Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

Did you see it Marlin? What were your thoughts? I didn't want to be too specific(sp?) as I don't know if the owner wanted that known.
Did you ask him about documentation? And finally was he from NY?
Thanks, just curious.
Rich.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

Sounds promising Enoch....wow, black too! . Please bring on whatever info you can....if true, it's sure a great topic to get to the bottom of! . The dogs are hungry and may be out hunting for their own dinner already? ~ Pete

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

BK and I were all over it. The heads were... different, but not sure why, it was just strange. There was nothing on the car to prove L89, I don't think it has the original block, but it was a code 10 car. In my opinion, it looked like a pair of dated heads were installed https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif Might sound strange, but my buddy Neal in NY put a set of NOS, dated '68, L89 heads on his '68 Nova for the pure stock race in Michigan. So, if he ever sold that car, the next owner might think that they were original.

I think part of the problem is that we assume that the engine code of an L89 Nova will be the same as an L89 Camaro - would make sense since they share the same L78 codes. But, without seeing one in person, we don't know that for sure. So, there are some cars with the L78 engine code, but with dated L89 heads - does that mean that it's an L78 or an L89 that they didn't bother using the L89 suffix code for? Most of us would lean towards that situation being an L78 - unless there was paperwork to show an L89, of which we have seen none https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

I would assume a 1970 L89 Nova would have a proprietary engine code, possibly the same as that of the L89 Chevelle. I have never seen what I would consider a factory built piece, and don't believe that any were sold. I wish one would surface!

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

For 1970 the Factory only built 18 of the L-89 Chevelles and that's it.
I've seen two authentic still standing today,with the CKT/CKP Prefix.
I really believe that no other Chevrolet car got Aluminum heads on the Assembly line in 1970.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

I am going to get riffed but thats ok.

there is a very well known restoration shop currently restoring a documented L89 nova. I dont beleive this shop is in the bussiness to lie...

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

I will give you my opinion FWIW. I think there may have been 68, or 69 L89s, but no 70s. I think for some reason that novas had no specific suffix number for it. The nbr being the same as an L78. That's why you can't find any by using the suffix code. The proof will be on the window sticker, or dealer order if by nothing else the price. Al heads were around 400.00 more than cast iron. I have seen a dealer order like that, but not the car.
Now, all that said, I could be wrong. Howie, and me are both old. Seen both L89 camaros, and chevelles back in the day, but no novas. Never even any urban ledgends about one. But I owned a Yenko back then, and never saw or heard of a copo either. So who knows. I'm still hopein. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

Howie said he flipped at least one. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smirk.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

Sounds similar to our Y-Camaro...the original owner remembers it having aluminum heads when he first had it (had to warranty them because he dropped a valve) and we've had folks come up out of the blue at shows that remembered the car back in the day that said they remembered the car having aluminum heads on it in the beginning...but everyone says no aluminum headed L72s...https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
 

No your wrong!! I flipped three of them!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif