Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

New guy to the site and by no means do I consider myself a serious collector (yet). I’m drawn to 70 Chevys; currently owning a beautiful 70 Nova SS clone and just bought what I hope be a very nice; matching 70 L78 Nova. No protecto plate or build sheet so I’ve spent several hours decoding everything within reason. Not having the time to travel half way across the country to inspect it myself, I located a Concours show judge/appraiser to inspect the car on my behalf before purchasing it (who rates it as a 950 point car and his guess is that it’s all “born with” and date correct). The car is being shipped sight unseen as we speak. I’m requesting anyone to scrutinize the following codes to further enlighten me, make me a fool or point out potential discrepancies. In return I promise to report back to you truthfully with several pic’s when it the car arrives.


Trim Tag:
8T70 11427WRN273410
1-Chev
14-Nova
27-2 Door Sport Coupe
WRN- Willow Run, Michigan plant
273410- Sequence built
TR 733-Black vinyl bucket
48 B PNT (paint code)
48- Forest Green
B- Vinyl top
04B (build code)
04-April
B- 2nd week

VIN# 114270W309435
Eng. Block # 3969854
Eng. Block Date Code: B 20 70
Block Pad #: T0318CTY, 10W309435
Heads: 3964291 rt. F69 left F109
Carb #; 4492
Ex. Manifolds: 3916178 3909879
Intake #; 3963569
Trans. #: 449, 70, CF
Water Pump #: 3969811 OER
Battery: Delco Remy R-59 OCV 10
Rear Axle# CBS 04 15 G 2 Carrier number 3968341
Alt. #- 1100837 0A6 (Jan 6 1970)
Dist. #- 1112000 0B24 (0=1970, B24= Feb. 24)

One thing that strikes me as odd is the rear axle: I’ve been told by more than one Nova-Nut that the trim tag may have been issued early in this case and that it is quite likely the correct axle; especially considering that Willow run is 1 hr away from Detroit.

Have at it gents:

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

Car was listed on Cars On Line....here's the link:

http://www.cars-on-line.com/43450.html

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

Saw this car on cars-on-line,seems to be a very nice car,can't go wrong with Forest Green.Good luck and enjoy.

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

There should be two more codes on the bottom row of the TT, a single letter and then a 3 or 4 digit number.

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

Welcome
Double check your TH400 suffix,as they were unique to the L-78's.
Is your cars CON VIN# stamped into the drivers side horizontal pan rail?
Although the one your showing now with a March 26th assembly date is possible for your cars timeline,the CF suffix was used in LS-3 402/330HP & L-34 402/350HP engines...get the serial # off the al.tag too..
CW was the highshift point TH400 for your car.
Is your #854 block a 4 bolt main also?
Are your Ex.Manifolds tapped for A.I.R?
Curious what your SS wheel assembly dates are,as they were an extra option on the Nova and not automatically included with the Super Sport packg.

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

Good luck with your Nova...my first L78 car was Forest Green also(36 years ago https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif).....3 things jump out:

CBS coded rear would have to be special ordered...the default rear axle for all the L78 cars was a 3.55 ratio and posi was an option, though most folks ordered it.

Next the trans code should be CW for the special high shift point TH400...the CF coded trannys were used in Novas, but I think the CF units were used with the L34 motors...

last item is the date on the cylinder heads...June of 69 seems a little early for a March 1970 assembly.

Please share some photos when you get her home...sounds like a nice car.

wilma

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

A 3 085

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

http://www.cars-on-line.com/43450.html


Click the above link to Cars Online.....there's a slide show with many pictures.


I don't care if the car is 100% correct or not....this Nova is a very very nice car!!! Congrats on your purchase and enjoy it!!

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight unseen
 

Pardon my ignorance on "high Shift point TH400".

Thx

Re: Bought 70 L78 Nova w/ following codes sight un
 

The L78 396s could rev higher and develop HP at a higher rpm than the 350 HP 396, so the special TH400 (code "CW") would shift at a higher rpm to take advantage of this capability (i.e., with the car left in "D" the tranny shifted at a higher rpm).