1970 Chevy Nova L 78 396
February 25th, 2015, 08:51 AM
#1
1970 Chevy Nova L 78 396
Real Deal 1970 L78 Nova SS, documented and original drivetrain.
Has sYc DNA : )
Very original and solid car, you decide to repaint or freshen it up.
I'm told it is mechanically strong with a recent engine rebuild, but too cold to drive it and too snowy for pictures.
Better pics coming soon.
$36,500.00 or trade.
Has sYc DNA : )
Very original and solid car, you decide to repaint or freshen it up.
I'm told it is mechanically strong with a recent engine rebuild, but too cold to drive it and too snowy for pictures.
Better pics coming soon.
$36,500.00 or trade.
June 23rd, 2015, 06:13 AM
#11
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mo-Ray-Al, K-Bec.
Posts: 1,815
Some advice. You need to get those dents in the rear dealt with if you expect interest at over $35k friend. A paintless repair guy should be able to deal with them in short order. Incredible that you've kept that early Unibody in such clean condition otherwise. The 70 Nova we had was completely destroyed in not much more than a decade. When the bumper literally fell off in '84 we scrapped it for $50. Also, wipe off the scrap yard yellow writing on the door. Nobody needs to see that.
Good luck, and thanks for the memories.
Good luck, and thanks for the memories.
July 1st, 2015, 02:06 PM
#12
Thanks for your advise. With original unrestored cars, I like to leave them alone as much as possible so that the next cartaker can decide what to do with the car. The dents on the decklid are from towing a snowmobile and part of the history of the car.
A good dent buster guy should be able to remove those as well as some of the others.
Regards,
A good dent buster guy should be able to remove those as well as some of the others.
Regards,
July 1st, 2015, 03:59 PM
#13
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Posts: 1,190
Super Neat!
Column shift automatic (400TH presumably) must be pretty rare.
Everyone I remember seeing back in the day was a 4-speed.
Didn't the L-78 Novas have a "396" emblem above the front fender marker light?
I have a close friend who bought one new and it had the "396" emblem.
Column shift automatic (400TH presumably) must be pretty rare.
Everyone I remember seeing back in the day was a 4-speed.
Didn't the L-78 Novas have a "396" emblem above the front fender marker light?
I have a close friend who bought one new and it had the "396" emblem.
July 2nd, 2015, 09:30 PM
#15
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Posts: 1,190
In 1970, the 396's were actually .030" over from the factory making them 402's,
but, they still called them 396's.
Not sure if that's true for the lower compression 2-bolt main engines though.
May have been just the 4-bolt main L-78's.
July 2nd, 2015, 09:48 PM
#16
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,620
If you think that's confusing, then you should see what badges 402-equipped Chevelles had - 400!
And then there was a 400 small-block too....
Interestingly, L78 Nova production was always higher than its less-power L34 396 variant.
And then there was a 400 small-block too....
Interestingly, L78 Nova production was always higher than its less-power L34 396 variant.
July 3rd, 2015, 06:26 AM
#17
Yes, all 1970 model year 396s were actually 402s. Low and high HP.
SS Chevelles received the 396 emblems same as all SS cars while some plain Malibus with the Big Block received 400 emblems.
These engines were rated at 425 hp when released and this one hit 430 hp on engine dyno.
SS Chevelles received the 396 emblems same as all SS cars while some plain Malibus with the Big Block received 400 emblems.
These engines were rated at 425 hp when released and this one hit 430 hp on engine dyno.
July 3rd, 2015, 06:28 AM
#18
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Posts: 1,190
Yes, all 1970 model year 396s were actually 402s. Low and high HP.
SS Chevelles received the 396 emblems same as all SS cars while some plain Malibus with the Big Block received 400 emblems.
These engines were rated at 425 hp when released and this one hit 430 hp on engine dyno.
SS Chevelles received the 396 emblems same as all SS cars while some plain Malibus with the Big Block received 400 emblems.
These engines were rated at 425 hp when released and this one hit 430 hp on engine dyno.
the L-78's were rated at 425HP and had hydraulic lifters.
The '66 and newer L-78's were solid lifter cams.
There was a handful of 396 Novas around here back in the day,
but, they were all L-78's and 4-speeds, at least as far as I knew.
I stayed pretty "on top" of what was around here back then.
Last edited by 67442nut; July 3rd, 2015 at 06:55 AM.
July 3rd, 2015, 02:07 PM
#19
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,620
Don't remember ever seeing a low compression 396 Nova.
From 1968-70, there was the 396/350 and 396/375.
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