Hi....I’m over from Team Chevelle to get information to verify a 1969 L78 Nova.

I think I’ve found a real L78 project that I will be looking at next week. The seller claims to have the build sheet and original engine which are needed if correct. I have little first hand Nova knowledge, especially L78, and would appreciate any information that might help me determine if it’s real.

Here’s is what I’ve discovered about 1969 Nova L78’s, please correct any wrong information:

The only way to prove a real SS, L34 or L78 is the original engine and/or build sheet.
All 396 Novas were SS cars.
All SS cars have a VIN/serial number that begins with 11427.
All 1969 SS’s had front power disc brakes.
All 396 Nova heater hoses enter the heater box the same as a 396 Camaro, middle.
All SS’s have multi-leaf rear springs.
All L78’s have a 12 bolt but not necessarily all SS’s.
:confused:

Thanks,

Welcome to the board.

The Nova and Camaro shared a lot of similar parts and clues. Front springs, gas line and transmission cross-members are the same and an indication of what is needed. I am sending you PM with a list of all the needed parts with pictures to identify a Big Block car.

Big Dave

Hi....I’m over from Team Chevelle to get information to verify a 1969 L78 Nova.

I think I’ve found a real L78 project that I will be looking at next week. The seller claims to have the build sheet and original engine which are needed if correct. I have little first hand Nova knowledge, especially L78, and would appreciate any information that might help me determine if it’s real.

Here’s is what I’ve discovered about 1969 Nova L78’s, please correct any wrong information:

The only way to prove a real SS, L34 or L78 is the original engine and/or build sheet.
All 396 Novas were SS cars.:
No, you could get a BBC in a non SS car.
All SS cars have a VIN/serial number that begins with 11427.:
No, the vin does not have any designation that makes it an SS for the Nova with the exception of the 72 model year which we will not get into here since this isn't the year you are looking at.
All 1969 SS’s had front power disc brakes.:
Yes, Disc brakes were standard equipment on SS cars, but could be ordered on a standard car also.
All 396 Nova heater hoses enter the heater box the same as a 396 Camaro, middle.:
Yes, actually it is the same exact box and part Number.
All SS’s have multi-leaf rear springs.:
I am pretty sure this is true, but never thought much about it.
All L78’s have a 12 bolt but not necessarily all SS’s.:
I am pretty sure you are correct with this one also but not sure since I mainly deal with the 72 model year specifics and the only rear the 72's got was the 10 bolt with 8.5" Carrier which was not available on the Nova until 72.

Hope I answered some of your questions!

Hi Gloryhound

I found a site that says to get a 1969 396 Nova you needed to start with an SS. (see below). I thought I read it somewhere else but can't find it now. Is this site wrong?

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1969-chevrolet-nova-ss-396.htm

I guess I worded the line about VIN/serial number wrong, I didn't mean only SS cars have that number just all 69 SS's do.

New information:

I came across a chat that says Nova L78 cars have one fuel line from tank to pump. 350's & L34's will have a return line. (see below)

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=389421

:noway: :noway: :noway: The L78 Nova I was looking at has two huge problems; wrong engine and no VIN tag. Thanks for the help.

[quote=Gloryhound;9841]No, you could get a BBC in a non SS car.


I agree with most that has been said about documenting a true L-78 69 Nova. I would like to question the availability of any Big Block Novas of the non-SS family? In 1969, the only Regular Production Option (RPO) that I have ever known, states available in SS only? Would like to know if there has been information found otherwise, such as a documented car? I know weird things happened back during that time as yes, several of the special built Big Block cars (COPO's) were non-SS, but went through the GM central office to make the change?

In documenting any car, original engine, drivetrain, buildsheet, protect-o-plate, original window sticker, original owner, etc., and of course the options the car has that might give a hint as too what it was originally, yet many of these things are not absolutely fool-proof as some of this can be changed to suit the owners satisifaction. Since the price of the muscle car has escalated, especially the L-78's, one now has to even worry about restamps and fake paperwork.

[quote=Gloryhound;9841]No, you could get a BBC in a non SS car.


I agree with most that has been said about documenting a true L-78 69 Nova. I would like to question the availability of any Big Block Novas of the non-SS family? In 1969, the only Regular Production Option (RPO) that I have ever known, states available in SS only? Would like to know if there has been information found otherwise, such as a documented car? I know weird things happened back during that time as yes, several of the special built Big Block cars (COPO's) were non-SS, but went through the GM central office to make the change?

In documenting any car, original engine, drivetrain, buildsheet, protect-o-plate, original window sticker, original owner, etc., and of course the options the car has that might give a hint as too what it was originally, yet many of these things are not absolutely fool-proof as some of this can be changed to suit the owners satisifaction. Since the price of the muscle car has escalated, especially the L-78's, one now has to even worry about restamps and fake paperwork.


The only reason I say this is I was talking to a retired State Patrol Officer and "he said" his department got 5 new 69 Nova patrol car that were 4 doors with a 396 BBC engine. He said nothing as far as being an SS car or not, but I don't think the SS optiion was ever put on a 4 door car, but previous to this I had never heard of a BBC nova from the factory. If his statement is true I would love to get my hands on one of these COPO cars. He also said they great on the open interstates, but cornered like $#!t on the side roads! I could see that! :D

[quote=copo-2;9897]


The only reason I say this is I was talking to a retired State Patrol Officer and "he said" his department got 5 new 69 Nova patrol car that were 4 doors with a 396 BBC engine. He said nothing as far as being an SS car or not, but I don't think the SS optiion was ever put on a 4 door car, but previous to this I had never heard of a BBC nova from the factory. If his statement is true I would love to get my hands on one of these COPO cars. He also said they great on the open interstates, but cornered like $#!t on the side roads! I could see that! :D

Yes, that is possibly so being built as a COPO through the Central Office, for a special need. Taxis and delivery vans were even built by this process, but an individual request was highly unlikely?

Sounds like that would really have been a sleeper and surprise to those who saw a 4 door Nova after them? In 69, the HD new 400 automatic was even available behind the solid lifter engine.

The police get all of their hot rods on a COPO. That way you can order any option you want or need (including having the car custom painted to match your companies color, such as all white for police or John Deere green or Cat Yellow). The police have always put together cars that make the SS option look whimppy by comparison. I do not know the code leter for the police interceptor Nova, but in the case of an Impala it was refered to as a 9C1 optioned car.

Like Elwood said to Jake when he picked him up at Juliet, "It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It was made before catalytic converters so it runs good on regular gas. What about it; is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"


Big Dave