Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It's amazing how quickly the time goes.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Weekend update! Got a nice chunk of work time this long weekend. Caltrac bars are in, bled the brakes, did a little more wiring, belts are in, radiator in for the final time, overflow tank, fuel tank is in for the final time, pump is wired and we started with some of the body filler panels.
https://i.imgur.com/QlTyPPr.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7dgehUn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/J96zVYr.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1jx6sv0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xUcRLx6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ri4yuFm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KPKeeeX.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Tell me about that four post lift Todd.

Oh yeah...appears they may have it in stock... https://www.morris4x4center.com/gran...olt-wheel.html

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd,

Very nice craftsmanship!! Not a trait most people have, nor is it one that everyone is willing to pay for either!

A suggestion and maybe you have not finished it yet. Install a ground strap from the filler on the fuel cell to the cell mounting tab. Not every tech person is going to point it out, but they could. On my car, I have a fuel cell identical to yours and tech asked me to add a ground strap at the filler because it has a gasket between it and the tank. His concern was, we all use plastic fuel jugs, and they can have a static discharge. The rubber gasket could isolate the filler when pouring fuel in and have a higher potential for a static discharge. Sounds like BS, but if it makes my car safer why not.

On an aluminum cell, straps are not needed. The tabs are fine.

What are you doing on wiring the 2 step and line lock?

Sean

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I think the lift was this one... https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com...ark-8plusp.htm
They have a shipping distribution warehouse close to me so I went and picked it up and no shipping charge.
I'll call today on the quick release, thanks.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you, I do have a ground under the tank. Will it be enough or does it need to run to the top?
The line lock is wired to the button on the shifter and the 2-step is wired thru the clutch pedal.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd,

My ground strap goes to the top and is a ring terminal under the filler plate with one of the filler plate bolts going through it. Each division has different tech items that they look for, or suggest.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Your picture of the cal-tracks show that you might be violating a rule from the "Traction Bars" section of the stock rules. There is a line that says "Traction bars and/or mounting brackets (to rear axle housing) may not be lower than lowest edge of rear-wheel rim". It might be the perspective of the picture, but it looks like the bottom of the cal-track bar mount and heim extend below the bottom of the wheel. I was warned about this myself a number of years ago on my car by a tech guy and allowed to run but "fix it by next time". It was because of spacers that I had used between the axle perch and spring to adjust the ride height. Probably no one will pay any attention these days, but you never know!

Great build thread.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you Bill, it certainly does look as if the lower bracket is indeed below the wheel itself. There's a spacer and a wedge plate under the axle, I could remove the spacer and that would probably rectify the issue. I'll have a good look at it when i'm down there next time.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I wanna say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my partner in crime! My noise maker is 18 today!
https://i.imgur.com/0Io9xJb.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ggsjCSE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/TYCRw62.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mS0E8Lb.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MltGjGO.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

i'll bet when the phone rings at their house it's not for Dad????--Fed 387

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Nope :eek:

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Sister says "gotem!" hahahahah
https://i.imgur.com/7CK0g3V.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Happy Birthday Autumn!!
Great job you two are doing on this project Todd.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks Keith, looking forward to seeing you guys again.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Good stuff! Happy 18th to you, Autumn.:) -Al

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

This has got to be the most total build I've ever seen. I wish I had somebody take me under their wing when I was 18 like this. My kids weren't that interested in racing after they went with me a few times, but they both have developed into wonderful young adults with excellent lives and careers. Nothing like mutual interests and goals to give life direction.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks Al!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks Greg, We really had no intention of doing this, just sorta happened (lost my mind for a minute), but we've had big fun so far. I've been watching Hot Rod Drag Week online this week and really miss that event. Might have to build another one for that someday. Unfortunately, due to drag racing, my kids may be doomed to a life of cool cars and poverty...:D

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Just tell them we are spending your inheritance right now lol... :p

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Autumn will be out of town this weekend so I'll be forging ahead alone. Few more parts are showing up and once again Groff Motorsports has been on point getting us parts. I decided I couldn't live without a slip collar on the distributor... opted for black.
https://i.imgur.com/bDxdJSH.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/GroffMotors...PnkWn3Fmkp8bhQ

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I'm just going to hand them thousands of time slips. :D:D:D:D:D

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Since Autumn was gone this weekend I thought I would get everything ready to fire when she got back. All did not go as planned, cannot control the fuel pressure so the tank and return line is back out. I did however get the new distributor set up and measured for the slip collar height, primed the engine and changed the oil, put the carb on, made the last fuel line, made the tank vent and put the new plugs in. engine turns over great with the new battery and as I was checking for fuel leaks found I couldn't get the fuel pressure below 10psi.
https://i.imgur.com/QoTZTbR.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1bcDMvL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9mL3WmD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/e1g3oTw.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I had the same problem with my fuel regulator from aeromotive and it turned out to be defective.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Also had trouble with one of their regs. Took it apart and found a small alum chip from the machining process. After removal, everything was fine.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks guys, I'll give it a look see tomorrow.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I believe this is the one I am using on the Camino... https://www.jegs.com/i/Aeromotive/027/13304/10002/-1

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps120utjmh.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Sirs and Ladies,

Inside a small pressure gauge can be a scary exposure to dangerous possibilities for race cars or any vehicle that vibrates. The flimsy Bourdon tube is very thin and filled with fuel. If vibration cracks it, a leak occurs, requiring an adequate fire extinguisher immediately handy! I do not know why NHRA still allows these things used on fuel systems under the hood.This comment to you all is only meant as a SAFETY advisory and not intended to hijack the thread, but it seems to me that it is salient in that we have all followed this build with interest and Autumn and so many others deserve the best and safest route to their best experience on the racetrack.


Now you can return to the regularly scheduled programming.


Regards,
HB2:)
Dissident

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I've never personally had an issue with one, I do however see your point. Many race car fires originate from the fuel system.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

[QUOTE=HandOverFist;572964]I believe this is the one I am using on the Camino... https://www.jegs.com/i/Aeromotive/027/13304/10002/-1

Rich, I don't think this is a regulator issue per se, These huge volume pumps will over run the regulator if the return side is inadequate. I believe I made a mistake and should have run a -10 return instead of a -8. This fuel system is overkill x10.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

HB2, Is this the safer setup?
https://www.autometer.com/2-5-8-fuel...ak-valley.html

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

[QUOTE=Nmbr1GMfan;572982]I was just wondering what the rated psi range is for that regulator.

Probably one of the safer alternatives is to mount the gauge outside of the engine compartment like the Camaro. Handy to verify pressures as well while making a pass.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psrom9c22j.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

[QUOTE=HandOverFist;573019]Rich, the pressure window is 2-20 for the regulator. Honestly, I may take the underhood gauge off and plug that outlet after the initial running. We are adding a racepak at the end of the year and will log fuel pressure.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I think that return line is a -8 -----you can adapt a -10 line to the -8 but you are still going thru a -8 outlet--FED 387

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Mine is a -10, I adapted it to an -8.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd,
Here is a suggestion before re-plumbing the return. Disconnect the return line at the regulator and place a short section of hose in a fuel jug below the regulator. Plug the return line going to the fuel cell. Run the pump and check the regulator pressure. If no change then the return line size is not the problem. Have you increased the regulator setting and backed it back out? Did it change pressure? Chances are it's something else and not the return line size.

I run an Aeromotive A1000 pump, Supply is -10, return -8. With my carbureted stocker it had no issue being able to bypass fuel and maintain 7 PSI with the engine not running.

Sean

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It's already all apart so we will soon see. I think the flow rate between the two pumps (A1000 - A3000) is significant enough to assume an -8 isn't ideal here (I've used a -6 return with an A1000 @55psi 1:1 boost referenced). I also know a restrictive return will cause this, and I have yet to find any other issues in the system. :)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Please indulge me as I have some questions about this by-pass return type fuel system.

What is the pressure from the pump to the regulator? This would be called the "system pressure" and that would oppose acceleration of the vehicle.
Looking at your plumbing, I was confused on the connections. Looks to me as if the thing is not correct, but I may be totally full of soup.
Thanks in advance.

Regards,
HB2
Dissident

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

HB, I do not know what the pressure is to the regulator, haven't checked it. I know the regulator is confusing, I also second guessed it. The front middle -10 connection is the inlet, the -10 connection on the bottom is the return and the four -8 connections on either side of the inlet are the regulated outlets.