Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Makes good sense. You'll be "consultant" when she and her kids race it.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Is there a clutch safety switch and/or a neutral safety switch?

Watched a co-worker start a manual-trans Ford from under the hood years ago. He failed to take it out of gear first, and when it started and leaped forward, it knocked him to the ground, facing the car, with his head at bumper height, with his head up against a concrete wall. Fortunately, each end of the front bumper caught a rollaway tool box on each end and stopped the car about an inch from his nose. Scared the crap out of all of us.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

When I converted mine over to a stick I thought about something like that happening. If it is running and I am not in it, the rear tires are off the ground.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Nobody runs a switch because you don't start the car with the clutch pedal depressed, you have to be very careful.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Somewhere in the rule book it states that a competent person is to be in the driver's seat anytime the engine is running.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Where would you find one of those in this sport. LOL

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

In the grandstands ... LOL.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

You mean to tell me with my Automatic I have to run a Neutral safety switch but anyone with a Stick can get away with not running any type of "In Gear" shut off to the starter...?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Listen, I'm not here to discuss, argue or debate NHRA, politics, religion or anything of the sort. Check the rulebook for whatever but find another thread to beat a horse or make your own thread. I appreciate any criticism and help from everyone, BUT I don't really want to turn this build into a pizzing contest. Thanks.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Didn't do squat this week, took a little time away from cars. Been ordering some parts on an as needed basis (I can't think beyond my nose) so we got a few bit this week so we can proceed over the weekend. Back at it Saturday AM.
https://i.imgur.com/OvWgVWd.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Looks like some ENGINE parts, ENGINE parts are good, that means the powerplant will be going in the car soon.

Very Nice Build, you should be very proud when it is completed, especially, since you and your daughter did it together....

Congrats!!!!


Gary Merrick
3522 Stock

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Gary, go back 1 page and check it out (pages are moving quickly), we set it in last weekend. Yes sir we're a great team and it's been a blast so far!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Set the intake on, water pump is on, shifter is in (maybe temporarily), worked on the seat a little, worked on clutch linkage and test fit the headers. Seems like the headers fit pretty well, I'll mark them for o2 bungs, pull them back off, get them welded in and coat the headers. Back at it tomorrow. Here are a few photos...
https://i.imgur.com/mZZYFCs.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yIhD69Y.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QTy0jab.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/A4LoWvo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MBWPYf0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FfQ9Y8s.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DDXsJjY.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Needed some hardware to continue with the seat but won't be able to get it till later so no seat. We got the headers marked for o2 bungs and pulled back out, then we pulled the shifter back out. Finished up the day working inside mounting the electronics panel, moving the switch panel overhead to the rollbar and ran wires through the headliner. Little dash work too.
https://i.imgur.com/cfaTmHe.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nN42QNu.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VpjPGlE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/W9rqn2E.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Worked on a few things just for a bit today, New clutch switch (dropped the other one and broke it), got a cheap knock out punch set to cut some holes in the firewall, worked on the seat and the carpet around the shifter.
https://i.imgur.com/6dXedV2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/57P0w0k.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/aWuk7yX.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8Q7uXNK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SDURA9z.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

You might want to check out the clutch pedal switch Bickel and others sell. It is an OMRON brand roller switch and is very durable and adjustable.i bought one on eBay.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Nice build ..... what is the big bolt with the wavy washers for ?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Making holes.
Pete

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks James, This is a nice Omron switch and it works great, I just dropped it and it cracked so I bought 2 new ones so I had a spare. I'll look into the roller switch for the future.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes, as mentioned the "wavy washer" is what was removed, or punched from the firewall.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I've been trying to figure out how to set the switch up in my car....

What's the deal with yours, the contact hits the floor when the pedals depressed all the way?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

There's a plate welded onto the pedal that holds the switch so the button contacts the pedal stop with the pedal itself. I'll get you some detailed photos and drop them in your build thread.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Something to think about: with the switch activating the 2-step when the pedal hits the stop, I've seen tach replays where the rpms jump before the clutch engages. To prevent that, I mounted my switch from the column so the pedal arm hits it at the top of the travel and wired it normally closed. I just had to teach myself not to leave my foot on the pedal after launch...made a few passes in the beginning where the thing wouldn't rev past 5800! Haha

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Good idea.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Score! I thought I had some filters somewhere, took about 30 minutes but I found them hiding in a box.
https://i.imgur.com/RUHejwD.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Last week didn't go as planned, meant to get the seat finished and the headers done... didn't do either, too busy at work, so the weekend work plans were upended. Also did very little Saturday so Sunday we decided to do sheetmetal, which I wasn't looking forward to and after a day of it, I hate it even worse. Started out painting the cowl then on to sheetmetal.
https://i.imgur.com/zhVd87X.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bcmwUyq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xtR9GLg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VQqjlom.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KvbzlDY.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Looking good. Starting to look like a car again.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes, but I think we'll work on something else next weekend other than sheetmetal, after one day I need a break. For some reason it frustrates me :eek::eek::eek:

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes it can be a very frustrating task as each piece affects the next in multiple ways. Unless everything is marked/scribed or drilled with a locating hole it is a very complex jigsaw puzzle.Take your time and it will come together.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Oops...

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

We'll get it, pretty sure it won't be perfect but it's a team sport and we may have to take a loss at panel alignment hahahaha.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes sir it is. We were concerned also, contact with some guys from the forum convinced me of two things, #1 contact someone from NHRA tech, and #2, in a roll over accident this would not be safe as she was too far forward to get any benefit from the main hoop. The decision was made at that point to cut out the existing bar (even the portion that I had paid to have changed 4 weeks prior) and put a cage in it. I'm obviously also bracing the seat to the main hoop behind the seat, but I'm also making struts to run forward from seat to floor for added seat mounting strength.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I'd rather put some part of my anatomy in a vise and t-i-g-h-t-e-n it, than hang sheet metal..... :eek: -Al

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

That's why my wife sold the vice at a yard sale :D:eek::eek::D

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

We snuck down and put in some work today. Gotta get the headers done this week so punched some o2 holes and started to disect the seat side. Although I think she would have been ok with the seat, she looked as if she was working too hard to get a good line with the shifter.
https://i.imgur.com/rKBANGL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DvoAh7I.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SbIcO6W.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eRBpgek.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VWkwI15.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Autumn took the collecters to a friend today and he welded the bungs in. We also got the seat all back together and welded up.
https://i.imgur.com/0t9n7oH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3L6xxEF.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Pipes are coated.
https://i.imgur.com/GhsdMcc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PPRBKFB.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Tonight it was making templates... then turning them into brackets... then making said things colorful.
https://i.imgur.com/rvTJPOI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lhcaO1s.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8UElJga.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Wow- the coating on the headers is beautiful. What is it?