Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

https://i.imgur.com/xZ4fjB6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1NemY1n.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

https://i.imgur.com/HAtNHPp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0V2oISz.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd I absolutely love the fact that your daughter gets right in there and works on the car, keep the pictures coming!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

She gets right after it, so much can be learned as a driver knowing how your equipment operates. Lots of pictures to come, no racing for about 7 weeks so we are going to hit it very hard till we head to Gainesville for the New Years Nationals. Pulling the rear apart and cutting the front sub frame out next, Then lots of powder coating.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Great thread Todd, looks like a fun car, and your daughter driving with the stick, the cool factor is off the charts !!!!!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

We're having a blast.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Love what you and your family are doing, Todd. :)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you sir! Gonna hit it hard again this weekend and see if we can get it ready to strip the paint. We have till D2 Orlando 2018, gonna be a thrash!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Some unexpected stuff pulled me away but we got some work done today. Steering column and some more interior bits are out, fuel system and lines are out, master cyl and all brake lines are out, driveshaft loop is out as well as the front subframe.
https://i.imgur.com/EfYru5k.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rznhIRi.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/i0SZEkb.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Snuck down to the shop this afternoon and pulled the rear apart. I'm no rear end expert but a funny thing, no crush sleeve or spacer on the pinion???
https://i.imgur.com/iLJeZsA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IEUgtlo.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Have really enjoyed following you and your daughter's build.:D

However, in the vernacular concerning the pinion...."That ain't right".:confused:

Best of luck on your adventures with the build.:)

Regards,
Dissident

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd, I haven't used a spacer or crush sleeve for decades. Some red Loctite on the pinion shaft where the front pinion bearing goes is what I do. Acetone or brake cleaner to degrease the pinion shaft and bearing race. -Al

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

How does the large pinion bearing survive the load from the ring gear without the collar?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you Alan. I figured there would be an explanation being that everything looks to be in good shape. When I took it apart to instal the new yoke, the pinion nut was loctite'ed, seemed tight but I did notice the pinion spun with very little resistance.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Using red Loctite as Alan described is very effective.

If you are anticipating "field work", i.e. changing ring and pinions at the track, a fitted sleeve spacer makes for quick service. Sand the pinion where the large bearing fits to make it easy to remove and install the bearing on the new pinion using a brass drift and hammer. I have prepared by fitting everything in the shop and been able to change ratios in a 12 bolt at the track in 30 minutes. (Wear gloves! The pieces are awfully hot after a run.)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thank you Dwight.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Couldn't resist at least getting started, so I had the subframe blasted today. Gonna maybe squeak in a little quality car time this holiday weekend.
https://i.imgur.com/CMZeIsx.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Had to spend some time today cleaning, what a mess. We got to it though and got everything off the firewall, dash is all apart, pedals out, headliner out, wiring is gone. Started pulling the guts out of the doors too, we'll get some more done this weekend.
https://i.imgur.com/UeGUuDa.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0BU6tSx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MCbH1eF.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

U-joints are pressed out, ball joints are pressed out, CalTracs torn down, leaf springs torn down. Off to powdercoat.
https://i.imgur.com/G7cSDWy.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Started the day dragging more parts to the loft. Pulled the fenders apart, window trim off and started removing windows and doors.
https://i.imgur.com/MK9uVVA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CwufNVF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/hEHDDd0.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Hey Todd,
Do you have a picture of the tunnel where the shifter comes through?

I got the trans in mine this weekend and plan on cutting this week. Looking for a rough idea on how much needs to go.

Looking good!!! I regret not getting my stuff powder coated.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I don't have any specifically of the hole but I will try to get you some tomorrow. It is a massive hole though, I can tell you that. I just finished another car (see pic of front subrame) and the coating looks amazing, I think were going to paint the bottom and the firewall a medium gloss black and do the frame, trans, rear and suspension in gloss black powder.
https://i.imgur.com/tC6YbEY.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Excellent project. There's nothing like powder coating to set things off. I like the fact its so durable. Inner fenders, core supports, radiator supports, suspension and rear end housings just need to be wiped off occasionally. Makes things so much nicer to work on when they are clean, too. The loctite on the pinion shaft is an old trick. I remember reading about it tin the '70's, also, the ease that the pinion turns is a good thing. I remember changing a gear set at the track, but that was years ago, and we crushed the sleeve in the pits with a very long breaker bar and we recruited the local Mongo to crush it for us. Getting him under the car was hard, but the hardest part was getting him on his feet again.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Mongo; lol. Reminds me of the Mongo in Blazing Saddles. Great movie.

Powder coating does look great. Not knowing anything about it; what's it weigh?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

When I pulled the rear apart the pinion really spun easy.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It does weigh more than paint but as a whole, the difference would be a few pounds on the whole car. I spoke with Ken Kier at Rockingham and nearly his whole car is powdercoat.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Did a touch of grinding on the subframe today and got some color on it.
https://i.imgur.com/HtJYnW0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/hzAfMGr.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bo5tafP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UopoDAn.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Nice stuff. :) I take it you're in the powder coating biz? -Al

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

That looks great! I suppose that stuff would'nt stick to my rusty junk...rusted into is lighter tho, right? :p

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Everything looks great , makes me wonder what I did over Thanksgiving break!!! You have a big space to work in , Keep the progress coming in the those photos... Been giving me an Idea or even two... LOL

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes sir, I'm a powdercoater.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Rusty is perfect, weathered light. I can make a rusty frame look like a perfect lacquer job with durability.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

This is going to get done quick, we want to race. The next car, I'll make sure you can buy replacement parts.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

LOL I'll hold you to that statement.......

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I put some pictures in your thread.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Looking for a rotisserie to borrow, If I can find that this week I may have the paint stripped off this weekend.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Last I heard my nephew has one , but I believe Tucson is really not to close to you!!! :eek:

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Haha yeah that might be a stretch. I hope I don't have to buy one because I don't want to store it afterwards.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Are you not going to notch the front K member for oil pan remove. I see some stocker are doing this because NHRA may allow it. Cutting center out then making a large U to connect side to side.
Larry

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

No larry, That is one of the things I wanted to do but there just isn't enough time to do all the tricks to this car. If we stick with it, the next car will have the kitchen sink thrown at it. For now the chassis guy and the paint guy need their time so I just need to get it to that point. I do have another car I'm building that has something like your talking about with the front K member that turned out real nice and is removable.
https://i.imgur.com/uNDEvTp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8q5o06U.jpg