Project 66 Nova

[cad]

Paul - let me know if you need a hand with anything and I'll swing over.

Clark

[Geerhead55]

Paul,,, many years ago, on my stick shift '66 Nova SS, it was pointed out to me by another Chevy II racer, that the firewalls have some flex in them when the clutch is pushed in. Sure enough, I had a buddy sit in the car and move the clutch pedal and the master cylinder moved back and forth a little, which could cause missed shifts. We made a brace from the shock tower to the master cylinder.
I don't know if its still a problem, nowadays with the new clutch and transmission technology, but its something to check out. Just thinking out loud,,, thanks for bringing us along on your build.
Danny Durham

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Geerhead55

Paul,,, many years ago, on my stick shift '66 Nova SS, it was pointed out to me by another Chevy II racer, that the firewalls have some flex in them when the clutch is pushed in. Sure enough, I had a buddy sit in the car and move the clutch pedal and the master cylinder moved back and forth a little, which could cause missed shifts. We made a brace from the shock tower to the master cylinder.
I don't know if its still a problem, nowadays with the new clutch and transmission technology, but its something to check out. Just thinking out loud,,, thanks for bringing us along on your build.
Danny Durham

Oh yeah my firewall flexes when you push hard on the brake pedal. I'll have to look into your suggestion

[Geerhead55]

Ed,,, your car is a lot prettier than mine was back in the day,,, if you make a brace, you'll have to powdercoat or chrome it!
Danny Durham

[Paul Merolla]

Danny - The new Car Craft has a piece on the COPOs, and there's a photo of the factory-installed firewall brace....looks nice, too...heims on the ends and all. All these years later, and they still didn't make the firewall stiff enough!

[Marty Knox]

Originally Posted by Paul Merolla

Danny - The new Car Craft has a piece on the COPOs, and there's a photo of the factory-installed firewall brace....looks nice, too...heims on the ends and all. All these years later, and they still didn't make the firewall stiff enough!

Automotive engineering is different than locomotive engineering. Automotive engineering calculates the minimum thickness required for strength, then makes it that thickness. Locomotive engineering calculates the minimum thickness required, then multiplies by 4, and that's how thick they make it.

[tj310]

Originally Posted by Paul Merolla

Danny - The new Car Craft has a piece on the COPOs, and there's a photo of the factory-installed firewall brace....looks nice, too...heims on the ends and all. All these years later, and they still didn't make the firewall stiff enough!

I really really like your project. lol moment no heims in stock ---Trevor

[Geerhead55]

Originally Posted by Paul Merolla

Danny - The new Car Craft has a piece on the COPOs, and there's a photo of the factory-installed firewall brace....looks nice, too...heims on the ends and all. All these years later, and they still didn't make the firewall stiff enough!

Thanks Paul,, I've got the new Car Craft,,, just hadn't got to it yet. I'll check it out.
Danny Durham

[Paul Merolla]

Been hittin' it hard the last couple of weeks...my b-day party is Friday so I want to be able to fire it up for everybody.

Waiting on a water neck from UPS, but the rest of the pieces are in place:



It pained me to use non-stock seats, but $$ and Lbs. prevailed:







Last link in the drivetrain...had the shaft made locally in 3 hrs. for a very reasonable price: