G'Day brothers and sisters. Today was my first day out with the Nova. I LOVED IT!!

Here are some things I found not sure if it's right as this is my first non-ECM car. Just so everyone is on the same page. Bought the trans and engine from a 77 Rally 350. The guy had no idea what was done to it before he got it. So we are running a 350/350, With no specifications. I'm going to wager a guess that it has a mild cam in it. listen to the start up video you'll understand.

Issues or things I'm not sure about....


- My trans won't shift on it's own. I have to manually run it through the gears. Doing so makes for a lot of fun but is this normal. Feels like a transgo stage 3 shift kit????

-When in first from dead stop I have to bring up the RPM slightly before it bites. No Not low in fluid and the filter is new. Possible stall torque????

- If I try to up shift under (I'll wager a guess) roughly 3000 rpm it will not shift. I don't have the tach installed yet and the speedo don't work, hastily put the dash back together (my bad) But if I bring it up around 3000-3500 it shifts great, nice and firm giving a lurching feeling as you shift.

-I have the vacuum line for the trans at the back of the carb beside the brake booster line out. is this correct. (Quadrabog carb)
Also have the vacuum advance hooked in lower right hand corner of the carb. Does this sound correct?

On the flip side I put 4 new tires on today, my Hooker headers, 2 red devil glass packs, working on the key less entry tomorrow.

This car hauls a$$, took the wife out for a burn tonight and she loves it too!! Now I just have to finish straightening out the body and pick a color!.

If anyone has 2, 8" wide Craiger SS rims they would like to part with please let me know, my rears are wobbly and the chrome is starting to peel something awful, also need 3 center caps.


Thanks in Advance Chevyboy454.

I'll post some fresh pics tomorrow.

Man I've got no answers for your questions by a long shot but MAN does she sound mean in the video!! Hate to meet you at a red light driving a ricer!!:thumbsup:

Here are some pics of my baby in my shop..

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/rleblond/75%20Nova/Rick011-2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/rleblond/75%20Nova/Rick023.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/rleblond/75%20Nova/Rick002-2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/rleblond/75%20Nova/Rick004-2.jpg

Header shot.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/rleblond/75%20Nova/Rick018-1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/rleblond/75%20Nova/Rick013-2.jpg

I Love my car!!





Cheers Chevyboy454.

My first guess was going to be your vacuum line down to the modulator but sounds like you have that hooked up. But without seeing your vacuum sources it's hard to say. Could be the governor acting up also or defective modulator. Disconnect the vacuum line from the modulator and look inside the modulator and make sure there is no tranny fluid inside the modulator meaning the diaphragm may be punctured. If not, inspect the vacuum tubing to make sure that the headers haven't melted the rubber hose or dry rotted and check the rigid line (if you have one) for cracks etc. also. Look at the upper connection and make sure the hose isn't split, rotted, melted etc. Make sure you have a good vacuum source and feel it with your finger at idle to make sure you've got good suction on the line. If you're pulling vacuum off one of those vacuum switches that won't do, you want a direct vacuum line. If all else fails, there is a tiny straight slot screw inside the vacuum modulator that can be adjusted to manage shift points. Someone may have gone in there and turned the screw causing it to only shift out at higher RPM's. I doubt it but if you keep track of where you start from it may be worth giving it a few turns out or in (I don't remember which way does what but I'm thinking out lets more vacuum in). If none of this works, a replacement vacuum modulator is pretty cheap, I think they're like $15 or so. I would change the tranny fluid and filter and try a new modulator. If still no joy, then you'll need to dig deeper or maybe pop the side cover off of the governor and make sure there's not dirt/grit in there maybe?????

Couple things come to mind the modulator or the governor. I used to have that problem with my 350 it was the governor on mine there was so much dirt that the weights wouldn't expand out.

I would suspect the govener. I have seen 350's shift without the vaccum modulator hooked up when you git the RPMS up high enough.