Hello my parents gifted me a 76 nova that’s been sitting in the driveway since I was a baby. Just got out of the military and got back home so I can finally work on it but I have no idea where to start. It runs and I’ve been driving it around town for about two weeks. I’m hopping to get it running a little better first before I do anything else but again I have no idea where to start I have absolutely zero experience with cars but I don’t want to take it to some random person to fix it. The car basically screams at me to slow down once I hit around 55. Anything will help honestly and if there’s any questions or if you need pictures to help I’ll gladly get back to you.
Cybrplus
welcome to the nova site. thanks for your service to this country. take on one thing at a time to fix or repair an do take lots of pictures to help in the re-assemble.
Thank you for your service and welcome to the site! Id start with changing the oil, greasing the front steering components, pulling the wheels and checking the brakes. Next, I'd think about a tune-up on the engine. Plugs/wires/distributor cap & rotor and fuel filter. Make sure the coolant looks good and is full. I assume it has decent tires? If it needs a front-end alignment (car pulls or wanders when driving) you can get that done while replacing the tires. One more thing, shocks. If they are old, they are probably shot. You can check this by heavily pushing down on the bumper at each corner of the car and observing the cars bounce back. if it bounces at all after the initial return, they are probably bad. Hope this helps. Let us know how you are coming along with it.
Hello! Welcome to the site and thank you for your service!
I agree with kimmer71... a complete tuneup, fluid change, and vehicle inspection is in order.
How old is the fuel in the gas tank?
Did the Nova sit unused for a long period of time with the same gas within the tank?... or was this car driven (and refueled) regularity?
Can you give a better description of what “screaming at 55 mph” means?... are you describing a noise or lack of car/engine performance at this speed?
Some current pics would also be helpful.
I agree with kimmer71... a complete tuneup, fluid change, and vehicle inspection is in order.
How old is the fuel in the gas tank?
Did the Nova sit unused for a long period of time with the same gas within the tank?... or was this car driven (and refueled) regularity?
Can you give a better description of what “screaming at 55 mph” means?... are you describing a noise or lack of car/engine performance at this speed?
Some current pics would also be helpful.
Hello and welcome to SNS! Thank you for your service and dedication to this country! As for the Nova, pretty sure all the above comments say most of what is needed to establish at least a baseline. As @kimmer71 and @RifRaf mention, indeed you need to at least know what you're working with and get it working to the best of its ability before going further. A thorough inspection should tell you what demands immediate attention. If the car is screaming, my guess is the transmission probably is low on fluid or... it really depends on what the screaming sounds like. could be brakes... could be power steering pump, could be the rear end... as @carcrazy615 mentioned. Pictures or even video can help possibly define the origin better.
Pictures are appreciated and always welcomed, we're all here to help!!
~Andy
Pictures are appreciated and always welcomed, we're all here to help!!
~Andy
Hello, nice to meet you all! I am new member here. And I join this forum to learn more from you. Cant wait to engage with you in the near future
Hey . . . . Cybrplus , Welcome to SNS ; many good things happen here .
1st thing (other than what has already been said ) . . . .
so , start with more info , about u'r 76 Nova ; what body style = 2door or 4dr ; do you know what
(which) engine & transmission you may have ( like : V-8 or L 6 - cylinder ; automatic or standard tranny . . ? ) .
2nd thing = that I would do is = buy yourself a good "Digital Camara" (one that uses a 'smart card' ) .
Then, just take all u'r pictures on those "cards" . . . . . . you'll always have a record of any pictures , you
may take .
POSTING Pictures ; here on SNS IS Very easy ............... straight from u'r "Desktop" (no photo - hosting -
extra site is needed) . Then , you can 'post several pictures' - - in the same post . ( I've posted up to
about 12 to 15 pic's in the same post) . = = = If you do more than , say 2 or 3 . . . at a time . . .
I even number my pictures ................... then , when somebody has a question , about an item , they
can choose that "number" (just helps get on the same idea (picture) .
some good & easy picture posting info :
Look at the lower "icons , at the bottom of this posting box " .............
find the section , with ;
1. - - the paper clip = Attachment .
2. - - the chain links = Insert links .
3. - - the " sun & mountains " = Insert image .
4. - - the camara ' image ' = Gallery embed .
5. - - the "smiley face" = Smiles .
6. - - the 3 dots = Insert .
Choose Number : 3 , that's the camara . . . . .
You can take u'r picture ; have any pic on your desk-top ; make whatever "comments" in your post ;
then , when ready - - click on the sun & mountains image . . . . an image BOX will appear :
It Says : Drop Image - Here .
Drag your picture over too the BOX , and drop it in . = Done .
While your Picture is loading ............... you can 'scroll down' . . . . you will see a percentage
number of how your picture is loading .
Wait , until you get too - 100 % . . . watch u'r picture "load" (it will show that it is posted ) .
Keeps you from .............. double posting the same pictures ............. in the same post .
You can post pictures : from FB , vendor sites , albums , ect . = very easy ; and , better than
............ " Attachments " .
ps ........... Thank You , for your Service .......................
later , jim
Chino Valley , Az
USMC 68 - 70
1st thing (other than what has already been said ) . . . .
so , start with more info , about u'r 76 Nova ; what body style = 2door or 4dr ; do you know what
(which) engine & transmission you may have ( like : V-8 or L 6 - cylinder ; automatic or standard tranny . . ? ) .
2nd thing = that I would do is = buy yourself a good "Digital Camara" (one that uses a 'smart card' ) .
Then, just take all u'r pictures on those "cards" . . . . . . you'll always have a record of any pictures , you
may take .
POSTING Pictures ; here on SNS IS Very easy ............... straight from u'r "Desktop" (no photo - hosting -
extra site is needed) . Then , you can 'post several pictures' - - in the same post . ( I've posted up to
about 12 to 15 pic's in the same post) . = = = If you do more than , say 2 or 3 . . . at a time . . .
I even number my pictures ................... then , when somebody has a question , about an item , they
can choose that "number" (just helps get on the same idea (picture) .
some good & easy picture posting info :
Look at the lower "icons , at the bottom of this posting box " .............
find the section , with ;
1. - - the paper clip = Attachment .
2. - - the chain links = Insert links .
3. - - the " sun & mountains " = Insert image .
4. - - the camara ' image ' = Gallery embed .
5. - - the "smiley face" = Smiles .
6. - - the 3 dots = Insert .
Choose Number : 3 , that's the camara . . . . .
You can take u'r picture ; have any pic on your desk-top ; make whatever "comments" in your post ;
then , when ready - - click on the sun & mountains image . . . . an image BOX will appear :
It Says : Drop Image - Here .
Drag your picture over too the BOX , and drop it in . = Done .
While your Picture is loading ............... you can 'scroll down' . . . . you will see a percentage
number of how your picture is loading .
Wait , until you get too - 100 % . . . watch u'r picture "load" (it will show that it is posted ) .
Keeps you from .............. double posting the same pictures ............. in the same post .
You can post pictures : from FB , vendor sites , albums , ect . = very easy ; and , better than
............ " Attachments " .
ps ........... Thank You , for your Service .......................
later , jim
Chino Valley , Az
USMC 68 - 70
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