea the difficulty I would have in getting the car back to the track. I had planned to swap cams a while ago, but couldn't until the testing was complete.

I drove 800 miles round trip to Scottsdale to race the car, but was rained out. Missed a couple track events locally because of my schedule. Then, made it to the track a few weeks ago and the car slowed down, because it was shifting at 4600-4700 RPM (slowed down 1/2 second, but picked-up .14 MPH... not bad for a HR cam and aluminum head upgrade, huh?). Last time out, before the AFR swap, it was shifting at 5100.

Nothing like making a solid effort, only to fail.

I lost a lot of valuable time I needed to put the car back to the way I wanted it. Time is marching on, and I have other things I need to get done.

Aside from that, I have to be honest, that I never cared for the 62 to begin with, but kept it around because Mei is attached to it. Now, she doesn't like the way it drives with the big cam and single plane intake. Given her dislike for the idle, I suspect POS will sit for at least 6 months to a year, before I can get back to it. I doubt she will drive it while I'm gone. As such, after all the work, time and money I committed, I like the car even less than before.

C'est la guerre!

Brian, PeteK did respond to a thread I posted a long time ago. I took that info to the shop that built the trans. The shop insisted that the Corvette Servo and Governor would get the the shifts where I wanted them to be. Since I wasn't being charged, I let the shop do it their way.

Now, unfortunately, I'll eventually have to drop the driveshaft and the back of the trans to do what should have been done in the first place.

Brian, the shop that built the trans installed a "Corvette" governor, which raised the shift points some. I know the weights could be ground down to get the shift points up more.

However, I'm leaning towards swapping-in a milder cam, and running the stock heads, intake, and rams horns. The car should still run in the 12s. I'm about to put the car away for a while, and was thinking I should revert to the stock parts before doing so.

The car did OK, considering it was hamstrung by the temps, too small of a carb, and low shift points. The AFR heads deliver, but my car isn't optimized for them.

Drove the 62 to Famoso last night (220 miles round trip, give or take). The temps were in the 90s when we arrived. This was my second time to the track since the AFR head and HR cam upgrade.

My first time at the track, I had trans problems, and it was shifting at 4600 RPM, left in D. The car picked-up 25 MPH on the last half, but it was too little, and too late, trapping at 108 MPH, the same as my 47 year old camel humps and $55 re-ground cam. The AFR heads definitely kick butt, but the car was unable to get into the RPM range where they would shine.

Combo:
The original, numbers-matching, SD code 327/300 HP block
3.85" stroke
9.5:1 Compression
Comp 282 HR on a 112* LS
Comp 1.6 Gold RR
AFR 195 CC Eliminator Heads
Weiand #7530 Team G (Fits under a solid axle Vette's hood, with a GM drop base air cleaner)
Holley 670 Vacuum secondary carb, jetted 68/71, lighter vac secondary spring
Hooker 1 3/4" Super Comp Headers
2 1/2" exhaust
Magnaflow mufflers
700R4, 1800-2200 Stall Conv, 5200-5300 RPM shift Points
3.36 Posi
M/T 235/60/R15 Drag Radials set at 15 PSI

This was my 3rd and final Pass. Air temps cooled, probably still mid 80s. Checked the timing and found it to be 33*, so I bumped it up to 38* total, then re-set the carb/idle. I dropped the tire pressure to 18 PSI. Pushed the car in the staging lanes. Engine temp 180*. No other changes.

R/T .257
60' 1.814
330' 5.079
1/8 7.803 @ 89.63 (New Best)
1000' 10.179
1/4 12.184 @ 111.19 (New Best)

My last time at the track, the car was picking up 25 MPH on the back half. Last night, I was only gaining 22 MPH. I was disappointed in the results, but attribute the lack luster performance to the 670 Avenger carb. I may have been able to gain a little with more jet, but stock was 65/68, and I was already at 68/71. Aside from that, I didn't have any 69 or 72 Jets with me. I think the engine wanted more carb, and I don't know if the jets alone would have made a difference.

My last time out, I ran a Quick Fuel Carb, unfortunately, I couldn't get the Quick Fuel to idle, and my tear-down found nothing wrong. So, I ran the 670 carb. My previous tests, with the original camel hump heads were done with a Carb Shop Stage 3 #3310 750 vac secondary carb. The carb was pirated from my Chevelle for the tests, but is now back on the Chevelle. I can't help but wonder if the bigger carb would have gotten me the .19 seconds I needed...

After this test-n-tune, I was planning to swap back to the stock heads/intake, and run a smaller 217/225 @ .050" Isky HR cam. However, I'm tempted to make another shot at an 11 second time slip.

BTW, driving to and from the track, I averaged 18 MPG, including the runs.

I'm sorry to hear about what he did. I can relate, and the only advice I can offer is don't give up. Hang in there, the worm will turn. I've been in similar spots, and it seems the only people that screwed-me were those I helped, some at considerable cost to myself.

BTW, have you tried to get some help with your resume, to better highlight your skills/responsibilities/experience, rather than military service? When I was looking, I learned real quick to leave off or minimalize my service in the Marines. Seemed like for every positive reaction, there would be 2 or 3 negatives.

Good luck and hang in there.

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Matthew, it wasn't bad, but it's amazing how differently people react to the car now that it's painted.

It was probably more fun to drive when it was in primer. I smoked a turbo Carrerra when I first got the 496running. The look on the gold-chainer's face was worth all the work I put into the BB swap.

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I've always liked Chevelles and Novas, but prefer the Chevelles for their better ride.

Regarding the rims, I may put them on the Vette if they clear the wheel wells. The wheels currently on our 62, were originally bought for the Chevelle, and should be returned to it.

Unfortunately, the stock Vette rims didn't clear the Cadillac calipers from the rear disc brakes I swapped. So, I borrowed the Chevelle's rims.

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GM Torch Red. Was considering willow green and a light silver blue, too.

My stroked 327 lost 4 HP on an engine dyno when I switched from a 1.6 I/1.6 E RR Combo to a 1.6 I/1.5 E RR combo. This was with a comp 282 HR cam and 195 CC AFR heads. The engine picked-up just over 1" of vacuum from the swap.

I am currently running the 1.6/1.6 combo, but may switch to a 1.5/1.5 combo to tame the cam a bit, when I swap back to a dual plane intake.

Welcome aboard. You have a couple of nice Vettes.

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Thanks. It's honestly one of the nicest driving cars I own. The quick ratio PS and 4WPDB help. I still need to re-install the sway bars.

The cam/idle is just a bit much. I'm hesitant to run a milder cam, because I built the engine with a 10.2:1 compression. The car does OK in light traffic, but heats up quick. I think if I switched to a 66-67 shroud it would help, especially if I had room for a 7 blade fan.

I have the original 283 out of the 59 Vette I just sold. I am tempted to install it, to improve the drivability. The SB would pick the mileage up some, help with the cooling, and the handling. Decisions, decisions.

Welcome aboard

The Chevelle is painted. After owning it for ten years, and sitting in primer for 4, I finally took it in for paint. It looks decent, but not show quality. It's not too embarassing to drive. Now I just need to put it back together, and decide if I'm going to put a milder cam in the BBC, or swap in one of my small blocks.



Other Pics
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/1672645

Supposed to bring the Chevelle home from being painted tonight. If that goes as planned, I'll be putting it back together tomorrow.

Tomorrow night, will be taking the wife out in Hollywood.

These are all dupes, but since it's nearly the 4th...

Don't have anything exciting to add, just a few with the Guru...





Tacky, yet unrefined.

I was driving the 65 Chevelle yesterday, and nearly got t-boned. The car forced me out of my lane into on-coming traffic. Driver didn't look or act any different (absolutely no remorse or apology) than the 4 uninsured illegals that hit my cars over the past 10 years...

The wife and I met him at a couple of the CF Cruise-Ins. He was a nice guy in person. I was saddened to read of his passing.

Just a traditional greeting. I give it to everyone...

Good luck, and again, congratulations!

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Congratulations!!! May you have two babies in one year.

Andy,

I can appreciate the effort it takes to maintain a stock car, or even restore one, but it's not for me.

I try to use my Corvette as it was intended to be used. Somehow, I don't picture Duntov reveling at the thought of barely-running, over-restored trailer queens being pushed on and off trailers at Vette shows... all the while their owners walk around and berate other Vettes. Just not my cup of tea.

I will continue to beat on my cars, and if it offends those that need offending, even better.

Wes

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I never got the C4 bashing. I never owned one, but can somewhat relate, having been the guy in high school with the primered 73 Nova. There just wasn't a whole lotta love.

Being "trophy" cars, I think Vettes seem to attract the "mine is better than yours" crowd, and those idiots like to vocalize it. There are plenty of them in the Solid Axle and mid-year circles too.

Here's a shot of the original 327/300 HP engine(not a bogus, restamped NCRS block), in our "relatively undesirable, low-horse, secretary's car"


Some people ignore the azzhats, but I like to give a little back. At some point in the future, I will own a beautiful, restored, NCRS-credentialed fuelie. I cannot wait to cut it up and race it. I will document the de-restoration with pics and post them at the NCRS forum until I am banned (again).

Since the wife is at some modeling thing, and took Reb with her, I planned to pull the 496 from the Chevelle today and drop a 383 in.

Nothing wrong with the big block, just looking to improve the drivability a bit. Personally, I think it drives fine, although two hours in LA traffic can be a bit much with it. The wife on the other hand, wants me to tame it down some.

I didn't quite get the 383 all back together yesterday, and not sure I want to get half way and leave the Chevelle immobile. So, I'm going to swap the holley for a Q-jet just to see if it drives any smoother. Still may pull the engine though.

Decisions, decisions...

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No, it's not legal here. We'd have to move to Nevada, or I'd have to start wearing purple velvet and drive a "Donk"...

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Since the green truck is supposed to be sold tomorrow, I'll post a few up.

Congrats on getting out and doing it. The first step is the hardest.

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Crap, I was just getting attached to the Corvette-Guru sticker on the driverside of the windshield, and the Car Craft and National Corvette Museum Decals on the passenger side.

I better remove them ASAP, before the local Corvette police figure out I'm just a driver and not an enthusiast.

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Are you one of those guys that are jealous of my "restored" vintage Lloyd Mats? Don't be a hater. :sad3:

Actually, we drove the Vette to Scottsdale with the intent to race, but the track was rained-out. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of the Vette at the museum.