Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

i see you did powdercoat the seat. what are the brackets for?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Cerakote...
https://www.cerakotehightemp.com/fin...lacier-silver/

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Underhood wiring... on-off switch and such. Working on that today.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It looks great. I know Cerakote from their firearms coatings:

https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/gallery/

I never knew there were other applications.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes, their parent NIC Industries also own Prismatic Powders that we buy some powder coatings from.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Seat is once again in and Autumn is checking the fit. Started working on wiring today, dang I'm glad to NOT be working on body panels.
https://i.imgur.com/2zfgyxL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VjPSRNC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KUXeW8u.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/hGDXGYN.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IQPozIQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QkCyx1h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wrzlhNp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yrB0PxR.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

We left early today, 7 days a week is kicking my butt. I made a parts list we'll need this week, we worked on some brackets, wiring, headers and some little things. Relaxing for the rest of the day but I'll make some time up this week.
https://i.imgur.com/RzNEaJK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mvEMayD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/32kOsYB.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bdhGJKK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/RLUO0JA.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

WOW Todd … it could be a 'Show-Car', your attention to detail is stunning.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd, I don’t want to rain on your parade but, ....I don’t know if it’s legal to modify an accepted race seat and I do know that both seats MUST be identical....I know they don’t allow cutting the top of the headrest off anymore.....Carry On.....

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It may not be, but here is my thinking... I feel like we did the best we could given the options. #1 I dont like the plastic seats, they crack/break and can be dangerous in a crash. #2 I would rather have a factory seat but it would be more work even yet (see #3). #3 It's really a challenge to get a very small driver comfortable, safe AND effective in a stick car (with tight belts), if this were an auto none of this extra work ($$$) would be necessary. I believe this is the safest option of all.

I can make the seats perfectly identical, but when the covers are on I really don't think it'll be an issue because they'll look identical. With that being said I have seen some things, even with my extremely limited knowledge of the tech process in this class, I was suprised they passed given the info I've seen here.

I'm putting everything here for everyone to see, honestly, had I not put the photos up no one would have been able to tell it was modified when it was all said and done, I do what I do and have nothing to hide. It's my opinion we should be more concerned with the cylinder heads out there than my kids comfy seat! When this is over and I'm on to my next build (whatever that might be) maybe I will have swapped out a seat or two, but one things for sure... me and my kid will have something the NHRA or anyone on this forum can't change.

With that being said... I want to thank you for helping me out, I need all of it I can get.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you Glenn, I appreciate it.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

This is to charge the battery in the pits?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes sir.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I am looking at all these battery cables in the engine compartment and wondering what the heck is going on here. Why can't we charge the battery without the charging lugs? Why can't we disconnect the battery at the battery without the battery switch? The KISS theory was not used here. When this car rolls across the scales little thi gas like this will all add up, quickly. And the more connections there are, the more possibilities there are for loose connections. But what do I know?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

You have come up with the greatest ideas, the on/off switch, to kill the voltmeter?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It's the gauge light switch.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

got it

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Over simplification has never been my strong suit, in fact I over complicate nearly every aspect of my existence, kind of like this very thread, documenting all this crap with pictures and wasting time. Here's the thing, I do it how I do it, doesn't need to be right in someone elses eyes. I taught my kid how to make panels from a cardboard template last week... I win.
The charging lugs you say, well here's the deal, I never owned a car that needed the battery charged, so off we go to the track, drag out a battery charger and stretch it across my pit to charge the damn battery. Well I trip over the cord twice and I got pissed off, so now guess what... I keep my charger and the cords next to the trailer so I still don't have to pick up my feet when I walk... Aaand the battery still gets charged, just my way of doing it. Plus my wife said I can't spend over $500 per week on the car, and if I don't spend it every week where will I be when I have to appeal to the budget committee for an annual increase? I just made that up, I can spend as much as I want! :D:D:D

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

coupla suggestions here that might make life simpler---First put a volt meter in at the battery---if it gets below a certain level time to recharge the battery that way you can see exactly how much charge is in the battery at all times ---second for charging I took my battery charger and replaced the alligator clips with a 50 amp Anderson connector then fabricated a small bracket and installed another Anderson connector with 10 Gauge wire running to the battery posts---you cannot screw up hooking the charger to the battery its just plug it in AND correct polarity every time-- now you can make that cable from the charger to the battery any length you want ONLY one wire going from the charger to the car, no tripping over extension cords, battery cords or the power cord for the charger ---easy, inexpensive and it works --FED 387

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you sir for the input, great ideas.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I forgot to add I used a bright colored heavy duty extension cord SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT AND NOT BE TRIPPING OVER IT and just cut both plugs off one end is attached to the charger and the other end has the Anderson connector---FED 387

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I thought about putting these down by the bumper but I figured I gotta leave some trick ideas for the next one.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-97550/overview/

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

let me look i used the same set up might still have the parts laying around--will sell them cheap- what I did i the beginning was fasten the females right on to the battery in the trunk then plugged them in--- those are standard welding plugs get them at any welding supply house for probably a lot less than Moroso/Summit/Jegs will sell them for

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Got a few parts in this week but been super busy at work so couldn't get in the shop. We'll be at it again this weekend, last one for a few weeks though as next weekend the motorhome comes out of storage for some work then we're heading to Bristol for a couple weeks.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It's the small things that are so time consuming. built some plug wires and made a few more battery cables, figured I would throw the underhood harness in but as usual nothing is as it seems, so looks like we'll be rewiring that. First time I've actually looked inside the distributor... funky.
https://i.imgur.com/6kalPSo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/19Tn6WL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/kyBDkMV.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Not really into it today but we did manage to get some wiring tied up, clutch linkage in and a few little things. Put it up on jackstands so I could measure the wheels, they looked like 8 inchers to me but even though I don't have a real super way to measure them, looks like they're 9 inchers with a 4.5" backspace. So it's up on the lift collecting dust for the next three weeks, I'll order some more parts so when we get back we'll have more to do. I'll try to check in for an update from Bristol.
https://i.imgur.com/0tOpqlp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8Nhbspz.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Howdy Todd and Autumn,


Simple fix for grubby looking distributor: Easy solution is to wash the rusty parts with household vinegar (weak acetic acid) and it will turn ferrous parts black. Wipe them off and after dry spray them with either some urethane or Bostik Top Coat for Tool Surface Sealant (both are clear and will protect the ferrous surfaces without impeding the magnetic p/u or the reluctor function. Spraying the aluminum won't hurt a thing and also helps to keep down corrosion.;)



The rusty stuff is a result of the high energy sparking in the cap and that generates nitric oxide in the atmosphere within the cap. This is a reaction from ozone in the cap volume (from the duration and energy of the sparks in the cap). Need to check the phasing of the rotor to the cylinder poles. Air circulation will also help, the small breather on the cap is not enough so it helps to sometimes drill a 3/8" diameter hole in the bottom of the distributor. The vertical ribs on the rotor will function as an air pump and allow air movement within the cap which is a plus.
:rolleyes:What you showed in your pic of the distributor is pretty common and although it looks ugly, is easy to fix.:D


Good Luck with the simple fix while you are waiting for other parts.


Regards,
HB2:)
Dissident

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Had this problem with 3 distributors on different cars. Talked to tech at MSD and was told they are aware of this. Suggested I send one to them. Three weeks later it was shipped to my door completely rebuilt. The only part that wasn't new was the aluminum housing, all N/C including shipping. Tough to beat that kind of service.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you, very helpful

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Sounds like great service, I have another one that's almost new, I could use it and send this one back.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I agree, good stuff.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yeah, now you have a spare.

You guys are gonna have a nice car. Can't hurt to take a breather. Making a car right isn't easy.

Autumn, you are learning a LOT.

Todd, this thread is showing what's involved in building a nice car. I would venture to guess that most casual onlookers will learn a lot from your well very documented experience.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you. As always it takes longer that you'd like to get one done, we're just changing so much that it adds tons of time. One word of caution to everyone, it's challenging to build something that you can't find parts for.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Just my two cents......

You might consider upgrading with an Adapt-A-Cap from MSD.

This type cap increases the spacing between the spark plugs contacts inside the cap and helps prevent misfires..

While you are at it drill a 7/16 hole in the cap midway between #1 spark plug and the coil terminal to correct the rotor phasing.

Make sure you get the set with the adjustable rotor to correct phasing after you time it.

Have fun...

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Stock drum brakes in the back? What brakes are you using up front?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks Bob.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It has strange fronts, I thought about putting a set of discs on the rear but just not sure if it's necessary.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It may be necessary in a heads-up race...

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Anyone have any real performance advantage data from the brake swap weight savings?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

we just recently swapped from drum to aerospace rear disk on our amx weight savings was 30lbs total about 20 of which was rotating i can't give any real performance data we changed engines too part of the winter upgrades. But that's roughly the weight savings.