So, I haven't been messing with the nova too much lately, I am still waiting on the transmission crossmember. But I have been attempting to find a header solution and an answer for the a/c compressor.
I've been measuring around on the motor and trans trying to see if I can shift the motor to better clear the headers. Here's where my lack of car building experience is costing me. I Now have my motor mostly level with the subframe, but noticed the trans (tail shaft is just sitting on a jack stand) is shifted to the passenger side approximately 3/4" I read that some manufactures build this offset into the motor mounts to eliminate drive shaft issues, Also I read that DSE's mounts their engines centered. But my motor and trans are wanting to rest offset. If anyone has some insight on the matter I'd greatly appreciate it, If not I will call DSE tomorrow and see what I can find out from them.

Until I find out if the crossmember is being built with an offset and where the motor's final resting spot will be I can't move forward with the transmission tunnel modifications, header solution and finding a compressor and mount to clear the subframe.

Hi Kevin,

Just went through your build thread and NICE job! For what its worth the Nova's (62-67) came stock with a approx. 1/2" crankshaft offset to the passenger side. I have one of the earlier DSE front clips for my 65 Nova and the engine still sits approx. 1/2" to the passenger side. Hope this helps.

Jay

Thank You, I didn't get a chance to call DSE today to ask. The 1/2" offset would explain my header issues. I guess I need to double check with the guy building my trans cross-member to see if he is factoring offset in or not.

No, should just be offset by 1/2". The block for the most part is parallel with frame rails.
Just as a check starting with the engine. Find your cam OR crank centerline and use a square or something to plumb a line down low enough so that you can measure over to your frame on both sides. You should find a number like 13-5/8" to the drivers side frame & 12-5/8" to the passenger. This is your "1/2" offset to the passenger side.

Also, since you have your rear-end bolted in. Transfer a chalk line down the center of your car on the concrete floor beneath (plumb line down "center" of your front sub-frame and mark on the slab, then plumb line down center of your rear frame rails and mark on slab,,, connect/snap line connecting the two) This will give you a decent reference "centerline". You should find if plumbed up to your crank/cam centerline that it is 1/2" off to passenger side. You also should find your pinion center the same...

Kevin, also remember (if I remember correctly) that your engine/transmission should be approx. 2-3 degrees "down". I think mine is closer to 3 degrees down based on DSE recommendation...

Jay

Ok great! Thank you for the explanation. It's tough to really determine how the motor is sitting but your idea with the center line and chalk line makes a lot on sense. I'll give that a try this week and see what I come up with. One other issue may be is the rear end isn't located yet. I just threw it in there for mock up purposes. :thankyou:

You are correct about the offset, I did a quick measure with the tape from the head to the upper control arm mount and I am 1/2" offset to the passenger side. I'll measure the tailshaft to the rockers and see if I have that same 1/2". Thanks again for helping out, I am a newbie when it comes to this type of thing, just goes to show how valuable members on here are. Thanks again.

Had tires mounted and balanced today, Just couldn't resist test fitting them and rolling the car out for a few pictures.

Tires are Michelin PS2 315/30r18 and 275/35r18


http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...r.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...a.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...4.jpg~original

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http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...l.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...c.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...z.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...b.jpg~original

The more I see this car the more I am in love with it.

Thanks, I was grinning ear to ear once I let the jack down. Can't wait to get this car driving!

Very nice choice on the wheels Kevin,I feel like Marty I really like this one:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thank you, wheels are such a tough decision it's a big relief to finally see these on the car. One day I may save for some forgelines but these will defiantly work for now.

Wheels/Tires look GREAT Kevin! Are those the "high pad" version (out of the low, med, high option)? What widths did you go with?

Thanks, Jay

Thank you. The fronts are high pad, and rears are medium.
Fronts are 18x9.5 with 5.1bs (they didn't offer 5" bs)
Rears are 18x11 with 5.7bs but looks like I could have gone closer to the 5.5"bs
I may run a small spacer to push the wheel out some. DSE specs was 5.5 bs but I figured I'd order with a little extra bs and then I could always fine tune with a small spacer. I didn't have my rear end in the car when the weld sale was going on, so I played it safe.

Been a while since I updated the thread, not a bunch going on but I have been chipping away at the to do list.


I felt I couldn't make the transmission tunnel to the quality I wanted in my garage so I had a local hot rod shop fab one for me, and while it was there he made a cross member too. Now, we were going to do a tube with a bend in it, but we came up with this simple design. I am sure I could have easily made this cross member but it was at his shop so I said go for it.

The tunnel still needs final fit and obviously welded in, however I now own a rotisserie and plan to finish all the welding and floor coating once the car is on the rotisserie.

Please ignore my crappy welds on the subframe connectors. :o

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...1.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...b.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...d.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...r.jpg~original


Steering wheel I picked up from Swain

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...s.jpg~original

And some exciting news for me anyways. I sent the mid length headers back and thru some help from TomM on stevesnovasite I got a set of church boys long tubes to test fit. And low and behold they fit like a charm. They are made by stainless works the same company that makes DSE headers and come in a nice 1300 LESS!!!


http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...w.jpg~original

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http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...f.jpg~original

Great looking project all around bud! Like everyone else LOVE the wheel/tire combo. Seriously looking at these as an option for my car...:thumbsup:

While I am waiting on the ups guy I figured I'd throw the fender on for a quick look and hopefully rekindle the flame. I am at the point where I am not sure what to do next. There is so much left to do and I am trying my best to do things in a logical order but I find it difficult to keep the projects moving when worrying about doing things in the right order. Anyways, here is a few cellphone pictures.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...s.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...n.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...b.jpg~original

I love the wheels, they look perfect on there. They did a nice job on the tunnel. Those headers fit and look sweet on there. Great project.

Nice job and glad to see your header situation is worked out.
ProFab used to make the DSE headers. I thought they still did.

Thank you, I am really pleased with the way it's coming together. It's tough envisioning what the wheels will feel like but I am happy with my choice. The tunnel came out pretty good too, I hated farming it out but I knew I couldn't make one that good so overall I don't regret it one bit. And the headers was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, I really don't have the budget to swing the dse headers, so now I have a little more wiggle room.

Thank you, I am glad it all worked out too. Maybe I misunderstood but I thought stainless works made theirs too. I've been wrong before but don't tell my wife.

Kevin,

Keep chipping away at it and it will be done soon enough and btw the car looks killer.

Man I really like the steam rollers in the back...I'm doing the DSE tubs also, so hopefully I can get at least a 295 under there. I know what DSE's website says that a 315 will fit....


T,

Yup, 315s is whats under my car with a 18x11 wheel. Backspacing is key especially since michelin tires run wide.

Still chipping away a little at a time, I started messing with compressor mounts really desperately trying to avoid the cost of a front runner setup. Not that I wouldn't like one it's just not in the budget, plus the rest of the accessories fit with zero modification. So, when I ordered the vintage air gen iv I had them send me an Alan Grove low mount and compressor. Well the 508 was never going to work, I swapped the 508 out for a sd7, I had to drive a flange bushing out of the compressor tab and just flip it. Now the Alan Grove lower mount works with the sd7. I still have to fab an upper mount, rough cardboard template shown in pictures. Overall I am really happy with this setup, I though I'd have to move the compressor to the front serpentine belt, but I was able to keep it on the factory rear pulley. The tensioner is very close to the crossmember, so I may have to address that too.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...f.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...l.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...f.jpg~original

Been working at getting my seats mounted. I borrowed some ideas from Terry's 67 build and altered them to fit my needs.

Here is the front mount tacked together testing the fit.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...7.jpg~original

And front mount welded to the floor. I did 4 plug welds and stitched the perimeter.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...1.jpg~original

The rear mount I made, I didn't trust the sheet metal to support the weight so I cut and beveled a piece of 3/16 flat to aid in the support.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...w.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...9.jpg~original

Rear mount test fit.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...a.jpg~original

rear mount welded in
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...c.jpg~original

All welded, previous extra holes fitted and a quick shot of spray bomb for now.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...5.jpg~original

Seat installed.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...q.jpg~original

I am going to machine some .750 x 1.5" billet 6061 aluminum to install over the carpet to bring the seat up 3/4". The adjusting bar isn't clearing the floor and the wife said she doesn't like looking through the wipers. lol

Oh, and here's the metal version on the upper compressor mount. Haven't welded it yet because I am stressing about belt alignment.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...r.jpg~original

After cleaning the garage to a point where it isn't too embarrassing I decided to snap a few photos and show some small updates.

First up is a fender on mock up, I do have some tire clearance issues, due to 275's instead of 265's and ride height but the fender hasn't been trimmed at all. Turning lock to lock is over rated anyways.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...v.jpg~original

Entropy radiator and fans installed.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x.jpg~original

Core support, a/c condenser and fan controller loosely mounted to check location and fitment
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...p.jpg~original

Brake and clutch master mounted
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...ginal~original

Ididt column, Budnik wheel, dakota digital vhx gauges, and the beginnings of some wire layout
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x.jpg~original

Battery bulk head fittings and vintage air evaporator mocked.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...l.jpg~original


Hoping to get some more work done this weekend. That's all for now. Thanks

Keep me posted on how much trimming you have to do on the front fenders for the 275....... I'll be doing the same thing at some point.

Will do, I ended up with these tires in a package deal with the 315's otherwise I would have just bought the 265's. The 275s are obviously wider but in the 35 series they are actually a little taller than the rears. Now DSE recommends 9.5 " front wheel with 5.0"BS But weld didn't offer a 5.0". Mine are 9.5" with a 5.1"BS so they sit in a hair more. I plan to trim and roll the fenders if I have to, I really don't want to raise the ride height but between tire clearance and long tube headers that may be the hand I am dealt.

Been cold but managed to check a few to do's off the list. Fab'd a PCM mount to be welded to the firewall.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...1.jpg~original

Bracket welded and pcm mounted
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...u.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...8.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...a.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...k.jpg~original
Also, drilled holes and installed bulkheads for the a/c fittings. And A single 6an bulkhead for the fuel line.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...l.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...w.jpg~original

great job Kevin and keep plugging away.

I LOVE THIS BUILD...:relax:
Great work Kevin...

Over rated! lol Just keep working!!

Couldn't agree more!

Thanks guys! The list is long for sure, trying to get a few other small items lined out before I blow the car back apart. Then it's going on the rotisserie for some more floor pan work and probably some raptor liner.


lol, I can't work when the garage gets that bad. It's just too small of an area to have cluttered! Plus I feel like I do better work in a cleaner environment. On a plus side I added 4 led shop lights. I only had 2 100w bulbs in a 2 car garage previously. I really didn't know how bad that lighting was until I added the new lights. Almost need sunglasses now. :relax:

Wow...Very nice Build! I really like the stance could you measure the ride height to the rocker Front and Back? I plan on shooting for that look with my 67 but still want some street driveability.
Very nicely done!

Great build! fantastic work.:thumbsup:

Thank you, the front rocker is around 6 1/4" and the rear is around 8 1/4" I honestly wouldn't guessed I had that much rake.
I may have to raise the car some, we'll see how exhaust clearance goes. Glad you like the build!

Thanks so much, there is loads of real talent on this forum. I am just trying to keep me head above water! :drowninga:

Finding radiator hoses, I ended up using a dayco 71500 with napa 400 reducers for the upper and a napa 8333 cut up for the lower. Pretty happy with the fit.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...r.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...n.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...4.jpg~original

Got my eddies motorsport sd7 bulk head installed after removing the rear tab on the compressor. The ports may be a little close to the subframe, but I ordered some tight 90deg fittings, they haven't arrived yet so no test fit. I do have room to rotate the compressor up more if I have interference issues.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...v.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...z.jpg~original

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...h.jpg~original

Keep the updates coming enjoying watching this build.

Thanks for posting up such a cool project. This is one of my favorite body styles. You are making great progress.