Re: Project 66 Nova
 

What is your plan for the driveshaft loops

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Thanks, Garrett...yes, I will be adding a brace on the back of the seat...and having a beer!
Wade, I was planning on one of the Lakewood bolt-on loops that would span between my subframe connectors.

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Paul I will see if I can get a few pics of my driveshaft loop on here. Tom

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Which Kirky seats are those? Great looking car by the way!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Thanks, Johnny....they're the economy drag seats, 20 degree layback, 17.5" width.

Well, tonight was the big fire up. Almost 11 years in the making, as you can see in the video I have a big s***-eating grin.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23587359@N05/8390550299/

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

VERY COOL Paul!!!! There is just something about the sound of a stocker. I just don't know how it is running tho. The distributor is on the wrong end of the engine... hum LOL. Cool car and a stick to boot!!! Congrats!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Cool Paul. I'm thinking World of Wheels auto show???

Clark

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Possibly, though I still have a lot to do. You should stop by and check it out!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

nice job!!!!!!! ,,,sounds good ,,how long is the driveway????? do a lot of double checking,check the throwout bearing and clutch fork for smooth operation,if you dont have heim joints on your linkage you might want to work on that ,,mcmaster carr has a all the stuff needed and priced right ,,, if winter ended tomorrow, it wouldnt be soon enough gmonde

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Nice project and it has been fun following the build on YB. Congradulations!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Our car is still in pieces and we are planning on going to Belle Rose. Maybe I should come by and "borrow" yours? It would be a lot easier! LOL. Looks and souns nice! Don't do too much joy idling! You need to get a good ring seal on that bad boy!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Well fellas, I finally made it. I joined this site in Dec. of 2001, when I first got bitten by this classracing disease, and have learned probably 80% of what I know about these cars from all of you. (Well, most anyway! All I learned from Ed O'Brien was how to step on my...)
Last night, I took the Nova to Midamerica Motorplex for its first shakedown passes, and had the time of my life. After wanting to do this so bad for so long, I was wound up pretty good in the lanes before my first attempt. I had gone through the procedure a million times in my head, but it was really hard to concentrate. Burnout went fine, put too much brake in it to stage. Launched hard, went right. Pedaled it like Capps, haha, then it went straight but it got stuck in third gear. Got back to the pit and found the one detail I had overlooked....tightening the jam nuts on the linkage. Got it straightened out. Went back up, and was a lot more calm that time. Set the 2-step at 5500, still getting my feet wet, and turned 'er loose. Oh Yeah!!! That, friends, is what it's all about! Managed 3 shifts, and it was over. (wish we had a 1/4 mi.) Got my timeslip and drove back to the pit pumping my fist and shaking like a leaf. 7.381...that means I'm UNDER the 7.57 index for F/S! Now I have nowhere to go but quicker!
Big thanks to my wife, Elizabeth, for lots of encouragement and presents from Summit. Also to the midwest Chevy II contingent, all of whom have helped me with this project: Dave Cech, Jim and Joe Schaechter, Jim Parsons, John Hladky, and Tom Meyer. Big thanks to Frank Allen for keeping me motivated with good stories and great sound effects.
Thanks to many of you on this forum for sound advice, not directly, but by answering the questions of others. Alan Roerich, Adger Smith, Dwight Southerland, Bub Whitaker, and on and on. Geez I'm sounding like the Oscars....anyway, a couple of pics to close it all out:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/8...a1c65cc3_z.jpg




http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/8...d7f2fa1b_z.jpg
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/23587359@N05/8727842419/]

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Great job! AND the personal satisfaction of doing so much of it yourself.
It just goes to show, good things ARE worth waiting for!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Nice job and a big congradulations to you on a job well done!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Congratulation on a job well done, now you just have to get the c/d out there soon. Claude Ruel

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Thanks, Billy - you belong on that list, too, along with Eddie Rezac.

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

great job on getting it all put together ,, bonus you get to drive it ,, on the two step and let the clutch out ,,, there is nothing like it ..make some passes , you will get it figured out Gmonde

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Way to go Paul,,, glad you finally got it out to the track. It was very enjoyable following along with your build,, take care.
Danny Durham

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Very Cool and Congrats!!!! I hope you be where you're at this time next year.

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Paul; thanks for taking the time to post pics and text to allow us to follow along with your build. The race debut post captured your emotions perfectly and was icing on the cake. Best Of Luck and have fun racing your sharp Chevy II in the future!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

I am not sure what I had to do with it Paul but great job. When I get realy close with mine I will put up all of my pics and there is alot of them. Mine has turned it a three year project, but like yours will be worth the wait. The UPS and FEDEX guys are just like Santa. Tom

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

I'm finally getting close to being "complete" on this thing....I know it will never be 100% done.
Trying to get ready for the Midwest Class Racers event this weekend at TVD, so I've been busting A** on the interior.
First shot is the headliner. I've never attempted one before, but it really wasn't that bad:


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/8...40eee59f_z.jpg

I stretched it and clipped it, then the next day I took off 8 or so clips at a time, sprayed glue on, and clipped it back up. Not bad.
Finished product:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/8...23a2b378_z.jpg


I used a roll of Ozite carpet, and it was truly a giant PITA!! Hours of kneeling, squatting, contorting, etc. inside the car. I'd rather do 3 headliners than 1 carpet install, but it came out OK.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/8...6dbf1140_z.jpg

Finished the door panels last night at 12:30, and it's starting to look like something:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/8...86e338b9_z.jpg


Tonight will be kick panels, dash pad, sill plates, and seats. Gotta redo my seat mount to make it lower....I wasn't smart enough to sit in the car with a helmet on the first time around, so I didn't realize until I was at the track that I had to duck down to keep my helmet from hitting the roof. Not a difficult thing to fix, at least.
Next week I'll post some pics from TVD!!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

The car really looks good and I hope that you make the TV race.

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Paul, I can remember you telling me back in about 2001 down at Scribner that you were building the car. It has come to fruitation and it looks good!

See you at TV this week end. Midwest class racing at its finest!

#5457

Curt Rees

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Curt, I can't believe you remembered that...I sure didn't until just now!
I guess it goes to show how badly I want to do this if it's been 12 years and I haven't lost interest yet....

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Paul,
Where did you find a deal at on all of those clips to hold the headliner up?
Glenn

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Glenn-
I was at Office Depot getting my monthly $100 worth of ink cartridges for my office, and a box of 144 clips just fell right into the cart!
Now, I have a box of clips that I'll never use again. Want 'em?

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Sure! I've got to put the headliner in my Chevy II Wagon in a couple or so weeks.

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Paul very nice. It looks great.

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

A great project, for sure!!!! Congrats!!!!!!! every
thing looks GREAT!!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

and, the stick doesn't hurt, either!!!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Paul your car looks killer! I look forward to meeting you this weekend at TV. I just started my car after converting to stick tonight. So din't feel alone when thrashing into the night

John A. McLaugnlin

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Congrats X 10, ..you actually built "MY" car.
The one I dream of.
Since 1968.

Besides ,IMO, Yellow does not go well with a black roof.

POP HOT RODDING Project X ..has nothing on your gem.

BTW is that an Alum (winters * casting ) manifold...?..Did I Forgot that it was avail. on the 66-67 /275 hp ?
Back in the day, I had worked a 66-327/350 for a couple of months ..similar ?

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

No, there isn't an aluminum intake for the 275hp. That's good ol cast iron on mine, with a couple coats of silver paint.

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

----------------------------------

Thanx..my memory is still intact.(?)

ALMOST had to consult my 60's parts book.

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

I got see, and actually run Paul's NOVA this week end at Pacific JT. open. The car look outstanding and runs well for being new, plus the driver is right on with some excellent lights.
Good job Paul look forward to having another stick Nova in division 5.

Jim Parsons

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Here are Paul and I in rd1 of Pro ET this morning.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...78006970_n.jpg

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Here is a video from the stock/ss combo round
http://s9.photobucket.com/user/cdouk...bdf39.mp4.html

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

It was a great weekend at the track...where do I start?
First, we pulled in Sat. AM for the National Open and the first trailer I saw had Jim Parsons in it! I had no idea who would show up so was pretty pumped to say the least. As I was pulling in next to Jim, he was yelling "So it really does exist!" Then Dave Cech showed up (without car, unfortunately) and I had a great time shooting the bull with he and Jim. Since there were only 4 cars, I figured I was in the semi's without even firing the car. Had my first tech inspection by the legendary Wayne Lewis, who was super cool and found a thing or two to ding me for....if he hadn't, I might start to doubt his bad-assness. Thankfully, there are still a few hardcore techmen left in NHRA. Spent the day trying to dial the car when the clutch wasn't quite right. At least I was cutting good lights. Got paired up with Jim, as he said, and cut an .014 but dialed hoping the car wouldn't bog again......it did, and Jim put a fender on me at about the 330'. As I told him, if I had to lose to anyone, I was glad it was him. He then went on to the final where he beat Larry Vieregger for the trophy. Congrats, Jim.
Decided to come back today to get the clutch right, and did. Now the 60' is repeating...all 3 time shots were 1.58 today. Had .014, .002, and -.052 lights. The stupid redlight got in my head, so 1st rd. against Clark I pulled a stellar .120 out of my a**. Again, at least I lost to a multi-time track champion...not that I'm OK with losing. All in all, a super fun couple of days and can't wait to go to Cedar Falls on Aug. 10-11 for the Nat. Open / Midwest Class Racers event. See you all there!

Re: Project 66 Nova
 

Paul, great job on your car. Nice touch with the Vinyl top. Cr