1969 nova questions
 

I've Recently purchased a 69 nova 4 speed car that i believe was a big block four speed car and possibly and L78 originally.

69 69 cortez silver 731 interior, no gauges

Some identifiers the car has are as follows

Correct big block core support

Correct cross member

Single 3/8th fuel line (11427 car not a 6cyl as they also came with single fuel line no return)

ZD code radiator (big block 4sp Radiator)

Correct power brake booster and 69 calipers with single groove rotors which i believe to be correct.

BS Code 12 bolt (3.31 posi) 1207G1 date

Correct heater box outlet.

837 Alt with 8m19 date code Car is April built

block and transmission are out of a 1966 Chevelle EF code (360hp 4 speed)

No paperwork, car was sold new at oaklanddon Chevrolet in Indianapolis according to ncrs and its official build date was 4/16/1969.

My question is about the driveshaft stripe color, i believe that the drive shaft is original to the car and has what i believe to be an orange, blue and white stripe and was curious of what this could mean as i dont have build sheet.

Pics attached

That's a good looking Nova :beers:

This^^^^^

Very nice Nova you have. Check the date code on those rotors, 69 Novas should have the two-piece style rotors. The reason I say this is, I have a Jan. built 70 BB Nova that still retains the original two-piece rotors. I believe they started the one-piece rotors during later production of 1970. Love the color, keep the pics coming.

Maybe you already know this, based on your question, but the stripes correspond to the part number for this specific application.

Each of the various driveshaft part numbers would have a different stripe color or configuration in order for the installer to quickly identify the right part, as called out on the build sheet. The stripe colors were used in lieu of a broadcast/pick code. You may recognize Broadcast/pick codes as used on other components like engines (ie, "TAB or TAC", etc), transmissions, rear axles, radiators; Any place where there was quite a bit of part number proliferation.

I do not know the specific part number your colors represent, if that is what you are asking.

I do have one page of a chart for Chevy pickups, to give you a flavor of what the part release looks like (attached).

The stripes were added by the component supplier (Parma, or Dana, or whomever) right after balancing. While the part was still chucked up it was turned by hand and the brush held near enough to slop some paint on the tube.

K

the car does retain its two piece rotors

this is great info and helpful as i come from Oldsmobile's so alot of this is new.

I see now that the driver side has a two-piece rotor, and the passenger side has the one-piece. If you still have the other two-piece rotor and is in good shape, I would reinstall it.:beers:

I'd be on hunt for a L78

The default rear gear for an L78 was BT (3:55) and the L34 was BS (3:31) although anything could be ordered. Single fuel line is interesting though... Believe there are some L34's that may have come through with single fuel lines, may be wrong on that

I thought the 3.31 was interesting, single fuel line and correct date coded 837 deep groove alt...I've tracked history back to 1973 but it tuns cold after that. anyone could've put the alt on, however the single fuel line had for sure never been off.

Id still be interested in finding a documented 68-70 L78 4 speed.

There always seems to a plentiful supply of orig 69 and 70 Nova L78 blocks on Ebay and Marketplace, keep your VIN handy, you may get lucky.?

Wonder if the car had the ticking fuel line where the GM fix was to cut the line and put in a rubber hose to stop the noise.

69 BB Nova...
 

The 3.31 gear is unusual....assembly date for rear seems a little early for an April car?

Does the rear look like it is original..??

Cortez Silver is a great color...car looks very nice.

I'm guessing you've already take the top of the back seat out to look for the broadcast sheet.

I have been looking at 3rd Gen Nova driveshaft stripes for a while. There are not enough examples to give a definitive conclusion. There are several known stripe patterns.

In 1968 there are seven driveshaft service part numbers and three yoke types with multiple part numbers.

In 1969 there are three driveshaft service part numbers and three yoke types.

In 1970 there are the three 1969 driveshaft service part numbers plus one new one for 1970 plus the three yoke types.

On this site there are reports of three 1969 L78 T. H. 400 (M40) driveshaft combinations. Does this mean there are multiple 4 speed stripe patterns?

The sparse number of broadcast sheets doesn't help.

In theory is there are five driveshaft / yoke combinations:

Nova (exc. T.H. 400) w/3-Spd, P.G., 4-Spd Non SS
Nova (exc. T.H. 400) w/T.H. 350 Non SS
Nova w/2-Dr. (T.H. 350), w/4BC (350)
Nova w/4-Spd. (350, 396) w/special 3-Spd, SS w/4Spd
Nova w/T.H. 400 (396)

None of this helps with the question without more examples.

In 1969 the 4 Speed had an early and late version. Your 69 Nova is late according to the VIN. I would just put back what you found. What you see as white could be pink or tan.

Greg

for what its worth, here is the original driveline in my documented 24,000 mile '69 L78/M40 Nova before and after I restored it.

Cool Nova! Love the Cortez Silver!

69 Nova...
 

That white L78 car is gorgeous...one of my favorite colors for the Nova.

:beers:

I don't think the rear has ever been out, car shows 39k and it had it original calipers and all of is Sheetmetal. Correct sending unit as well. December date does seem early for an April car but I've seen it in at least two other cars. It still has the posi traction additive plastic tag on the fill plug,

Thanks for Sharing, still looking for a documented 69 L78 4 speed!

I have your HOOD, in Auburn, WA

A great looking Nova. Silver is the best. Keep up the nice work and the pictures coming too. Those 396-375 Engines were quick.

unless you gonna be out this way sometime soon we probably wont be able to get together. still looking for one

Do you have the original upper radiator mount and fan?
rare parts if orig.