**72 Nova Roller**

[sbc1320]

Originally Posted by Capt. Nova72

I'm probably going to keep it...

1. It's fully powder coated so why mess with a good thing?

2. I actually think it would look pretty good in a black engine bay. It won't be a perfect show car anyway and I don't see a reason to bother trying to do a color match on something not as visible.

But yes I too am interested to see how it would turn out in the engine bay.

No offense but I would scuff the heck out of it and paint it black.

[Capt. Nova72]

Originally Posted by sbc1320

No offense but I would scuff the heck out of it and paint it black.

None taken, it all comes down to time/cost. If its something I can do while still meeting my graduation deadline I would possibly do it. The likely route: if I really don't like it I can take it out when it's out of commish when I'm putting the 350 in it.

[68bbnova]

No one has mentioned that the subframe in the picture is NOT a 68-72 nova. It appears to be a camaro, or possibly a later mid to late 70's Nova.

[Capt. Nova72]

Originally Posted by 68bbnova

No one has mentioned that the subframe in the picture is NOT a 68-72 nova. It appears to be a camaro, or possibly a later mid to late 70's Nova.

Really? As far as you know will that still fit or am I s.o.l on this one?

Pics:

Rocker project

Rear portion







Front portion





Some rear shock mount rot--chopped out for mini tubs anyway





Stay tuned for more updates this week!!

[CRUISIN'73]

BBnova is right, that is very different from any 68-73 subframe I have ever seen. Maybe I missed it, did you buy that separately from the car? In your last post it looks like the original front subframe is still in the car. I'd doubt they are compatible, but grab a tape measure and check ASAP.

So you are planning to attend a 4 year for a BS in weld and fab. Do you want to pursue a Mechanical engineer or Industrial engineer career? Or something like working in or running a fab shop maybe?

[Capt. Nova72]

Crap!! It was bought separately from the car. I know in the ebay ad the guy said it would fit the 68-72 nova category. If not I think my dad could easily make the $$ back that he bought it for, there weren't really other bidders on it. I'll check this out today after school.

Cruisin'73: I never looked into going past the 4 years, have you had any experience with this? I just figured on graduating and going west where supposedly the good welding jobs are, save my money, and potentially start my own shop. My cousin owns a custom dragster shop that I worked at for a couple days over the summer. That inspired me as far as the kind of shop I want to run.

Cruisin please pm me if you have any insightful info that could help me out. Always looking to learn more.

[Capt. Nova72]

One of my first welding jobs, inner fender-Front





Primer job on the trunk





As always stay tuned for updates

[Capt. Nova72]

So it has been a while since I updated. I should and want to work on the nova today but the flu is coming on (merry Christmas) and Im dead right now. Here's some pics of what the wheelhouse looked like prior and leading into the mini tub process.









Happy holidays to all!

[asteeler4life]

YOUR CAR LOOKS LIKE MINE WHEN I STARTED!

[Capt. Nova72]

Originally Posted by asteeler4life

YOUR CAR LOOKS LIKE MINE WHEN I STARTED!

Yea I'm really hoping for the day that rust is in style...

[Capt. Nova72]

Here are some pics of mini-tubbing the passenger side wheel well. Had to do some unanticipated patch and metal replacement work once it was opened up but I don't think I have pics of that stuff.

The misc. frame reinforcement pieces:



Initial cuts:





Frame work:





Finishing:





All in all I'm happy with the outcome on the passengers side. I had to replace the wheelhouses anyway, I may not have fatter tires in there immediately but at least its done, and comparably I like the look of the slightly fatter wheel-well in the trunk.

[Capt. Nova72]

Moving on to the quarter project:

Sanding the old primer off, sat in a guy's shed for several years.


Epoxy Primer


Cutting:






Off