71 Chevy Nova

It’s been a long time since I’ve had some work done on the Nova but I finally got it back up and running. Here is what was done.

• Electrical drain was traced back to automatic door locks. those have been removed so they will no longer cause the problem.
• Engine running horribly was traced back to a vacuum leak and the timing. Plug was put in place and engine was tuned.
• Linkage on carburator was moved to correct position so I now have 100% of the throttle.
• Bolts tightened up on the transmission pan.

I owe it all to Master Body Works in Leesburg, GA. Buddy was able to figure out all of the problems and get them resolved quickly! These guys rock.

I got the Nova back and it seems to be in much better condition. The transmission oil pan isn’t leaking anymore. The battery isn’t draining like it was. And the starting problem seems to be resolved … from a new ignition switch. Hopefully this will solve all of the problems so I can get back to driving it more often. Jenn and I miss taking it out on the weekends and we would only take it to the store and back. Now we might be able to take it on a trip some where.

I do have to had it to the guys at Purvis Auto Repair, they did a great job and I appreciate it.

Purvis Auto Repair
1605 Camp Lane
Albany, GA 31707
229-420-5707
Map it

Water Pump: Napa 43099

I dropped the Nova off in the shop to get the transmission oil pan fix so it will stop leaking and to have the starter replaced. The car was dropped off on 11 June 2010. I got a call that the car was ready today. Right before I was about to leave to go pick it up the shop called me and told me that they were finishing up on it and a chunk of the water pump busted off.

So now I’m waiting to hear back about the water pump and that whole deal. I was really hoping to have the car back, but I suppose that’s how these things go. Old cars are money pits and when one thing is wrong, there are bound to be other issues.

So the starter still clicks every once in a while when trying to start the car after driving it. Sometimes it will click for about 10 minutes, and other times the car fires up the 2nd time I try and turn it over. So the next step was to order a starter since the heat shield didn’t do anything.

Mini High Torque Starter: Summit Racing SUM-820323

I also ordered a transmission pan gasket. I’m hoping to have the one hole re-threaded so I don’t have that minor leak out of it anymore.

Transmission Pan Gasket: Mr. Gasket 8695

I’ve noticed that when the car is cold it will fire right up.  However, when the car is hot all I get from the starter is a clicking noise.  This is only if I’ve driven, then parked for a few minutes and tried to start it back up.  Like going to the store or going to get gas.  But if the car has had enough time to cool down then it will start up just fine.  I did some research on Steve’s Nova Site and found out it’s called heat soak.  So I ordered a heat shield for the starter in hopes that it will block enough of the heat to

Starter Heat Shield: Thermo-Tec THE-14150

I’m also moving and wanted to top off the leaky transmission so I bought some more transmission fluid and will top it off.  I need to take it in and see if I can get that fixed so I don’t have to worry about it anymore.

Transmission Fluid: Dexron-III/Mercon

Last night I tried to start the Nova up and the battery was drained.  I’m not really sure what the problem is, but I need to figure it out because having the jump the Nova every time I take it out is getting old.  Once the Nova was jumped I noticed a squealing sound.  I popped the hood and noticed the power steering pump belt has jumped over a rib and is starting to tear apart.

I replaced the belts this morning, squeal is gone.  As for the draining of the battery I have removed the alarm from the car, it was fubar to begin with.  I also unhooked the radio because my brother told me it was giving him weird issues when he drove the car.  So who knows, just trying different things here till I figure out what is causing the draining of the battery.

On a side note, I looked at the fuel gauge and there are no wires running to it, no loose wires hanging by it, nothing.  They seem to have vanished like a fart in the wind.

Alternator Belt: 415K6 (original part number K060415)
Power Steering Belt: 335K5 (original part number K050336)

I think the alternator went out on the Nova.  It was only showing 12 volts at idle and the car didn’t have enough juice to even run the radio unless the RPMs were way up.  I found an alternator at O’Reilly’s and put it in.  However, the positive post on my old alternator was longer than the new one.  Had to take the alternator to an alternator repair shop and have them swap the posts out.  So now it fits and everything works.  Got it hooked back up to the car and it’s showing 13 volts at idle.  Still need to work on it, but seems like the alternator was part of the issue.

Alternator: Bestest Alternator 01-0039X

I finally installed the parts I mentioned in this post.  So far everything seems to be ok from the install.  My friend, Mike, and I got the parts on and set the timing at 12 degrees advanced.  Tomorrow we will tune the carburetor and then check the transmission for a leak.  Not sure where the leak is coming from but will hopefully find out tomorrow with the car on the lift.

Last night the battery was dead on the Nova when I tried to start it.  I took it down to O’Reilly Auto Parts and they tested it.  Test came out ok and they said they could charge it.  During the charging the top blew off the battery.  So I had to purchase a new battery.

Battery: Super Start Premium 24/74-72

I decoded the VIN on my Nova with information found here: http://www.novaresource.org/v71.htm

114271W51878

The Division is: Chevrolet
The Series is: Nova V8
The Body Style is: 2 Door Sedan
The Year is: 1971
The Plant is: Willow Run, MI
The Sequence # is: 51878