Motor, Transmission , cross-member connection.

[MJSorvillo]

I just bought a 72 Nova 350. It seems that work was done on the engine and trany. As a result, the engine is sitting to low and to far back in the well.

The car runs and everything is basically in good shape, but what do I need to do to get the motor in the right spot. The distributor cap is butted right up against the wall.

Long story short, I need some help and wonder if anyone has dealt with this type of thing.

[Dave B.]

Originally Posted by MJSorvillo

I just bought a 72 Nova 350. - - - The distributor cap is butted right up against the wall.
Long story short, I need some help and wonder if anyone has dealt with this type of thing.

First question is: Does it have an H.E.I. distributor? '74 and earlier Novas weren't designed for H.E.I.s, and when they're used on those cars, they sit right against the firewall. If you're not sure, snap a photo of it, upload it to Photobucket or a similar site and post a link to it. I'll try to log on tomorrow (Wednesday, 5/29/13), but I may not have internet service for several days after that...

[MJSorvillo]

Here's the deal. I'm a construction guy, so I figure "I've built houses, roads, bridges, etc... How hard could fixing an old car be?" Didn't realize that building is a tech, thousands of years old... while engines... only a few hundred. It's like a mechanic saying "Hell, I can fix anything. Maybe I'll give computer programming a whack?"

Anyway, It's a pretty big learning curve, but I'm getting it, and yes, it does have an HEI on it. Since the first post I did a lot of digging around and found out about how you have to "massage" the fire wall, though I haven't done that yet, and I don't know if I like the sound of it.

Other random questions I have: I found all the numbers on the engine that I could and looked them up on Wikipedia and nastyz28.com. The confusion is that the number on the bottom of the block, passenger side just above the starter is 8 L 30. Wikipedia says that that's a Vortec 305.9 cu in engine. The engine code that's on the top, drivers side, near the break boost is 3970010. Found that that is a '1968-1980 350 engine. The full code on the front, top, passenger side, behind the alternator (K1201TBD). Nastyz28 says that that means, St. Catherines, Ontario, Dec, 1st, 350 from a 70's chevy truck.

So, what gives? Is Wikipedia just wrong? Or is this thing a Frankenstein? Bottom is a 305 Vortec (maybe bored out) and the top end is from a 350, out of a C-10 pick up, built in Canada?

Thanks for responding. Any and all help would be appreciated.

[jamesslcx]

May have to creatively dent the firewall for more clearance for the dist. Sounds like you do have a Frankenstein engine but if it runs goods I wouldn't worry too much. Mess with old cars much and you see that a lot. Good luck.