Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Greg, I'll try to measure it before the valve train goes on.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Greg, frank, I don't know if this is the way to do it but...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbZDpiWt4BY

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

A few more things checked off the list. I don't know how everyone else lines up the gaskets to the heads and manifold but here's how we did it.
https://i.imgur.com/24WQCp8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wSO774G.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/oqX73cO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vUvfMuH.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I used an old fashioned 40 year old long torque wrench that had the scale right under the handle, with a long pointer to give a reading off the scale. I actually haven't seen those for sale for a long time.The click type as initially released by Snap On in the early '70's has consigned all the spring type torque wrenches to obsolescence. One of my 327 short blocks few years ago could actually easily be turned by hand by gripping the harmonic balancer and spinning it pretty easily. It took around 5 or 6 pounds/feet to turn it with the old style torque wrench. Probably a click type inch pound wrench would be a good idea.I'm sure that by your description of this engine assembly that you've found some improvement.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

It's back! See if we can get it painted tomorrow.
https://i.imgur.com/3LDrQ7r.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I tried a kinder gentler approach to seal installation, it was almost too easy.
https://i.imgur.com/VM1s5WA.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

The clutch is back. Really not sure where to mount this accumulator and it won't happen now but collecting parts to eventually switch to a grid.
https://i.imgur.com/kM3HXFI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XAFwz1C.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I will interested to see how this one MPHers. Hopefully the upper valve cover studs don't break out of the casting.:D

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

You don't miss too much do you?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Gary, Fairly obvious with those gaskets..Surprised nobody mentioned it before now ;-)

Todd, Nice working conditions..We should all be that lucky :-)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

We are very very lucky. So lucky that it's a shame I don't have a 70 nova to work on, would be real nice to have an aluminum intake and a holley to play with.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Why does it take all day to get a job done that I think I'll have done in 3 hours? Anyhow, it's all sanded, cleaned and painted.
https://i.imgur.com/aj2Z6J0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/r9PRUIW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/A4IeBQf.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

What number GM intake does that car take?I have a few assorted stock intakes, both iron and aluminum that I need to move out. If somebody on here needs one, I'll look and see if I can help.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

No, Derby City taught me everything I know................;)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Greg, ours is a 346249

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

A picture is worth a thousand words....

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Is that the only intake for your combination, or are there others? I need to liquidate excess stock and I'll certainly get back to you if I find one that you can use. I stockpiled too much stuff in my younger years, now it's time to reduce inventory while I still can this easily.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Well, out of my used parts pile, I didn't have an intake with that number. Only post '72 intake I had was a cast iron '73-74 truck intake with no EGR provision. I put it in the donor pile.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks for checking Greg. We have a list of "things" that need attention and the intake is high on that list.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I hope that my inquiry about the brand of intake gaskets didn't cause a bunch of people to scrutinize the pictures...

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Dean, You're fine sir. I post what can be seen, I don't post what I don't want seen. Just remember It's the internet so everyone's a hero :rolleyes:

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Ready to go back between the fenders.
https://i.imgur.com/SL5HgcT.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd and Autumn: I'd have to put a bunch gouges, scrapes, chips and dings on that thing before I could be comfortable working on it! ;)

Going to the dyno? -Al

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Al, it only looks this good the first day! No dyno time for it now, there are a couple enginee waiting for the dyno so we won't have time before the first race. I'd like to take it back out in April to dyno and try some different intake manifolds. I also texted you some pictures ;)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Re: intake gaskets-- Back in the day that I worked in dealerships,'78-80, and Los Angeles County Mechanical department and I worked on mostly sheriff's cars, the iron intakes on the 78-79 Novas and Malibu's had an iron intake and at some point they quit using front and rear gaskets on the intakes in favor of RTV. All the 80-83 Malibus were 305's, and they had aluminum intakes. They all had RTV on the front and rear of the intake. We bought the orange GM RTV in large cylinders with a nozzle and a cap, and we used a caulking gun to apply it. It took a lot of oil leak comebacks with it. Same with valve covers. The main thing after all the fly cutting and resurfacing takes place is to make sure enough material was taken off of the manifold front and rear to ensure that the side gaskets were compressed adequately to seal up properly.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Greg, At this point we're "trial and error" every step of the way, pretty much change your ways till the failures stop. Seems as though every action to fix a problem has a reaction that creates another. I think we've learned a lot this go round just being able to see some used parts to verify success or failure. I feel like we've closed up some variances hoping it shows power increases, if that works we'll keep squeezing it harder.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

TODD check your PM --Dick

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Got it in Yesterday afternoon.
https://i.imgur.com/QJwglHu.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Looks like you could use a Derby City fender cover ;-)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes, we're laying all over it. Not ideal.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Got a bit done today, balancer and crank pulley are on, alternator is on, clutch, bellhousing and trans are in. Probably just work on getting small stuff buttoned up tomorrow, also going to order a new driveshaft.
https://i.imgur.com/dYx9ubn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0dGkUxD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EPBty71.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Looks Great ! When's the first track hit ?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Hope you don't mind me asking.
What clutch set up are you using?
Terry K

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Seeing the bottom of the car it looks like the second and oil rings are doing a good job. See y’all in Florida.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

TnT in Orlando.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Black Magic.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

The second ring looked like it had sealed up real quick, but had some rust on the top ring and tops of the cylinders so I thing the oil control was good. Top ring wasn't doing as well. See you in Orlando.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Sorry not many pictures today. Seems like everything we touch we have to mess around with it or change stuff up, typical car stuff. Got the distributor collar set up, shifter is finished, starter in and wired, battery checked and charged, clutch linkage done, 1 header is tight and the other I'll wait till we see if the accusump lines fit. And Autumn is real happy because she has the dome light wiring figured out, just need to put the switch in. She was a trooper today worked on it this morning then went to work in the afternoon then came back after work, that's why she looks tired in this pic.
https://i.imgur.com/PhvSDPE.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

She's a drag racer and I love that kid! I wish for you guys great success this season and will be rooting for you both.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks Frank. This division really takes a toll on a racer, we're tired. Trying to work and get a car ready is tough. At the end of 2021 we will have 14 weeks from seasons end until the 2022 season starts, add in the holidays and if any significant work needs to happen it's a real dash.