Blue Light Special V2.0 is Running!

[novaboy009]

I fried the module on my dizzy, that's why the spark was very weak when I was trying to start it before. Changed the module and VARROOOMMM.

I drove the Nova to work today and all over the place this weekend. Put about 150 miles on it (2 oil and filter changes and $50 in pump premium already:rolleyes:.

It's obnoxious. The converter feels good (flashes to 3600 rpm), engine runs well, suspension works well. It needs an alignment and the full exhaust put on it, along with some other little things. It breaks up at high rpm. I figured out the plug wires were arching, so I'll throw a set of wires on tonight.

TNT on Wednesday if everything is sorted out!

Kev :D:D:D

[Mike Goble]

..I figured out the plug wires were arching..

Are those the ones from McDonalds? I think they come pre-arched...

[DriveWFO]

That's good news Kev :) I don't think the weather will cooperate on Wednesday though :rolleyes: Are you floating the valves or do you think it's the coil causing it to break-up? What rpm does that start to happen?

[novaboy009]

It starts missing at about 4k or so, especially in 3rd. Like I said, the plug wires are arc(h)ing ;)

Kev

[patman]

Awesome news! I was checking in here over the weekend to see what the progress was...but I was afraid to ask. CONGRATS!

So what was the punchline to the starter/flexplate story? Just that the new whizbang starter gave you enough adjustment to compensate? Curious...

And you need to update your sig to BLS 2.0...

[novaboy009]

The whiz bang starter bolted right up. No shims, no problems at all. I was amazed. It was a little further over and the bendix gear came out of the starter a lot more, fully engaging the bendix into the flexplate teeth. Just had to chase down the spark problem and it fired right up at 8 pm on Friday.

Kev

[69NovaSS]

Congrats Kev, good luck at the TNT:):thumbsup:

[nova64000]

Thats good to hear,

"Are those the ones from McDonalds? I think they come pre-arched..."

You mean the yellow wires, I got a almost new set of those and it breaks up a little when cruising. I'm gonna get a better set of wires soon...

[veno]

Great... another Chevy on the road:ragtop:... the ford and mopar guys are furious:mad:!

HA... Ha... we win!:chev:

haha.. great news man...

[Ironman]

I was able to get busy on mine shortly after I talked with you. I put the 350 back in and it fired right up and sat there and idled like a champ. I haven't changed valve springs yet as I'm in the middle of getting the floor pan and cage painted. I had planned on going to Wednesday TNT because I need some time on the tree. TBD. The Canfields are going back this week. I'm leaning toward the Brodix Track 1 as the replacement.

[Ironman]

Hey - How fast is this thing going to run?
12.80's?

[novaboy009]

It went 13.0x's @ 105 before in the cold weather. I'd say 12.80's would be reasonable, but hoping for more.

I said it before though, I mostly just want it to go down the track consistently and not break until late fall.

Kev

[DriveWFO]

Well what did it run at TNT?!?!?!?

[Scooter]

I want to see a video.

[novaboy009]

My uncle died, had to go to the viewing, not to mention it was looking like a wash out. I'm just hoping the weather breaks so I can make some passes tomorrow. It's not looking good now.

Kev

[DriveWFO]

My uncle died, had to go to the viewing, not to mention it was looking like a wash out. I'm just hoping the weather breaks so I can make some passes tomorrow. It's not looking good now.

Kev

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. Tomorrow is supposed to be pretty nice, but all the rain we've received the past few days may seep up through the track despite being sunny tomorrow. Not to mention, they won't open if the pits are muddy.

[Mark Romeo]

I would put a good chunk of change on the fact that they will open tomorrow. They hate racing Sundays more than anything, if they rain out tomorrow that means a Sunday points make up race next month. They won't WANT to do that.

Kevin, sorry to hear about your uncle.

[Ironman]

I'm itching to get to the track. I'm going through withdrawels. Driving a 17 second back up car just isn't the same. Looks like a big old rain storm coming in a couple hours so hoepfully it will blow over and tomorrow will bring sunshine.

[DrDenny's 69 Rat]

Kev,
Sorry to hear about your uncle. Let us know how you run.

Denis

[novaboy009]

Well, just did some last minute adjustments to the nova. Set total timing to 36 degrees, adjusted the shift linkage, chased down a leak to the timing chain cover, changed the oil, and set the front shocks to 90/10. It's raining pretty good now, let's hope for the best.

Kev

[Ironman]

No racing in Pittsburgh today. Anyway we can send this rain to someone that needs it? I'm sick of it already :puke:

[DriveWFO]

Track is closed today.

[Mark Romeo]

I know I am getting sick and tired of sitting and watching the puffy clouds go by and have to put my sunglasses on to see cause the sun is so bright, when they cancel so early. I as well as most that I talk to are willing to wait, we can start later, there is no hurry to start ON TIME run the JR's with the big cars and start us all at 2 or 3 if we have to. They think they HAVE to be ready for jrs at 9 in the morning. We took our money to the local circle track race where there was nothing but dust, how is it that the track claims so much mud, yet a DIRT (MUD) track is dry as a bone? I think they need to loose thier focus on this national event which is 2 years (or more) away and focus on DRAINAGE!!!


Sorry for the rant....

MR...getting tired of watching the car sit on the trailer.

[novaboy009]

Yah, instead of racing I had to go pick out tuxedo's, wedding bands and a wedding cake :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

And you thought you had it bad!

Kev

[Ironman]

Kev - Are you heading to the track tomorrow for TNT? I lost a rocker arm ( caught it before I lost it in pieces) but I'll be delayed for a day. If you are going I'll stop over for an hour or two on my way home from work.

[novaboy009]

Go figure, I think I lost one too. On the parkway last night, lost a bunch of power and heard something tapping. Oil pressure was fine and coolant was fine, just rapping real bad. I think a rocker backed off. I've had bad luck with those polylocks backing off the studs before. I have to investigate this evening. No track until this weekend barring any major top end melt downs.

Kev

[DriveWFO]

I think the car gods are telling you and Tom not to race this year :eek:

[novaboy009]

Yah, two rained out weekends, several rained out TNT's, uncle dies, cars keep blowing up, starters won't go in, heads aren't the right casting......

if it aint one thing, it's another!

Kev

[Ironman]

I hear ya guys! At least I caught the rocker before I had small parts going through my engine. I have about a year and a half if hard running on them so I'll let them pass.

My heads are officially returned, I got money in the bank! Now I gotta buy something else!

Kev - I have never had a lock nut back off. Hydraulic or solid. I don't over tighten them, but when I am done they are not going anywhere. Maybe it is just something simple we can tweak.

[novaboy009]

I wonder if maybe the push rods are a little short too. When the rockers were all the way down they were starting to lose contact with the rocker. I don't think that's normal. That doesn't really make sense though, the specs are almost identical except this is a hyd instead of a solid cam. I did have the machinist change valve springs.... hmmmm. Well, I'll tear down and report back later.

Kev

[Dragster66SS]

I have to force myself to only check this thread once every week or 3... then get caught up in 5 min or so. Reminds me of how my Grandaddy used to keep up with "The young and the restless" and other soaps when Granny was watchin them every day,, always he'd catch up every other Friday. LOL

Good Luck to both of you :)


Lee - back to lurking and anticipating some good lap times.:cool:

[Ironman]

Kev, You need to check and measure for pushrod length. Absolutely critical. I have an adjustable pushrod if you need it. Or you can always order or make one yourself. I'd drive over and we could check it out but I have a couple reports for work to finish tonight. Give me a buzz, maybe I can look at it tomorrow.

I also have 5/16, .083 wall in 8.100" and 8.150" lengths if you may need one. Brand new. I may end up needing the 8.100 for the 350 but wont know until tomorrow night. I ordered a set of Harland Sharp rockers to replace my old ones. I also have the Summit set for the bigger motor but just may keep the Harland and ship the Summit back.

TNT postponed until Friday due to......you guessed it...rain.

[novaboy009]

Well, I snapped a rocker stud off. Awesome. Beat the crap out of the rocker too. I don't think any pieces went into the engine though.

One new rocker, a pair of studs and some .100 longer push rods are coming from summit. Tom, I'm going to call you now.

Kev

[novaboy009]

Well, I went back through the valvetrain with longer pushrods, new stud and rocker. The valvetrain geometry looks MUCH better now. The only problem is that no one sells the older style Erson roller rockers, so I had to order a different brand. Summit sells theirs in singles, so I got one of them. The rocker runs right into the valve cover, and as I tightened down the cover, the valve cover cracked :mad: I don't feel too bad because the valve cover was already showing a number of spider cracks on the under side for both sides. I'm getting a set of tall Moroso covers and hopefully this thing will be a strong runner.

Kev

[DriveWFO]

Well, I went back through the valvetrain with longer pushrods, new stud and rocker. The valvetrain geometry looks MUCH better now. The only problem is that no one sells the older style Erson roller rockers, so I had to order a different brand. Summit sells theirs in singles, so I got one of them. The rocker runs right into the valve cover, and as I tightened down the cover, the valve cover cracked :mad: I don't feel too bad because the valve cover was already showing a number of spider cracks on the under side for both sides. I'm getting a set of tall Moroso covers and hopefully this thing will be a strong runner.

Kev

Kev, bring that wounded piece of sh** to my house and leave it with me for a few days. It will be ready to rock.

[novaboy009]

Should I leave my credit card?

Kev

[DriveWFO]

Should I leave my credit card?

Kev

Not if you already bought the valve covers...

[Ironman]

Need tall valve covers......call me.

[Ironman]

Kev - Did you get things straightened out?

[novaboy009]

Valve covers are sitting at my door from Summit. I'm stuck in the world's longest power point presentation at work. Arggggg

Kev

[Ironman]

RU planning on heading to TNT tonight? It's raining in Latrobe right now but looks like it will pass.

[novaboy009]

I have a conference call at 7:30 tonight. I'm thinking about going to the rice burner show on Friday to make some passes. Then Saturday racing and Sunday Box/No box. We have a campsite reserved for Saturday and Sunday nights right in New Alexandria. Should be fun.

Kev

[Ironman]

Sounds like me, as much as I probably wont care for it, I need some seat time so think I may do Friday night. I am definitely doing Sat/Sun.

Don't you love those late night conference calls? Just wait for the ones in the middle of the night with the Asia-Pacific!

[patman]

I have a conference call at 7:30 tonight.

Geez Kev, that's what they make cellphones for!

Um, yes sir, the projected profits in this area areSCREEEEEEEEwaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHRrrm mrrmmrmrm...oh, sorry, let me repeat that...

[DriveWFO]

Just tell them you gotta put them on hold for 12.8 seconds ;)

[DriveWFO]

Got it all worked out yet?!?!

[mrrepodude]

Kev, is it still together in ONE piece???:D

[novaboy009]

Nova is packed up and ready to go, firing on all cylinders. Just made a silly mistake when I set the valves - Set the valves for TDC on #6 and valves for #6 on TDC. It will run like crap like that! I had to change an exhaust gasket and fiddle with some other little things, but it runs strong now! I'll be racing all weekend, report back on Monday.

Kev

[Ironman]

I decided not to go tonight. I'll be there by noon tomorrow.

How does it feel, much stronger than before?

[patman]

12.78 @ 102

[novaboy009]

Feels strong, I'd rather just be consistent and go a few rounds. I have a 9:30 baseball game on the northside, hopefully I'll be at the track around 12:30. Who cares, street/trophy won't run until 3 anyway lol.

Kev

[DriveWFO]

Feels strong, I'd rather just be consistent and go a few rounds. I have a 9:30 baseball game on the northside, hopefully I'll be at the track around 12:30. Who cares, street/trophy won't run until 3 anyway lol.

Kev

Good luck dude. Report back with your 1st 12 second timeslip :)

[DriveWFO]

Good luck dude. Report back with your 1st 12 second timeslip :)

?????????????????????????????????????????????????

[patman]

?????????????????????????????????????????????????

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Anyone got Kev's cell number?

[DriveWFO]

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Anyone got Kev's cell number?

I called, but it went directly to voicemail (aka phone isn't on) :rolleyes:

[Ironman]

Kev started out 13.30 something and worked down to 13.18 I think.

I dropped a valve in the back up, tired 350. First motor I ever lost.

[DriveWFO]

Kev started out 13.30 something and worked down to 13.18 I think.

I dropped a valve in the back up, tired 350. First motor I ever lost.

Did ya over-rev?

[Ironman]

Did ya over-rev?

Not over rev, FOD!

I'll post pictures later.

[DriveWFO]

Kevin must not be too happy about his ET this weekend, I figured he would've been posting 12 second timeslips all night on here :eek:

[Ironman]

Kev was camping close to the track Saturday night and running Sunday too so he may not have gotten to a pc yet.

My problem was from being a dumba$$. I must have been asleep at the wheel when I put the 350 back in. I somehow managed to drop a short head bolt in the head runner and after 3 passes at the strip it managed to get stuck between a valve and the seat.

[DriveWFO]

Kev was camping close to the track Saturday night and running Sunday too so he may not have gotten to a pc yet.

My problem was from being a dumba$$. I must have been asleep at the wheel when I put the 350 back in. I somehow managed to drop a short head bolt in the head runner and after 3 passes at the strip it managed to get stuck between a valve and the seat.

OUCH :eek: At least it wasn't the new motor :)

[novaboy009]

Went four rounds on Sunday in the box/no box race. Got $25 back, so not a bad deal. Car went a best of 12.98 @ 103.5 in the heat on Sunday. 60 foots were in the 1.86-1.88 range. The only thing I did was go from 38 degrees of timing on Saturday to 36 on Sunday. I also brought my shift point from 6500 to 6100 and it picked up a tenth or two. A.J. in the blue 2nd gen Camaro sent me home both nights. First on a .003 breakout and then on a .003 red light. The thousanths were killing me.

Only problems:

1. Half way through a pass, the circuit with my voltmeter and electric fan shorted out. I wired the switch under the hood in between passes so I could use the fan this weekend.

2. Throttle hung up at 3/4 throttle when the lever for the accerator pump jumped off and the linkage jammed on the nut for the throttle stud.

Overall, made 16 passes this weekend (third round exit in street, lost in trophy first round, 4 rounds on Sunday).

Best 60: 1.84
Best ET: 12.98
Best MPH: 103.7
Best RT: .005 (but they were a little all over the place, need more seat time)

Great weekend!

Tom, sorry to hear about the continued bad luck. Let me know if I can help you with anything!

Kev

[DriveWFO]

So how does it feel?!?! You finally did it. Now the motor can let go :D

[novaboy009]

Feels good to go out there with a fresh motor and suspension, barely driven at all, and be competitive first weekend out with very few mechanical problems. If the ET stays the same and it goes all summer, I'd consider it a victory lol.

Kev

[patman]

Congrats on running in the 12's!

[novamike]

Great job Kev.
Mike

[agpd45]

Stay tuned for the quest for 11s!!! haha, j/k. Good running Kev.

[DriveWFO]

Stay tuned for the quest for 11s!!! haha, j/k. Good running Kev.

11s are only a bottle away :D

[novaboy009]

Car is loaded up for tonight. I'll be doing the Mike's Auto Body Shootout. Let's see if I can take home a couple hundred bucks. Hopefully I can back up the 12.90 in the cool weather. I'm gonna pull some plugs, I think it's a little fat now.

Kev

[patman]

Best ET: 12.98

Hopefully I can back up the 12.90

Geez Kev, you already picked up .08 just by parking it all week! :D:D:D At this rate, you'll be in the 11's by the end of the summer...

Seriously, good luck...bring back the $$$!!!!

[novaboy009]

Ahem..... back up the 12.9x.

Thanks for the clarification of my slowness lol. Parking it all week, geez, I just got it back home Monday afternoon, and I'm back out again racing it on Wednesday. This car has been getting some serious seat time since I've got it running! I missed driving old 70's junk!

Kev

[DrDenny's 69 Rat]

Hey Kev!

I don't believe I ever seen any pics of your car. Post some pics of the car and new engine.

[Ironman]

Kev - Didn't see you at the track last night, what happened?

[novaboy009]

Sheared off 2 wheel studs on the way there and bunged up the rest. Hit a big pot hole on 22 and the front left wheel came flying off. The lugs must have been loose. The wheel destroyed my driver side fender. A good semaritan got me down to Napa and I got a few nuts on the remaining studs and drove the thing home at 30 mph.

I'm in the market for a new fender if anyone has one for a 4th gen (driver side).

Not a good night.

Kev

[DriveWFO]

Sheared off 2 wheel studs on the way there and bunged up the rest. Hit a big pot hole on 22 and the front left wheel came flying off. The lugs must have been loose. The wheel destroyed my driver side fender. A good semaritan got me down to Napa and I got a few nuts on the remaining studs and drove the thing home at 30 mph.

I'm in the market for a new fender if anyone has one for a 4th gen (driver side).

Not a good night.

Kev

Crap man, good thing that didn't happen on the big end of the track :eek:

[novaboy009]

Yah, I was counting my blessings. It could have been a lot worse. I was going 10 mph and that thing had some serious velocity. Probably could have killed me on the highway.

Kev

[patman]

Ouch! Glad to hear nobody got hurt...except the fender of course. Could have been much worse...

[Mark Romeo]

Man, from reading these post's you have just about no GOOD luck. Lots of bad luck though. Hopefully things turn around and go the other way. I would be willing to bet those lugs were somewhat loose to shear studs off. We lost a tire on our trailer when it was new a couple years ago, we "ignored" the warnings to tighten the lugs every 50, 100, 250 miles. We were also lucky the tire didn't hit anybody, as it went directly through a shopping center parking lot.

[novaboy009]

The wheel hit a junky 80's cavalier with pretty good speed. The kid was pretty funny about it. He said it added to the "awesomeness" of the car. Whatever, at least it didn't hit a porshe or something.

Mark,

This was the racing God's smiting me for a good weekend. Can't have a drop of good luck without several gallons of bad!

Kev

[ALLT4]

Hey novaboy, where do you guys run? Any interest in having a forum meet sometime at Beaver Springs or elsewhere? We've tried stuff like this on the corvette forum but at the last minute everyone seems to back out. Maybe this place will be different.

[novaboy009]

I run at Piitsburgh Raceway Park (New Alexandria, PA) and Quakercity in Salem, OH. Beaver Springs is 3.5 hours for me. I'd have to tow the car. I might be able to do it on a Sunday. Saturday is points day at PRP.

Kev

[Ironman]

glad to see you are ok Kev.

As of now the last two weekends in June are not points days. One is a JR dragster race weekend and the other is the Chrysler classic. I was talking with Bob (black Mercury) about heading to Beaver, Quaker, Mason Dixon, also Dragway 42 and Thompson are on my short list. I'm not driving that far so I gotta figure out the cost for a truck trailer combo and if I want to spend the money or just go out and buy a truck.

[novamike]

I'm glad you survived your "OH SH*T" moment!
I feel your pain and frustration ,bro.
Hang in there, it'll get better.
Titanic Mike

[jason snyder]

MY GOD , whats next ? you have bad luck ! that car is jinxed,i would sell it and get another.

[62civa]

Hey Kev,
I am glad you are all right.

I would have to say that maybe you have been pushing yourself too hard to get that car ready to race. I know how bad you want to run the car, but maybe you should take a day and give the whole car a once over. I don't want to see you get hurt. Maybe spend a few hours double checking a few things just for safety's sake. Just my opinon, I'm not trying to be rude, just want you safe:D

PS, I am right there with Dr. Denny, we need some photos of the new Blue Light Special:yes:
Ron

[DrDenny's 69 Rat]

And now you can add the carnage photos!:yes: Glad to here you are OK!