"Plain Jane" 1970 Nova Build

[NorCam]

I ran a low compression pump gas 565 Dart Big M in my last 55 Chev that made 732/713 with a T56 in behind it. Out back was a mini tubbed 4 link 9" and the car was tied in with an 8 point cage which helped stiffen it up. Fun street car that ran through the gears in OK fashion if you were banging on it...but clearly, the trans didn't like the power. I had to modify the tunnel for that case to fit too, and now that I am building another 55 with a little less power, I have gone with the TKX 5-speed which really is the best of best from what Jody Haag told me.

Rows like a 4 gear when you just want to cruise, but can bang gears better than the T56 while standing up to about 700hp with no problem. I'll have this one on the road real soon and can't wait to try it out. Running a McLeod hydraulic clutch on this one and a Quick Time bell housing.

[napa68]

After getting all of the Corvette distractions behind me (at least for now), I can get back on the Nova. While the runaway temp issue had improved, it still was not right. After consulting with a few different people as well as some internet sleuthing, I decided on installing steam vent lines / 4 corner cooling through the intake manifold. As mentioned before, the siamese bore blocks can be a little tricky to cool, to say nothing for getting the air bled out properly.

So, I tore into it. Pulling the intake, drilling the rear on the intake for pipe threads, installing the fittings, and then piping the hoses to the front of the intake. I also installed a spacer between the intake and thermostat housing to relocate the temp sender. Additionally, I drilled a small relief / bleed hole in the 160 degree T stat to help with bleeding the air.





The cooling system bled out easily, and maintains 180 degrees in the shop with no real air flow.

Of course, no good project is considered complete without a road test.....


I am happy to report the car maintains 160-170 degrees on the road, will creep up to 180 at a stop sign. In all, a success!