Hey old skoolers, another question?

[aaron_warshaw]

Ok I lied I have a couple questions... First whats up with the power steering pump why the heck is it so big? Second question whats up with no trunk access from inside the car, what gm didnt think of having a lever for access to the trunk? Last question how can I tell if the engine wasnt replaced and the odometer was rolled back? ( i appreciate your answers )

[the FLYER]

it's quite a bit of work ta roll back an odometer... i've done it on 3 55 Chevys i owned. it's tricky but if ya know how ta do it it can be done... like i said... a lotta work.

you're not 'sposed ta lose yer trunk key... so why do ya need access to the trunk ??? call a lock smith or use a hideaway or save an extra key in yer wallet...

check the passenger side pad on the block and get the code, you can decode it and see if it's the block designated for your model car... some early blocks had vin on same pad next to block code.

i doubt seriously the odometer's been turned.

[aaron_warshaw]

what about pulling the engine and putting another in... is it possible to match the engine to the car to the odometer? if so how? also I didnt lose the key it just amazes me gm didnt think to put a trunk latch in the car. my powersteering pump resembles a ufo is there smaller ones with the same effectiveness?

[the FLYER]

what about pulling the engine and putting another in... is it possible to match the engine to the car to the odometer? if so how? also I didnt lose the key it just amazes me gm didnt think to put a trunk latch in the car. my powersteering pump resembles a ufo is there smaller ones with the same effectiveness?



the odometer does nothing but count the mileage... has nothing ta do with anything else...


yeah i guess you could change PS pumps, but i'd think the engineering of the system calls for what's there ta work... different pump, different pressure... the system's designed ta work with what's there.


some aftermarket HotRod/StreetRod catalogs offer a remote trunk opening kit with a solenoid etc... check the Web-Link Library for links... they're in there...

[jade76]

I put a power trunk release on my 76. I actually bought an NOS off ebay. The instructions state for a 68-70 Camaro/Chevelle, but it mounted right up to the latch, just had to remove a metal tab under the latch which took nothing more than a screwdriver and hammer to punch it out. I've looked on there for others, but what I've seen on there since are not the same and not sure if they'll work.

I rolled the odometer back on my 76, but had to take apart 3 gauges before I got it right. The entire gauge and odometer has to be disassembled without breaking any of the parts, and numbers are held in line by a very brittle piece of plastic. Without that plastic piece the numbers will not accurately roll over and line up.

[Nova Bob]

speaking of the little plastic piece,does anyone know where i can get one?

[jade76]

roberto white speaking of the little plastic piece,does anyone know where i can get one?

You're going to have to get it from another gauge. Your only other option is to make one and that may be the best way to go. I believe it's about 1/4" x 2" with 5 small 1/8"? squares evenly spaced which could be done with a small square punch. The original plastic is extremely thin which is what makes it so brittle, but if you made your own, it could be made a little thicker without interfering with any of the other mechanisms.

[Philip]

GM put power trunk releases in a lot of cars including Novas.It was an extra cost option. You got to remember Novas were a low cost car in the GM line. Not a lot of them came equipped with modern day conveniences. Most didn't even have a switch on the passenger side to turn on the dome light when the door was opened.
They can be retrofitted with factory parts. I removed one from a 77 Pontiac Le Mans and it bolted right up to my Nova. I removed one from a 79 Olds 98 and it will also fit the 4th gen Novas, it went into my 79 Turbo Regal.
This is the back side, after removing the plate Jade mentioned this can be bolted on and the lever at the bottom left trips the latch when power is applied.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/64elcamino/77trunkrelease3.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/64elcamino/77trunkrelease2.jpg

[jade76]

That one Philip posted looks similar to the one I have and exactly the kind that can be found on ebay pretty regularly for about $20.

Very simple to hook up. Only takes about 15-20 minutes to line up the latch, run a single wire to the switch, add a female spade plug to end of wire from switch and plug into the empty battery plug coming out of the fuse box. An inline fuse between fuse box and switch couldn't hurt either. Some have a servo or solenoid (whatever it's called) from fuse box to switch. It's looks like a small silver barrel with wire coming out of each end, and I think it probably regulates the voltage to the switch and trunk release so you don't fry it.

[the FLYER]

WOW !!! i'm gonna have ta go through my junk !!! i think i have one a those in my shop !!! dunno where i got it or what it fit... just another unidentified part i've had fer years fer some reason or another... i'd swear it's the same !!!


PHILLIP !!! if it is the same... be expecting a package ;)

[aaron_warshaw]

good stuff, good info phil. very usefull I gota pick a part 15 min away. so nobody knows if the engine has some kind of marker to match to the odometer and actual car. I was also wondering I have a thin line of tan paint on the already beige color, my vin says its not a custom but it has dual exhaust and I was wondering is that thin decal line with the dual exhaust standard gm? If you dont get what im saying ima post pics soon.

[Philip]

Aaron have you been to this site http://www.novaresource.org/ On the left side is an index to lots of good Nova info and specs. While you are there look at the axle code section and check which rear end you have.

Stamped into the block in front of the passenger side head are numbers and letters that will identify where the engine was originally installed.Top row is the plant and build date info, the second row is a partial vin of the car it was installed in from the factory. Post them and I will decode for you.

The pinstripe on the car could be factory or added by a previous owner. The dual exhaust, if factory, was only on the 350 motors. Most often found with the hi perf models and the police 9C1 package. If you have a 9C1 it is an excellent package, lots of nice suspension upgrades and somewhat rare.

Post some photos when you can.

[71SS454]

The odometer question you keep asking is simple. If the engine is original to the car, then it matches the odometer. If it's not, then it dosen't. If it's rebuilt, then the engine only has the miles on it since it was rebuilt. All the odometer does is tell how far the car has gone over it's lifetime. Get the numbers off the engine pad and see what you have. The odometer means nothing when talking about the engine.

[jade76]

Philip Quoted:
The dual exhaust, if factory, was only on the 350 motors. Most often found with the hi perf models and the police 9C1 package. If you have a 9C1 it is an excellent package, lots of nice suspension upgrades and somewhat rare.


Was it just available with the hi perf. models and 9C1's with 350's or was it like an extra option that could be ordered with any V8? I was at the understanding after 75 all were single since catalytic converters became mandatory, or were they split after the converter? I just thought it was always a modification somebody made, but it'd be nice to know. It would definitely make sense with the higher performance engine.

[Philip]

The dual exhaust from the factory was a single pipe to the muffler with two outlets.

[Green Dragon]

\ The dual exhaust, if factory, was only on the 350 motors. Most often found with the hi perf models and the police 9C1 package.

- I have to disagree with the dual exhaust being 350 only, as my 305 77 Rally has that , as does my original muffler,original shocks,everything but the tires 29K mile 78 Phoenix ( again, 305, U code motor ).
posibly V8 only, but certainly not limited to 350's.

~ AL

[aaron_warshaw]

hey phil
check out the new post with the pics and tell me if you think its a bc1 with the mysterious lock and trim paint.. thanks man