Parts Parts and more Parts! :)

[novarally77]

Hello 4th geners,

I am currently gathering parts for my 77 Nova Rally project. I am nearing completion of the parts gathering stage and getting anxious to get in there and get her done. I am doing a engine and trans swap all at once and I am trying to make sure that I have all the parts that I need. The car currently has the stock 305 in it as well as the stock auto 3 speed. I dont want to get the car all torn apart and end up needing more major parts. Any feedback would be great, here is what I have so far:

Freshly built 350 block bored 30 over with refinished heads (2.02 intake, 1.60 ehaust)
4 speed Muncie Transmission M21
Both pedals with bracket
Clutch Pedal Rod w/boot
Z-Bar and Frame Bracket
New engine and Frame Ball Stud
Clutch Fork Rod
Clutch Fork
Clutch Fork Boot

Also I am working with a local mechanic to get a clutch, flywheel, and bellhousing setup, as well as a shifter. I think that is all that I have collected this far. I am very new to the working on a manual transmission, or any transmission for that matter, but we all have to start somewhere right? Sorry for the newbie questions :o Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

DJP2 - The Newb

[jade76]

Sounds like you have everything you need to get her started.

Here's an article I wrote you can read over for the conversion:

http://www.gen4novas.com/cat_content.asp?contentid=241&catid=445

The conversion is pretty straight forward and simple to do. I believe the Muncie should fit into stock location as Saginaw since both are same design. I have a 78 Saginaw, and took the shifter from it and mounts directly on the 67 Muncie that I have.

What you doing with the 305 you're taking out? I'm looking for a good 305 to put in my 78 Rally when I start on her and I'll be coming right through Florence in about 2-3 weeks when I move to MI. I get a kick out of the water tower every time I drive through there, "Florence Y'all".

[novarally77]

Haha yea Florence Y'all....theres a story about that you know... It used to say Florence Mall, but because it was paid for with city money, they decided that it was unable to advertise for the mall. Since it already said Florence Mall, they just deleted the sides off of the "M" in Mall. I hadnt really thought about what to do with the 305 motor yet. I will be taking some of the parts off of it to re-use. The things that will be removed are the: Intake Manifold, Carb, Valve Covers, & Breather. I am still trying to decide if I want to just go ahead and put all new pumps on it while I am at it. I guess I will decide on that once I get some prices together. I am not sure how long it will be until I am ready to start taking the 305 out of her. When are you planning on heading through? What would you be willing to offer me for it? If you have some of the other stuff that I need or anything that you think I would be interested in, I am more than willing to work out a trade. Also one more question for you. Were there any other parts that I would need, other than the clutch fork and the clutch fork boot, that I will need to complete the linkage setup that I bought from you? If so let me know. If you need some refresher of what you sent me I can lay it out and take some pictures. Thanks for the reply!

DJP2 - The Newb

[jade76]

I believe I sent you everything to set it up. But I don't remember exactly if there was a clutch return spring for the pedal and there should also be one mounted on the z-bar to the frame, so that may be needed. Other than that it sounds like you're good to go.

As far as the 305, does it run, have any knock or smoke if it does? 305's aren't worth much, but it would be correct #'s for my 78 Rally and would prefer to have an original 4th Gen to put back in it. I should be coming through that way around 1st or 2nd week of August. Intake and other parts you mentioned you're keeping I already have so that won't be a problem.

Does the car have A/C, and do you need any of those componenets? I have a complete A/C system might be able to swap you for it if you want. Or maybe a Summit racing seat with vinyl cover and 4 point harness. I may have some other stuff laying around you need too, but not much interior stuff.

[novarally77]

Ok great! Im getting really close to gettin in there and gettin it done. The 305 runs great and has no smoking or pinging. According to the odometer and the guy who sold it to me, it has just under 80k on it. I am still unsure if I want to keep it for my next project or not. The motor is still mounted in my nova and all is working and reliable enough to drive it everyday, if it werent for gas prices :) But the engine is in great mechanical shape with no mahor defects. My car does not currently have AC, but I dont think that I am all that interested in it either. Hot Rods are all about power and AC robs it! What I really need is the final pieces to get the engine and trans swap done, and a posi rear end. I have been looking for one but im not too sure what I am really looking for. Just a fair-weather car that will smoke the tires and all those annoying ricers that are around here :) If you have any rearends we can do a partial trade or whatever works out. Just let me know.

[jade76]

Not at the moment I don't, but will be visiting parts yard sometime this week and was planning on finding another 8.5 myself, or at least a posi carrier. Will let you know if I find one. I do have an extra 7.5 with complete new brakes and if I can find a posi carrier for it, I have a set of 3.42 gears to put in it as well. Was going to find a posi to put in it with the 3.42s for a backup.