The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop what year nova ?

what year(s) nova can i scavenge a front clip from to put under my 51 3600 chassis ?

thanks in advance

raf

I have heard most people use the older models, 68-69. They have rear steer design, the draw back is they are hard to find now days and they don't come with disk brakes. You may want to find something newer as parts will be earier to locate. Remember Pontiac, Olds and Buick share many of the same componets. A good start would be to do a search on this subject and see what is pulled up.

try a early 70's 2 wheel drive truck front clip ?

If I recall correctly, the '68-'75 Nova used the rear steer design, then went to front steer in '76. I wouldn't think parts would be too difficult, as many swap with Camaro, Chevelle/Malibu, and even S-10. I do knw one of the other reasons for the earlier subframe is that it's a little narrower than the later ones. They fit better under an AD truck.

I used a 74 nova under a 53 I built years ago. And yes up to 75 had rear steer.

Mine's a 72Nova,rear steer with disc brakes.The drawback to rear steer is the colum has to cant over slightly to line up,only room for one universal.

1974 was the last year for rear steer.

forget the nova clip and invest in a mustang II for the time you will have the truck it is a good investment. a little pricey up front but for the long haul a good bet. every thing new and serviceable and some come as a bolt on unit. IMHO. i have a pacer ifs on mine but it was put on 20 years ago and the mustang was not in wide use at the time. i have put two power racks on it and if i have to do it again i will change to the mustangII. ron

Camaro's work fine too. But just remember with any subframe to make sure that you wont run into tire clearance issues.

the front steer novas were from 75-79. it may be wide for your truck though, and it is the same as the camaro sub.

i hear monte carlo (g-body?) subs are narrower and may work better

I have a Mustang II in my 54 and in my 40. Thats the only way to go IMHO...

I'm with WE b OLD. I think the MII is the way to go. I have 1 of each. My 53 has a Camaro front steer, my 48 has a MII. I haven't driven the 48, but it's clean simple and the width is perfect if you want a low truck. I drive my 53 and it has a front steer Camaro/Nova. It rides great, but the set up is more complex, it's too wide for a low truck, and harder to put the bumper on. I used 5" wheels and really still can't get it as low as I want without the tire hitting the fender in turns. Do not use a rear steer. I've seen the set up and it doesn't work right. You'll have to put the column at a weird angle and it looks like sh*t. Before everyone tells me how wrong I am, let me say, I've done all 3 and this is my opinion.

MII's are fine, I've been using them since they made the 1600 OHV Pinto. Used the actual setup from the Pinto and MII and made our own strut rod eliminator. What is not good with them is they have limited travel so you have to use springs that will keep the shock from over extension or bottoming out. This is fine on street cruisers but a problem on a truck that will see off road or heavy hauling service. Don't get channel minded when building your ride and sometimes think outside the box. Here is a picture of a rear steer setup that leaves the steering column in the exact factory position and has been trouble free for nearly 30 years. A double roller chain will wind a 3/4 steering shaft up into a pretzel and never feel the strain. Scroll down to the blue 51 GMC--second picture. http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d41/coilover/