1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

I've been around the sport of drag racing since I was young. My dad had a '59 Corvette gasser that he used to race when I as a little kid. (my brother has it now as a street car). I can still remember the first time I went with him to a race and some of the times since then. I became friends with some of the other kids who's dad's raced with him back then and am proud to say still friends with some of them so many decades later still. One of those friends lived around the block from my grandma and shared the same fence. We became close and even closer as the years and life experiences went by. When we were young adults his dad started taking us to the races with him to help him out as his crew. When we weren't getting into some trouble we did our best to help and it ingrained in us some good hard work ethics and planted the racing seed deeper. My buddy and I started with street racers and eventually into some better cars, he picked it up very quick. I had the desire but lacked the dedication that he had. He since won many national and divisional events and a World Championship and I basically went into early retirement from racing. We always remained friends no matter the distance or time that lapsed. Anyway fast forward to this year. I went to Maple Grove with my oldest daughter because her tournament nearby got day 1 cancelled for poor field conditions. Frank took her around and let her get the experience of being in the lanes and on the starting line and in the pits. On the way home she said she thinks she could do that. I told Frank and said keep an eye out for a decent affordable stocker. (easier said than done right?) Well after the holidays he sent me a link to a car I had seen earlier and had some interest in. It was still for sale. I went back and forth and hesitated and finally made the call. The car was in Fla. and I am in NY so I thought that was going to be a deal killer. Frank said, Rich if you want it I'll be at the race in Gainesville and have room in the trailer, we'll take it to Belle Rose and you can race it there, then we'll take it home. How could I turn down an offer like that? The deal was struck, the plan was laid, tickets and licenses and many details worked out. I'll drive it until she's ready and work out the bugs. My friend and his dad and race partners did me a favor that I can never repay but I guess if opportunity knocks you have to answer. The car's in the trailer, the butterflies are in the stomach and Frankie, Frank, Phil and Steve have an IOU for life. Thanks for the opportunity and hoping for a smooth first National Event.http://https://www.facebook.com/phot...type=1&theater

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

here's a couple of pics

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Cool story and great looking car!

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

THat's awesome... great story... and , indeed, working on a car with your father, as i did mine, instilled a good work ethic and many good memories... Cant wait to hear about your first outing, and hers too... Good luck!

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Made 8 runs on Thursdays test n tune and never got the car under the index. Chased bad radiator hose, changed plugs, fixed broken two step wire and timing among other things. During qualifying ran 12.45 on the 12.30 index and lost in class obviously. Checked for broken valve springs or rocker arms and found the valves were out of adjustment by about 20thou. Adjusted and was desgnated pair #3 for Saturdays first round elims. Car started vibrating in second right at 5000 rpm checked tach checked oil pressure 50 lbs thought maybe valve float or rev limiter was funky short shifted third to see if it cleared up and bang boom bam. Rod kicked out the oil pan and trans case cracked and driveshaft spit out. Dream turned into nightmare. Picking up the pieces thanks to the great friends involved and starting over.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Don't get discouraged and throw in the towel. At least now you will know exactly what you have, and the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Good Luck.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

It will be all new and fresh and updated. It should be faster than the old combo ever was too so that's okay. Just wish it was by choice rather than need

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Took out motor and trans and tore down engine. Looks like bearings were tight everywhere. Block and crank are scrap, pistons and rods too, cam and lifters may be safe and heads are getting checked but didn't look too bad. The rebuild process will start now hopefully smoothly.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

I tried to talk a buddy of mine into buying that car, I think you'll have a great piece when you're done. Great story and good luck, just don't make it real fast lol.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Sorry about your issues but it brings me to a question. Now I am not trying to talk bad about anybody but...........what is with the "car runs so and so" , you buy it and can't even get it to run the index. I am facing the same thing except I have to buy a trans and converter because what I got won't run the index and it's the th350 with 2.52 gear and 4200 flash converter that's in it. It doesn't make since. Sorry to hijack your thread.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

#1 rule in buying a used racecar. (and over the years I have bought a 100 or so) Make them meet you at the track and prove it will run the numbers before handing over the cash. Unless it is just so cheap that it doesn't matter if it breaks.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

I hear you on this. As far as Tony's advice on only buying after it ran. True but late. Next time will definitely make sure it's doing what it's supposed to do. But I disagree with the idea of, "unless it's cheap enough that it doesn't matter if it breaks". I don't care if it's a street car nobody spends money for a running car and doesn't care if it becomes a roller. No matter how much or how little.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Actually, I do all the time, lol. I buy and part out a lot of race/performance cars. Helps to support my drag racing. Usually the cars are worth more parted out than their value as a running car. If you buy it for what the roller is worth, everything else is gravy.


In your case, I completely understand and sympathize with your disappointment. I was not trying in any way to make light of it, so please don't think that. I thought your original story was very cool, and I am looking forward to seeing how everything turns out.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Never trying to bash anybody either but facts are facts and your word is all that you have. After your gone your memory and reputation live on longer but those too fade with time. I've been honest in all dealings and maybe too forthcoming in some but I sleep well with my consience clear. Buyer be ware should be buyer be wary. Best of luck in sorting out your mess too.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Crank magged good and is polished some new parts ordered and on the way. The reassembly process should be starting soon and the disassembly process I hope is done.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

I hope everything works out for ya.

I would hate to do what you did & what happened to you when you finally raced it,
the car broke so many parts, that now you have to spend more to fix it.

I was fortunate enough when i "had mine built" from a street car, i had good people doing the work for me, that the car turned out Very Nice.

It's probably more costly building from scratch but you do know what you have from the start.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Sorry to hear of your misfortunes. Sounds like you'll be up and running again in no time.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

I gota give you all the credit for buying the car on the fly and racing it as is,put it this way,now start fresh and put the best combo in for your nova,,great dream chasing

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

It's always kinda of a crap shoot-whether to buy something already built or building your own from scratch. Money wise, it normally works out the same because what you buy often needs upgrades / fixes unless you really pay up. When I started on mine, I decided to go from scratch so I knew up front what I had and where I had tried shortcuts. Then any problems I had I could only blame on myself. Just a personal preference. Good luck with the car.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

While scrambling to find parts I decided to dig through the garage and the two old motors sitting in there for over 35 years. Finding out one is a 1967 302 Camaro motor was almost better than finding the other one had the Corvette oil pan that someone else was selling for $800 was almost as nice. By the way the motors will be for sale soon.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Almost done chasing down parts, the rebuild process is long but moving in the right direction. Engine should be done soon, rear end is okay. New Fuel lines and regulator run. Chasing down a few more parts but the list is getting smaller.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Good to hear..make sure and keep us posted. :)

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

It would be smart to call Brandon Wood about that car. Good luck.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

I don't know who that is but if you PM me his info I'll give him a call. Was he a previous owner? I bought it from Steve Cohen but not sure who owned it previously.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Fuel cell is in and fuel pump mounted and plumbed to cell, battery hold down and regulator and cutoff switch done. Need a few more fittings to finish off fuel system and some wiring to complete everything so far. I can't remember how to post pictures on this website. It's not easy.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

In regards to photos:

In the Reply window there is a paper clip icon next to the smiley face thing in the top row. Click it and it will bring up a window where you can choose a file to upload from your computer. Size limits and file types are listed in that window.

Dale

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

There is?

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

What balancer were you running on the car when the engine broke?

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

I believe it is an ATI piece. But it's all at the shop right now. Why?

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

I had a Professional Products piece on my car. SFI certified, yada, yada. Was chasing a vibration issue for a long time. A friend of mine had the same balancer and it snapped the shaft off of his water pump (LT1 engine). Mine snapped the dowel pin off of the camshaft (LT1 engine). He swapped to an ATI and the vibration is gone. Those Profession Products dampers are junk. I was just wondering if maybe you had one, you could probably trace any sort of imbalance issue to it.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

It definitely wasn't Precision Products or anything like that. It is an ATI and it seems okay.
Thanks for the heads up though. Will stay away from their balancer for sure.

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Re: 1973 Nova I/SA Chasing the Dream
 

Battery mount changed and secured, complete new fuel system from cell to pump to regulator, new radiator, new drive shaft, new ring and pinion, new trans (metric 200) new motor almost done. Found a used open trailer locally for cheap and a nearly new Suburban to tow with. Now just waiting for some warm weather in the North East. I never could have done any of this without the relentless help of some very good friends and I am left in awe of their benevolence and commitment to seeing this dream of mine become a reality. Thank You!

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