I don't really know if anyone can help, but some outside advice would be nice.
i just bought a 1971 Nova coupe, body has very little rust, just a hell of a lot of old primer. Has trouble turing over every once in a while, that is just the starter, if i get under the car and hit it a couple times it works. Battery needs replacing. I was driving it home and about half way i lost the breaks compleatly, so i had to drive slow use hills, and the 1st and 2nd gear (auto). When i got home i was just trying to move it into its place out back and all of a sudden the only gear i have is drive, no matter where i move the shifter, its drive, so shes sittin there until i fix that. My break pedal also sags a little so my break light is always on, i just stuck a piece of wood under it to temporaroly fix that.
The only real questions i have are, what would you personally start with to fix this car, besides the obvious (break problem, starter, new battery.)
Also can anyone recomend a company, preferably online, that i can get parts for this car, and where i can go to get a stereo, all sound system, parts are gone on this car.
This is my first car (im 16) and its also my first time working on a car, so i will be on these fourms alot in the upcoming months/years.
thanks guys
skyler

Also, my steering wheel has no center hub, but i cant seem to find where a horn would have been, i will posting pics of this car top to bottom soon so there will be some visual referance.
I need to have a horn, cuz horns just make road rage more fun, hahaha!!!

i'd say that the shifter linkage may be loose... maybe. give that a check (under the hood & on the driver's side of the trans)

the master cylinder may be bad or if the car's been sitting a long time something may have deteriorated and is now leaking... pull all 4 wheels and visually check all brake hoses, the wheel cylinders etc for moisture. do not drive the car until the brakes are fixed.

i'd fix the battery issue next. the starter may not be bad at all... if the battery is bad that could explain the starting issues...

for restoration supplys etc, check www.JollyRodder.com (http://www.JollyRodder.com) for all kinds of info, restoration, upgrades etc links.


we're here ta help as best as we can from cyberworld... OH, welcome to Team Nova too ;)

JR

thank you, i think the issue is both the battery and the starter, i have to jump it every once in a while, but sometimes, i have all the lights, but it just won't turn over
Another quick question, the rear window came off the track, and i couldn't figure out how to get to it, i didn't wanna just yank the interior side pannel, i was afraid i would break it.

For the brake switch issue you may have a weak return spring that is not pulling the pedal up far enough to disengage the brake switch. You either need to bend the ends of the brake pedal spring or take out a coil or two to make it stiff enough to pull the brake pedal all the way to the top or you need to adjust the Brake switch so that it will not be "closed" until you push on the brake pedal. The brake switch is mounted up under the dash in the area where the upper portion of the brake pedal will actuate it and it has a nut on the threaded side that you can adjust so that it's off when the brakes are not being actuated and on when they are. Congrats on your New Nova, and don't sweat it everyone here will help you solve your problems, and welcome to Team Nova!

Might also just have a bad connection on the battery terminals. May have also messed the transmission up, but hopefully not! Congrats on the Nova :D

at the JollyRodder site, in the "Research Info, Vin, Paint, Casting #'s etc." section you'll see a link for "Greg's Automotive (Fisher Manuals) there you'll find info for a "Fisher Body Manual" and also an "Assembly" manual... i'd recommend the 50 or so dollars for both of these manuals (more like tools really) both of these books will pay for themselves over and over again just with the info they provide when you need to fix something on your car... they don't deal with engine overhaul, diagnostics, brakes or anything of that sort but deal with assembling the car...

they're both extremely helpful books :thumbsup:

i'd agree with the comment about checking the connections first on the battery... make sure it's in good condition also. the charging system (battery & alternator) and the starter can be checked most cases for free at your local part house. you'll need to remove the battery, alternator or starter to have tested in most cases... but that doesn't cost you anything but your time. this of course is required because of the brake issues... they can check the charging system etc on the car... but ya have ta be able ta STOP there ta do it :rolleyes:

get the cables cleaned up and maybe take in the battery and have it load tested and see how things go from there...

we aren't going anywhere... keep us posted and we'll try to help ya as ya progress ;)

it is obvious already that people here are extreamly helpful and nice.
tomorrow i will try fixing the break pedal. Also the tranny problem, i hope that is a simple project.
To fully get to the starter, it appeared that i would have to drop the headers on the right side, am i right about that.

Welcome to the Team Skyler!

For my two cents; I would comment if your lights are working and you can beat on the starter and it starts working you have a defective starter with a dragging armature (bad bearings).

Brakes, as mentioned look for leaks, but first be sure the master cylinder has fluid in it. With a leak you may have pumped it all out. If it is full of fluid and you have no obvious leaks your master cylinder is bad (internal seals are leaking fluid as you press the pedal down). The master cylinder going to the floor is probably the reason the brake light is on, it should have enough fluid pressure in it to resist the weight of the pedal.

Transmission. If this vehicle sat for a long time without being driven the seals will have deteriorated and are leaking under pressure. Check fluid level on the dip stick as I suspect you are low due to leaks.

I didn't hear you mention the word "emergency brake" when your brakes failed. In a 1971 vehicle you have two independent braking systems that should still work. If the front brakes went out or the back went out due to a leak, the other end should still work. But the emergency brake is separate still, and doesn't use hydraulics, being a throw back to the earlier days of mechanical brakes. They are called emergency brakes because when you put them on while driving at a high speed you will almost certainly loose control of the car as the rear axel locks up. I suggest that you get used to their operating characteristics once you get the car back on the road by trying them out in a big WalMart shopping mall parking lot some early Sunday morning, while everyone else is in church and the cops are eating donuts.

If your car has been sitting a while other issues like bad gas (it rots like any other organic substance while sitting in the tank) will cause carb problems to become evident when you get your mind off dying due to bad brakes. Wish you luck and as problems crop up drop us a post and we will attempt to offer some advise (talk is cheap) which will hopefully keep you from buying unnecessary parts (parts are not cheap for muscle cars).

Big Dave

So its probable that my master cylinder is shot. Acutally, speaking of E-breaks, that is how it happend in the first place. We had it parked at a gas station about 15 min after we bought it, and we couldn't start it, so we jacked it up to get to the starter, well my dad kicked on the e-break and didn't tell me, so i drove for an hour with that on, wondering why there wasn't enough power.

That'll do it ;).

thanks,

So its probable that my master cylinder is shot. Acutally, speaking of E-breaks, that is how it happend in the first place. We had it parked at a gas station about 15 min after we bought it, and we couldn't start it, so we jacked it up to get to the starter, well my dad kicked on the e-break and didn't tell me, so i drove for an hour with that on, wondering why there wasn't enough power.


SO, yer Dad's responsible !!! tell 'im we said now he's gotta fix it !!! :eek: :rolleyes: :D


hehehe ;)

oh, yeah he is helpin me, i want it to be my project overall, but he's helping with the break problem

Most of the parts needed to fix the brakes, starter and lights are available at local parts stores. Buy quality parts, the cost is a little higher but the parts last longer which makes them cheaper in the long run. Do not buy a part because you think it is bad or someone else does. There are specific tests tha can be done to determine the parts viability.
Pick up some manuals, GM are best but even a Chilton will help with diagnosing most common problems. Inspect and repair the brakes system before driving it again. Fairly simple once you get a manual and we can help with any questions you have. Safety needs to be your primary concern, then drivability and you need to put that sound system on hold until the car is actually licensed, insured and roadworthy.

So welcome to the Team; working together you will have your car on the road in no time. I am assuming you maybe live in NJ or PA? the only places I know of where there is a town named Elizabeth.

I love Father Son Projects (Mainly because my old man was too busy for me) My son and I do everything together!. Welcome to the Forums, anxious to see some pics! I have a sneaky suspicion you blew a wheel cylinder running with the e-brakes on like that. I believe it was mentioned above about how you should pull the wheels off and assess the situation. I'd start there.

Cheers Chevyboy454.

Actually it is beautiful colorado, just past parker if anyone knows the area.
And not to rain on your parade man, but i hate working with my dad, he becomes a total dick when we work together. Whenever work starts he thinks he automatically knows what to do cuz he's 47 and im 16, like the first thing i said when i got the car is, "we should stop and get a chiltons on the way home"
his answer, "naw we don't need it, all these problems are easy to fix i know how to do it"
we get home he has absolutly no idea how to do any of it, so now i have to deal with his mess ups

well you have us to give you help and support. With your dads attitude he will eventually get bored and leave you alone.

The best way to get off the rear door pannel and probably the only way without risking doing damage is by actually taking out the back seat as the pannel does run slightly back into the side of the seat. (think about putting in new moister barriers while you have it off and for the other also about $15 or so worth it though i say). I am 19 myself and my dad (when he is not to busy with work) will help me with a small fix or to, cherish it my friend many are not as lucky learn to teach him to work as a team with you, ya gotta train him a little :D. Along with the starter possibly being bad i would check the grounds on it to make sure that there isn't something that isn't grounding well, could potentially cause a problem (did on mine).
As for the radio you can order them through classic industries i know, but they are pretty spendy and i can assure you, you will get a much better sound system from an after market system. So for that what i did was leave my stock radio (that doesn't work) in place and put my aftermarket unit mounted in the glove box along with new Pheonix Gold speakers all the way around sounds AMAZING. Welcome to the team.

Ummm, excuse me Skyler, but do you really think referring to your father as a "total dick" on a public forum is really fair to your dad? I mean, he IS helping you to get this car right? And who is going to pay for the insurance on it or putting you on their policy? While Dad may not know everything about fixing the car, have you thought that you are actually lucky that he is willing to try to work with you and helping you to have a classic Nova in the first place?? Maybe he does know a little more than you're giving him credit for and your just feeling frustrated maybe??? I don't know, but I DO know that when you are a Father and have a son of your own, you may not do everything perfect and your teenage son may think that he knows more than you do too. Trust me you will think a lot differently when you are 47 than you do when you are 16. Try to go easy on Dad and be grateful for the help he is willing to give you and hey, maybe even give him a hug for helping you get the car going or at least trying! :yes: To tell a bunch of total strangers on the Internet that your dad is a "dick" is disrespectful and it would not feel very good to you if he was telling his friends on his internet forum that his son was being a "total dick" about the car I helped him get now would it???? :noway: Ok then, lets play nice!! HA!

Dale, you took the words right out of my mouth!! No offense kid but take all the time you can with your old man. Sooner or later he won't be there. I didn't get the chance to do what your doing, at least he is trying.

Cheers Chevyboy454.

ah, gee and here i wanted ta bag on the kid !!! :(

i'm 50 and i remember when i was 16, workin' on my first car... a '55 Chevy my Dad gave me... only after i busted my butt mowin' lawns, painting fences & houses, raking leaves etc for a whole summer and giving him every dime of the money i earned. only to have ta put up with his crap always tellin' me what ta do :(

funny thing about my Ol'Dad... as dumb as a rock 'til i turned 21 or so, then i found out that some rocks are pretty smart. i found out that i was the one who didn't know crap about anything and the Ol'man was actually a pretty good guy. he helped my buy a new engine for that ol'55... with all that money i'd given him :D

yeah, our parents have a way of getting under our skin but don't think for a second they're dumb or a certain male appendage... i found out that my Dad was in fact a great guy who loved me very much... even though it seemed for half my life we hated each others guts.

the BEST years of my life came after i got that ol'55 from my Dad and worked on it with him...

he died when i was 28... he was 56... he was a very young man. i miss him every day.


whatever chip is on your shoulder i recommend pitching it and try to see the bigger picture in life. you have an opportunity to find out that you as a MAN can spend time with your father... not as a kid that you were, but the Man that he probably hopes you'll be ;)


i'll bet ya both deserve to have a good time together... relish these moments, ya don't know how long they'll last ;)


ReverendJohnny (stepping down from the pulpit) ;)

Thanks, i try, but we just get at each others necks when we work together.
And as a side note, i bought the car, i pay for gas, i pay for insurance, my parents aren't even throwing a penny in.



Back to the car, i tried removing the seat, but i couldn't find a bolt or anything, im thinkin it lifts out, but i haven't figured it out yet, its like a puzzle

for rear seat removal, look here: http://rides.webshots.com/album/289460018NgLaxm


there's a lot of other links of interest located at www.JollyRodder.com



TRY ta get a long with yer Pops... regardless of who pays for what... he's yer Dad ;)

I'd Like to say How I remember how it was When my father and I worked together, but I can't (and it's not because I'm 64 and forget a lot). It was because he was out working 12 to 14 hours a day to put a roof over my head so that I could blow every dime I made on race cars. He also put up with 12 derelict (To him anyway) cars in the back yard that I was working on to one degree or another (not the 13th though, that was the last straw when I brought that 1958 Corvette roller home. I was out of there).

Big Dave

Skyler, I'm 17. I don't agree with everything my dad suggests, but 90% of the time I am wrong and he is right. So, don't be upset at your dad, he's just trying to help you :D.

my trans did the same thing every thing looked fine up top when i crawled under it the carter key that holds the shift rod to the trans bracket broke and the shift linkage had come half way off which mad just enough slop so it wouldn't shift. check all you battery cable and grounds before replacing anything it's cheaper to go threw and clean then to replace take the time to look it over, shoot spend a couple hours if you have to things will sometimes show them selves after you've looked it over. the first car i had that i actually drove had so many problems that i thought i about selling it before i got it home no brakes, trans wouldn't shift and when i got it home it wouldn't start unless i jumped it. Bought a battery then an alternator before i found that a $12 voltage regulator would have solved the no start problem the trans wouldn't shift because the 2 speed it had shifted by vacuum and it had a vacuume leak the brakes i rebuilt the wheel cylinders changed the master figured out it was the proportioning valve lot of $$ can be save by just looking and cleaning good luck and have fun:thumbsup:

I agree on the shift linkage your low and reverse clutches should be the same clutch pack so if you have low but no reverse it would almost have to be the shifter. I did open a trans up once that didn't have any forward or reverse gears and the shop foreman had looked it over and couldn't see a thing wrong with it the clutches had plenty of material and everything else looked good. After about an hour scratching my head I saw it and couldn't believe it out of all the clutch packs in the whole transmission all 588 per clutch not that many but a bunch of the spline teeth were gone, slick as a whistle someone played throw it in reverse at about 60 mph. LOL :D

All of the guys on here are great help really, I have used them many times :thumbsup:, but one thing you should definitally do for yourself in the near future is buy a repair manual. Should run around $20 and will pretty much tell you how to take out and put back in everything that is stock. It is really nice because as much help and as active as everyone on here is it really sucks to have to take a few hours off the project while you wait for someone to answer that little question of something that is giving you a hold up. I am also young... Turn 19 this week, and as for the father son thing.... if ya got the repair manual there aint no fighting about the right and wrong way to do it because the book will solve all that :yes: just my thoughts.

Hendi

thanks for the tips.
I probably will go out and buy a manual this weekend.
For now i have no more questions i guess

If you haven't gotten the back seat out yet, there are two clips underneath the front of the back seat about 2 inches back and you have to grab the bottom of the seat and push down and back hard and then lift up and out to unhook from the latches. If you were to divide your seat into 3rds, the hooks are slightly outboard of where the outer 3rds would meet the center 3rd.

By the way, Reverend Johnny, do you mind if I use some of that???? :confused: Dat some good stuff! :yes: