68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

First I want to say that I have always owned Chevelles so I'm still learning the Nova stuff. I bought a 70 Nova SS a little over a year ago and as much as I like the looks and driving something other than the Chevelle on occasion this thing rides like a log wagon. I just got it out of storage today and man this thing rides rough. Since I bought it I have replaced the air shocks and 3" aluminum spacers with standard shocks and have also swapped out the "hang'em high" shackles with stock type stuff. I see no difference in ride quality. This does have the original 12-bolt axle with multi leaf springs. Do they all ride this hard in the rear? This car has no traction aids and no sub frame connectors. Pretty much stock. Any suggestions or is this the nature of the beast? Honestly I can't believe the General could sell anything that rides this hard to the general public back in the day so I must be missing something. HELP...

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Your comparing apples to oranges. Compared to a Chevelle, a Nova rides pretty stiff. They were cheap, affordable transportation that a few folks bought with big motors in. That made em fast, but not a very comfy ride. Add big tires, and jack it up, and it would like to beat you to death. But... at 18 in 1970, you didn't much care.

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Sell the Nova, buy another Chevelle [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

Dan

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Schonyenko2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your comparing apples to oranges. Compared to a Chevelle, a Nova rides pretty stiff. They were cheap, affordable transportation that a few folks bought with big motors in. That made em fast, but not a very comfy ride. Add big tires, and jack it up, and it would like to beat you to death. But... at 18 in 1970, you didn't much care. </div></div>

I understand they're a different animal but I actually had one just out of high school with a transplanted 454 in it and I don't remember it riding this hard, but as you said, we really didn't care at that point in our lives so maybe it did and I just don't remember it that way.

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

They are horrible! I'll take it! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Most Novas can be made to ride and handle fairly well...not sure if we are talking BB or SB, but it really doesn't matter. If you are looking for decent street manners I would suggest installing a good set of radial tires with at least 7&quot; wheels, some modern style gas shocks, aftemarket rear sway bar...make sure front sway bar is the correct one or add a better unit...make sure suspension components are in good shape (bushings, ball joints, etc)...you could also &quot;soften&quot; the front coil springs and change the rear leafs, but that is probably not needed...if you don't have power steering..it might be a good addition as well. Of course, I have no idea how important originality is to this discussion...

Our 68 BB car is set up like this and it rides pretty nice and handles great...

wilma

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Sounds like the sliders aren't sliding.
You do have two options (well, three if you count selling it to Marlin as an option).

Convert to mono leaf. Much smoother. But you will sacrifice some traction control. The multileaf springs actually provide some damping action, kind of like an old friction shock (yeah, I am that old - but in fairness, only the Brits were using those after I was born). Problem is, after time, they provide more damping (and less spring) than you want, and you get the rough ride.

Refurbish your springs with new sliders. When I did mine I lubed all of the sliders with a bit of antisieze. Rear moves up and down almost as easily as if it had coil springs.

I am putting some old heavy duty Koni adjustables on the back of mine to make up for the decrease in damping. It also means if I want serious traction, the slapper bars go on.

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Thanks for the input guys. I don't have a problem with the front,just the rear. Maybe I'll pull the rear springs and take a look at what I have and see what's wore out. I am running reproduction F70-14 bias-plys which probably doesn't help matters...

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

My big block Nova (was originally a 6 banger) had mon leafs and a 12 bolt out of a 69 Z28...rode great with cheap Monroe shocks and TA radials. Had the 6 cylinder springs up front and lowering blocks out back [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...eetMachine.jpg

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Bruce,

That side mirror looks like it`s from a Porsche 944 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

Dan

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Dan...youngster....those were all the rage in the 80's-Turbo mirrors. Sometimes the back center area was painted body color. Sheesh!

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/atta...irrors-002.jpg

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Kids!

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Love that car..............

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

I have another question... My car was built the 1st week of October 1969 and has the throttle lever as opposed to a cable. My understanding is they changed to the cable sometime during the 70 model year. I would like to switch to the later cable design but am not sure how the cable routes through the firewall. Does it utilize the same hole that that the pivot bracket uses or do I need to block that hole off and cut a square hole for the cable to snap in to? It must use a completely different pedal also?

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

The change over took place late December/early January...the cable uses a grommet at the firewall and one on a throttle cable bracket attached to the driver's side rear stud of the carb. I believe the pivot bracket mounts differently than the cable...would have to look to be sure...as for gas pedal...I'm inclined to think the pedal may be the same with different bracket on the back side...I can check cars at the shop and confirm, if someone else doesn't jump in.

wilma

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Thank for responding. It looks like Ground Up makes a conversion kit that includes the cable, pedal and carb mount. Probably not concours correct but I'm just looking for something functional at this point. According to the picture the pedal has an additional arm welded to it that accepts the cable and it looks like it still uses the pivot bracket on the firewall. I appreciate you offering to take a closer look though. Troy

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Marlin, Marlin, Marlin ... is it true that he who passes with the most &quot;X&quot; bodies -- WINS?? LOL

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

With all this being said -- what are the suggestions for front springs in a BBC 427ci 70' Nova w/air conditioning. (this old fart needs air down here in San Antonio!!) I prefer stock height or a skoshi higher in the nose -- no dropped suspension.

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Marlin, Marlin, Marlin ... is it true that he who passes with the most &quot;X&quot; bodies -- WINS?? LOL </div></div>

Nah! He doesn't win, he just passes! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With all this being said -- what are the suggestions for front springs in a BBC 427ci 70' Nova w/air conditioning. (this old fart needs air down here in San Antonio!!) I prefer stock height or a skoshi higher in the nose -- no dropped suspension. </div></div>

1969 BB Camaro with a/c...those springs should work well for your 1970 BB a/c Nova..stay cool

**Eaton can provide correct springs for this..you can even order them 1/2&quot; or 1&quot; higher..

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Thanks for the insight -- I'll check that out!!

Taz

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

1969 BB Camaro with a/c...those springs should work well for your 1970 BB a/c Nova..stay cool

**Eaton can provide correct springs for this..you can even order them 1/2&quot; or 1&quot; higher..

Wilma -- you wouldn't happen to have the specs on those 69' Camaro springs ... rate, installed height, etc.

Thanks ... TAZ

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xplantdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My big block Nova (was originally a 6 banger) had mon leafs and a 12 bolt out of a 69 Z28...rode great with cheap Monroe shocks and TA radials. Had the 6 cylinder springs up front and lowering blocks out back [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">Hey Bruce, Was this at the Street Machine Nationals...........in the 80's............ at Pomona??!! Just a wild guess!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] Joe</span></span>http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...eetMachine.jpg </div></div>

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: '69Novajoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xplantdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My big block Nova (was originally a 6 banger) had mon leafs and a 12 bolt out of a 69 Z28...rode great with cheap Monroe shocks and TA radials. Had the 6 cylinder springs up front and lowering blocks out back [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">Hey Bruce, Was this at the Street Machine Nationals...........in the 80's............ at Pomona??!! Just a wild guess!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] Joe</span></span> </div></div> </div></div>


Geez Joe, Ya think? I remember someone else's Nova there as well!! Look familiar? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]

My pic:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...madistance.jpg


And your pic...same show! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...eNationals.jpg

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">Oh yeah, I remember it well!! Wish you still had that Nova though. Thanks for the &quot;flashback!&quot;</span></span>

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
1969 BB Camaro with a/c...those springs should work well for your 1970 BB a/c Nova..stay cool

**Eaton can provide correct springs for this..you can even order them 1/2&quot; or 1&quot; higher..

Wilma -- you wouldn't happen to have the specs on those 69' Camaro springs ... rate, installed height, etc.

Thanks ... TAZ </div></div>

Here ya go...from the camaros.org site


http://www.camaros.org/images/pages/...ring_chart.pdf

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: '69Novajoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">Oh yeah, I remember it well!! Wish you still had that Nova though. Thanks for the &quot;flashback!&quot;</span></span> </div></div>

Me too! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

Thanks!!!! by-the-by ... how do you get the original post to appear in a reply -- can ya' smartin' me up ... LOL

The TAZ

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks!!!! by-the-by ... how do you get the original post to appear in a reply -- can ya' smartin' me up ... LOL

The TAZ </div></div>

Click on the tab that says quote..wilma

Re: 68-72 Nova owners come on in..
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks!!!! by-the-by ... how do you get the original post to appear in a reply -- can ya' smartin' me up ... LOL

The TAZ </div></div>

Click on the tab that says quote..wilma </div></div>

Thanks ... !!