One of ? L89 Nova for sale at Russo and Steele

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Good detective work Ken!!

[Rixls6]

I still don't understand why an open chamber (074) cylinder head is being used on this engine, when all the 1970 big block L78/L89 production engines would have used a closed chamber (842) head and piston combo to come up with the designed 11.25:1 compression ratio?????
What am I missing here???

[markjohnson]

Well, if Brian Henderson of the Supercar Workshop is vouching for this car and it's authenticity, then that's enough for me and a lot of other people. The auction house can and probably will use Brian's inspection and approval to help market the car to interested buyers that might just need that little extra piece of proof.

[bkhpah]

This is what I found when looking at the car for Dave. I met Dave at Legendary to inspect the car. The car was at that time already apart, and the body was in the paint booth. The entire drive train was out of the car. Some of the parts were already apart for restoration. The engine itself was still intact. Dave brought all his documentation along, and he did a great deal of his own research. He had GM documents with the engine code I believe he got from Fran Preve. He had factory doc's like the POP. Peter Klutt among others examined the POP comparing it to other 70' POPs that Klutt had. There was NOTHING to indicate that the POP was not legit. It matched all the other ones on hand that day. From the glue to the fonts, it was for all we could tell authentic to the car. All the other codes matched the car 100%. The engine was on a stand and had yet to be taken apart. The Legendary Camera Crew was on hand to see EXACTLY what we found that day. Legendary's lead guys were present along with Klutt as the engine was taken apart. The pad itself had some light surface rust. There was no evidence of any step down on the pad from a previous decking. The heads were removed to see if indeed the broach marks extended from one side to the other, and they did. From all accounts it looked to be untouched and real. The heads were present and the dates noted. There was nothing to indicate the car was pieced together. The documents looked right, as did the block. Since there is not another pad like this to even match up too, it is impossible to tell what the others look like. Could it have been faked? I guess anything is possible, but it looked right. If it is wrong, it is exceptional. The original parts all had pitting and wear. Nothing was CRISP. I think the car is legit. If you are a serious player on the car, inspect it yourself. Dave came off to me as an honest guy. The car was already deep into the resto at Legendary when I was asked to look at it. There was no turning back at that point...BKH

[wheelhop]

Brian,
thanks for your insight. I don't know much about Novas but what a lot of guys seem to have trouble with involving this car is the O74 heads. Were they on there when you looked at the motor?

[Pulnaway]

Why, are you a buyer? Brian...a well respected person and restorer has looked at the car/ motor and in his opinion it is real! I make no claim to the cars being legit or not! Why is it so hard for people to ask questions in a respectful maner? I think it would be great to have the answers to the head # question, but it should be asked in a respctful maner if you want a responce. I bet that if this thread was worded better, he would still be here answering questions. Who Here is the person to varify this car? If Dave gives you the information are you the person? Since Brian vouches for this car and he is a noted restorer and member of the site, is he not good enough? If I were a buyer for this car I for one would not mis a beat calling Brian!


[ QUOTE ]
This is what I found when looking at the car for Dave. I met Dave at Legendary to inspect the car. The car was at that time already apart, and the body was in the paint booth. The entire drive train was out of the car. Some of the parts were already apart for restoration. The engine itself was still intact. Dave brought all his documentation along, and he did a great deal of his own research. He had GM documents with the engine code I believe he got from Fran Preve. He had factory doc's like the POP. Peter Klutt among others examined the POP comparing it to other 70' POPs that Klutt had. There was NOTHING to indicate that the POP was not legit. It matched all the other ones on hand that day. From the glue to the fonts, it was for all we could tell authentic to the car. All the other codes matched the car 100%. The engine was on a stand and had yet to be taken apart. The Legendary Camera Crew was on hand to see EXACTLY what we found that day. Legendary's lead guys were present along with Klutt as the engine was taken apart. The pad itself had some light surface rust. There was no evidence of any step down on the pad from a previous decking. The heads were removed to see if indeed the broach marks extended from one side to the other, and they did. From all accounts it looked to be untouched and real. The heads were present and the dates noted. There was nothing to indicate the car was pieced together. The documents looked right, as did the block. Since there is not another pad like this to even match up too, it is impossible to tell what the others look like. Could it have been faked? I guess anything is possible, but it looked right. If it is wrong, it is exceptional. The original parts all had pitting and wear. Nothing was CRISP. I think the car is legit. If you are a serious player on the car, inspect it yourself. Dave came off to me as an honest guy. The car was already deep into the resto at Legendary when I was asked to look at it. There was no turning back at that point...BKH

[/ QUOTE ]

[Pulnaway]

I do want to add that the whole reason I like this site is because there is alot of musclecar knoledge here. We all would like to know when a car is real or not, but it must be done with respect if you want to get to the bottom of it. Why would someone not talk with Brian? He is liked and respected and has no vested interest in the car.

[Lynn]

Hi Dave:

You probably don't remember me, but I sat at the table with you at the Supercar reunion in 2007. Your car is beautiful. Good luck with the sale. Hopefully you can shed some light on your request for 074 heads. I know I have three sets of heads for my Z/28, all dated correctly, so I would understand you buying extra parts.

When the engine was disassembled, did it have 074 heads or 842 heads?

Thanks for posting.

[NOVAL89]

Lynn,

the car had 074's on it not 842's...Yeah I wanted to have an extra set to put on the car to drive around with and show. I didnt want the original heads to blow or crack and the snowflake was worn off. Obviously the value and rarity of my car are the heads, so If I blew the original ones then that would be it. I saw the ad for the 074's so I called to get an extra set. the original heads were on the car when Brian and Klutt examined it.

Dave

[Pulnaway]

Brian, Can you verify that in you opinion the heads and intake had never been removed? ie original headgaskets and such? I dont think anyone disbelieves that the car is a factory bigblock car. The question revolves around the heads as being factory installed. I know when replacing heads the all surfaces have to be cleaned leaving marks. Were there any such marks? Any original paper showing the heads as being factory? If there is any paper showing this can we see it or the part of it showing the factory details. Being that the car is for sale I would think the the paperwork would be key.