Restarting My '70 Nova Project

[NoTrespassing]

That's the reason why there was so much aftermarket speed equipment for Chevys, the design, for the day, was very responsive to better breathing, i.e. headers, intake manifolds and carburetors.
I had a friend that had a '68 Z28, and when he took me for a ride in it, I couldn't believe the power that little 302 made. He regularly beat cars with 100 more cubes than his car no problem. The only ones that could beat him were the L78 Novas or big block Mustangs. The 295 HP rating on the 302 was a real joke, they often put out over 400 flywheel HP on a dyno with minor mods.

I talked to the shop foreman at the first alignment shop today, and told him how the second shop had no problem getting the alignment set to specs. He admitted that they have been having problems with their machine, specifically the right front readings on some vehicles. Also, they have been waiting for a new alignment machine for six months, and it is finally being installed now.

Did the alignment shop offer you a refund?

 

[BravoXray]

Did the alignment shop offer you a refund?

Nope, but the shop owner is my cousin, and I'm going to bring it up the next time I see her.

 

[Alan46]

Did the alignment shop offer you a refund?

…sorry couldn’t resist

 

[MossRoad]

Well, after the last alignment I initially thought the pull to the left was better, but after 50-60 miles of driving it, it was really no better than before. Looking at the right side upper A-arm, the alignment tech had changed the original slugs with no offset to the slugs with 1/4" offset, moving the A-arm to the rear. Also, looking at the printout with the settings on it, the new caster setting was virtually the same as before, which really isn't possible. Also, the bolts on the left A-arm were loosened and not tightened, and I KNOW they were tight after I installed the new A-arms because I double checked the bolts after I finished the installation.
So, I called another local alignment shop that a couple of other gear heads used and recommended. I explained what was going on, and wanted him to take a look at it. I took it to the shop yesterday and dropped it off and he called around noon today and said it was ready to pick up. Went over and talked to him and looked at the printout with the settings, it showed that the caster on the right side was off by ~3°, over 4°, instead of the desired 1.5° to 2°. The tech said he used the same 1/4" offset slugs but turned them 180° moving the A-arm 1/2" forward. He also had to add a couple of shims to the front bolt on the left A-arm to get the caster and camber within spec on that side. He had test driven it and said it goes straight with no pull now, and I said that sounds great as I was tired of having to hold it to the right all the time to keep it in my lane.
On the drive back, it was like driving a different car, it drives better than it ever did before, finally.
Obviously, the first shop has a problem with either their equipment or the operator, or both, as they couldn't get it right when the second shop had no problem adjusting it to get it in spec. Monday, I'm going to give the first shop a call and talk to the shop foreman and let him know that they have a problem and they might want to look into it.
Took it for a drive this evening to make a weekly check on a friend's house and stop at Arby's for a roast beef sandwich on the way back, and it's amazing how much better it drives now.Even the EFI is still behaving!
Took a picture of it in front of the house yesterday before I took it to the shop when I had the trim rings off the rims. That changes the entire look of the car, I think. I like the look, but not as much as with the rings on.

Everyone have a great weekend!

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I personally like it better without the trim rings... but it's not my car!

I do like the top.

One thing I remember about picking up $500 Novas was you could almost instantly tell the ones that were rotted out behind the rear wheel because they'd just slap on the bondo and you'd lose that body line over your tailpipe there.

 

[MossRoad]

Nope, but the shop owner is my cousin, and I'm going to bring it up the next time I see her.

Geeze, most family's at Thanksgiving is politics or religion.

 

[Alan46]

Nope, but the shop owner is my cousin, and I'm going to bring it up the next time I see her.

You know, with all this back and forth, I didn’t think to mention, back in 1990 I bought a 69 Nova Drag car from a guy in Boise which developed into a 35 year friendship!!!