buying a NOVA, can anyone help?

[Ned Flanders]

Well Im new to this forum and kind of new to muscle cars in general so i have a few questions for you guys. I decided to get a nova a while ago but I dont know a whole lot a bout them. Ive found a few in my area that im interested in buying that are pretty reasonably priced. One is a 74 with a 454. But my question is, are there any things i should look for when i go to take a look at the car, I know it runs but are there any good questions to ask the owner ? THis is going to be my first muscle car so i plan on learning in time while i work with it. Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[Tomsriv]

Find out all the specs on the engine. What car is it out of, what is the compression, what kind of pistons and valve job, etc. Does it look like the owner took his time or just threw the car together? Its not uncommon to find nova's that are complete hack jobs. I went looking with a friend and we saw some pretty bad Novas. One seller told me, after I inquired about the electrical system, that it was fine and "all there". I get there and go to start it and he tells me to touch the two wires under the dash together. He also told me that the car had never been in an accident when I could plainly see that it had one 68-69 fender on one 70-72 fender (the marker lights are different).

Good electrical systems are a must for a reliable car. A hacked electrical system will waste a lot of your time that you could better spend power tuning.

Check the suspension bushings to see if they are cracked. A front-end rebuild will cost about $250 and take a weekend to complete, if your lucky.

Check the headers to see if they will need to be replaced. They might be flat on the bottom or have major spark plug clearance issues that would make them worth replacing. Power steering novas have a lot less clearance.

[Ned Flanders]

I called him once but only talked to him briefly, he said the engine was out of a truck but i cant remember what kind because it was a while ago that i talked to him. Are there any ways to know if the electrical system is good, or if its bad? Im probably gonna have to find someone who knows more than me to come with me when i go look at the car in person. But im hoping this car is legit because its just what i wanted and its in my price range.

[Musclecarclub]

I too am wary of true hack jobs. The engine is from a truck? Be sure that everything bolts up correctly. And definitely take someone that knows what to look for.

[Tomsriv]

Hopefully he got all the correct pullys to make it fit in the Nova. Some people just ditch the Power steering, and AC after and engine swap. They often don't set up the pullys correctly so the spacing from the fan to the radiator is all wrong.

A bad electrical system is one that has had lots of cuts and splices. If its not soldered its not good.

[Ned Flanders]

Ill definately find out about the pulleys and the electrical system thanks to you guys. Lets hope he did it right! If not ill just have to keep my eyes open for another nova.