[Wolvee]

I wanted to start a build thread. I just bought the car and I haven't completely gone through it to see what needs to be done. It's a Bench seat car that was originally Yellow. Someone already swapped in '69 copo 427 engine. Seems like it's got a big street cam. It's my first Big Block car but I have had a couple other Novas. I'm coming directly from a 2021 GT500. I love that car but I needed something to tear into with both hands. I can't do anything to the Shelby without lowering it's value.

I want Fuel Injection, Air Conditioning, the right stances/suspension and insulation/sound deadening.

The rear of the car has 15x8 Rally wheels but for some reason, only a 235 tire with Air Shocks so I'm betting there is something strange going on with the Multileaf and Air shocks. The front alignment is also a little out of spec so that's where I'm going to start.

I don't care about being different or Original.

 

[mc1984ss]

Looks like you are starting with a really nice car!

 

[Wolvee]

Looks like you are starting with a really nice car!

Thanks,
I really wanted a car I could get in and enjoy with the family right away. I know there are going to be thing I find as I go. I'd say it's an 80% car. It's all there but eventually, everything is going to have to be pulled out and redone. I have done the ground up stuff before and it still leads to the same place. Usually, driving is the last thing you get to do before selling.

 

[BLYOTH]

Nice looking car. I have been messing around with the rally wheels on my Dad's 1968 Nova. He is currently running 15X7 rally wheels with 4.25" of back space and 245/60-15 tires. That is a pretty big tire to get under a stock 3rd gen. I'm definitely not a tire and wheel expert but by my calculations if he was going to run 15x8's he would need 5.25" of backspace to get the same tire under the car. That may be why your have a smaller rear tire.

 

[bobcatman]

I wanted to start a build thread. I just bought the car and I haven't completely gone through it to see what needs to be done. It's a Bench seat car that was originally Yellow. Someone already swapped in '69 copo 427 engine. Seems like it's got a big street cam. It's my first Big Block car but I have had a couple other Novas. I'm coming directly from a 2021 GT500. I love that car but I needed something to tear into with both hands. I can't do anything to the Shelby without lowering it's value.

I want Fuel Injection, Air Conditioning, the right stances/suspension and insulation/sound deadening.

The rear of the car has 15x8 Rally wheels but for some reason, only a 235 tire with Air Shocks so I'm betting there is something strange going on with the Multileaf and Air shocks. The front alignment is also a little out of spec so that's where I'm going to start.

I don't care about being different or Original.

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Was wondering how you know the 427 is a COPO engine?

 

[Wolvee]

Was wondering how you know the 427 is a COPO engine?

The block numbers and the PO.

 

[Nova Thug]

I’m a 1st gen guy 63/64.. You have come up on what looks to be a really nice 68. I know that there are guys are running 255 out back on 3rd gens. Wheel backspacing is going to be critical.. Also, the shock location is a limiting factor. You might have to relocate the shocks inside the frame rails. I know there are a couple of companies the make upper shock mount relocation brackets.

 

[mullis65]

I got 275/60/15 on back of my 70. Welds with 5 1/5 bs with a 3/8 spacer. No rubbing on anything . Stock shock mounts no trimmed wheel openings etc. Jus sayin

 

[mullis65]

I got 275/60/15 on back of my 70. Welds with 5 1/5 bs with a 3/8 spacer. No rubbing on anything . Stock shock mounts no trimmed wheel openings etc. Jus sayin

 

[Wolvee]

I started ordering parts for the '69. I should be buying things to bullet proof the daily driving ability, like a radiator, electric fan and alternator but I couldn't resist the fun stuff. I'm not going to drive the car until spring I'll probably have that stuff by then anyway.

• Hotchkis 2" drop springs for the front
• Hotchkis 1.5" drop leaf springs
• KYB gas-a-just shocks
• Proform solid subframe bushings.

I wanted to order the entire TVS kits but I haven't sold my Shelby yet and this is what I consider my Christmas budget for the car.

I left off on my last Nova with my Hotchkis springs in the trunk when I sold it so this sort of feels like a redemption. I should have never sold that car.

 

[mullis65]

I always have sellers remorse!! Im on my 3rd 1970! Gonna keep thisun

 

[Wolvee]

Well, I went out to inspect the car a little more today and found the Radiator is too small for a Big Block and they didn't open up or replace the Core Support to fit a BB Radiator. Those are now next on my list.

I was going to do A/C and Fuel injection but it looks like I'm going to spend this first year Fixing all the things that should have been done right. Not a big deal and it was expected. I was just hoping for the best. My only requirements for the car was power Brakes/Steering a Big Block and a solid base.

http://instagr.am/p/Clwcj9UPlOM/

 

[Wolvee]

Had to play musical cars and came out to another dead Battery. lol

 

[Wolvee]

Today, I realized the PO already lowered the front of my '69 somehow. I thought I had looked at all 4 wheels and they were 235/70/15's. By a glance the wheel well to tire ratio looked the same. Someone yesterday told me they "liked my cars stance and its eactly what they wanted theirs to look like." I thought it was weird since I thought it was either stock or maybe just sagging a little. lol

I went out this morning and seen it's just a 27" tire (215/70) with a 28" (235/70) in back. It's certainly lowered already and I can barely fit a pinky finger up between the sidewall and fender. I'm going to have to rethink everything on the car AFTER I pull it apart. I haven't been able to get the car in the garage to start the tear down since my Shelby is still there.
It seems silly now that I couldn't tell the car was lowered but for the last 15 years I have had new Mustangs and it must have reset my brain.

Hopefully I can move the Shelby out of the garage in the next couple days. I just don't want anything to happen to it before someone picks it up.

Hotchkis springs on my 73 and 72.. Trigger warning for the Potato cam circa 2004.

I wish I knew the specs on those Craigslist welds. I loved those things.

 

[sudden_impulse]

Definitely much lower than stock. This is mine with Z28 front springs (they've settled a little), 5-leaf rear, 255/60-15 tires in back and 235/60-15 in front:

 

[Wolvee]

Wow, thanks. Yeah that's a big difference. I'm going to laugh if the Hotchkis 2" drop springs actually raise the car up.

It's chewing me up not being able to tear into this car.

 

[sudden_impulse]

What kind of angle do the lower control arms have to the ground? Did somebody do a disc brake swap with lowering spindles?

 

[Hopy]

Off topic, what is that building your Shelby is parked in front of in the first pictures? I love old buildings.



PS, my wife has a hard time forgetting the price when it comes to parts for my Nova regardless of quality

 

[Wolvee]

What kind of angle do the lower control arms have to the ground? Did somebody do a disc brake swap with lowering spindles?

Well, well, I just spotted this little spring helper gem tucked into the spring and look how close that snubber is to the sub-frame, lol. Those can't be Big Block springs.

Off topic, what is that building your Shelby is parked in front of in the first pictures? I love old buildings.

PS, my wife has a hard time forgetting the price when it comes to parts for my Nova regardless of quality

Eastern State Mental Institution. It's the original building on the property. They kicked me out, lol. (That's where until recently they kept John Hinkley)

 

[sudden_impulse]

Those are definitely lowering springs, probably with the wrong spring rate for a big block. The spindles appear to be stock height.

Time to shop for new springs and a sway bar while you're at it.