1970 L78 Nova?
 

Hello everyone. I drop in once in a while but this is my first post. I recently bought a 1970 Nova SS that was said to be a L34 4-speed car with the incorrect engine. Chevelles are what I follow and own so I did some research before looking at the car and was convinced that it was a real Big block car. The owner and I struck a deal and I brought the car home yesterday. My question is without documentaion and the original engine, is it possible to determine if it was an L78 or L34 car? The car has the numbers matching M-21 and CBT coded 12-bolt rear. It has a single fuel line and was built the first week of October 1969. The car is Cranberry Red with Black bucket seats. What looks to be the original tune-up label lists it as a 402-350 HP. Any tell-tale signs to look for? Thanks, Troy

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

L78 car will have the single 3/8 diameter fuel line. If the car has a factory tachometer in it the red line for the L78 car will be higher, 6,500 VS. 5,500 for the L34 car.

Other than this there is not much more to delineate between the two on horsepower settings. There are other clues to delineate a big block car vs. small block but that's about it...

If you do have an L34 car I can tell you it is more rare than an L78. They made less of them in 70... Seems odd but true Approx. 1,802 L34 units VS. 3,765 L78 units.

Also the L78 car would have had a smog system but the L34 would not have in 1970.

Rich

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

The car has a single 3/8 fuel line from the tank to the engine. No tach, so that doesn't help. The original engine is long gone so no signs of a smog system. I guess it really doesn't matter with the original engine gone. I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity I guess. Thanks for the reply.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

.I wonder if it came with aluminum heads
... maybe an L89 ? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Pull the rear seat bottom. It may have a broadcast sheet in the springs. Earl

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

The car came with 2 broadcast sheets but nothing like what I would call a build sheet that lists the selling dealer and all the equipment the car was built with. I had the back seat out and found nothing there. I may pull the backs off the bucket seats and take a look.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

I would be very surprised to find anymore paper work in that car. I would start doing ownership research you might have some luck with that approach.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Whatever engine it had, that's a nice looking Nova!

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

70 Nova build sheets(acually those are Fischer bodysheets) do not denote engine code, L78, L34 L48 etc. like the 69 sheets did

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: John</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
.I wonder if it came with aluminum heads
... maybe an L89 ? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] </div></div>

You never know anymore!!......... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Nice Tiger Paws!

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

That's a nice looking Nova. It does seen unusual for it to have a single 3/8 fuel line that looks original if it's a factory L34. Also seems unusual that it has a M21. M20 was the default trans which meens the M21 was ordered. While the L78 cost more, the insurance was the same back then. Keep digging. There's a story here to tell.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

My guess would be that you have an L78 car due to the single fuel line and also because you generally see more of those than L34 cars due to the production #s...

Rich

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

I wonder what the reason for not putting an engine code on the 70 build sheet?

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

The 3:55 posi rear end was pretty much standard in the 375hp cars. I know it was an option on the 350hp but most of them I have seen with the 3:31 rear. How about the pulleys?

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr.Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seems odd but true Approx. 1,802 L34 units VS. 3,765 L78 units.</div></div>

Actually 1864 L-34 1970 Novas were assembled,but still fewer then the L-78.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1969l78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wonder what the reason for not putting an engine code on the 70 build sheet? </div></div>

I would guess because that's the Fisher Body trim broadcast sheet.Only things related to the trim and it's provisional hdwe. were noted on it.
Chevrolet took care of the engine.
Very few if any &quot;get it ready for this specific engine&quot; provisions were noted/needed on it,cause it didn't concern them.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Post a pic of the backside of the fuel line retaining clip[s] after removing them , and the area of the frame that was covered by the clips. Look for blue on the back side of the clip and super clean as new black paint where the clip use to be.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

That there is a nice looking Nova you have.Cranberry Red is a great color,i should know for my 72 SS is that color also.Chances are, you have a original L78 Nova,but keep digging.Hey Rick,where did you get the number of 1864 from?? All the info i have seen said 1802 L34's built for 1970. That's a new one on me.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Tonawanda 1970 vehicle records report.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">L-34</span>
A body-51,437
F body-1802
X body-1864

<span style="text-decoration: underline">L-78</span>
A body-2144
F body-600
X body-3765

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kwhizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: John</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
.I wonder if it came with aluminum heads
... maybe an L89 ? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] </div></div>

You never know anymore!!......... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] </div></div>

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img]

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

I wouldn't go off of the fuel line only. My father in law's 70 SS Nova was ordered with a 350/ 300 hp and a 4 speed, but came with a single 3/8 fuel line.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Rule of thumb is solid lifter cars had a single 3/8's fuel line and hyd.lifter cars had a return line,small and big blocks with hyd.lifters.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

I took some photos of one of the clips and the bolt that holds it to the cradle. It does appear that it was blue but I post some pictures if I ever get my phone and internet back up at home. It's been out since at least Saturday morning. I see that there is a Blue '69 SS 350 on Ebay right now that appears to have a single 3/8 fuel line. It looks to be a fairly original car from the pictures, but again I'm not a Nova guru by any means. I'm not trying to create a story here, just curious as to what it may have been. I may try to search some previous owner history as was suggested and see what I can dig up. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

I see your Nova was built at the WillowRun plt.My two Novas also were built there,a 72 L48 and 70 L34 and both have a return line.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: russgt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wouldn't go off of the fuel line only. My father in law's 70 SS Nova was ordered with a 350/ 300 hp and a 4 speed, but came with a single 3/8 fuel line. </div></div>

Are you from/ was the car purchased new in Waukesha? Do you have any other details on the vehicle? Color Rear gear... photos?

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Weren't all Novas built in the Willow Run plant? All the ones I have done VIN search's on have been.
Also, my 71 has a single 3/8 fuel line, but it was a Rally V-8 auto from the factory. The fuel line might be one verifier, but not solely.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mayhem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Weren't all Novas built in the Willow Run plant? </div></div>

Novas were built at Willow Run for all years. 67 - 71's were Willow Run only. Earlier and later could be Willow Run or other plants.

Greg

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Hey Greg,
Any thought on the fuel line issue??

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Here is a picture of the fuel line clip and the tune-up label.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Almost makes me wonder if someone grabbed the wrong sticker. The clip looks about as original as they come.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

Yes,it sure looks original.I find very interesting why some cars had a return line and some didn't.All the Novas i have looked at over the years had a return line with hyd.lifters.Maybe it was a west coast thing?? It would be nice if somebody had the answer.

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

I believe the return line was a Q-Jet issue and not necessarily a mush lifter cam issue but..........

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: firstgenaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: russgt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wouldn't go off of the fuel line only. My father in law's 70 SS Nova was ordered with a 350/ 300 hp and a 4 speed, but came with a single 3/8 fuel line. </div></div>

Are you from/ was the car purchased new in Waukesha? Do you have any other details on the vehicle? Color Rear gear... photos? </div></div>

Yep, bought new at dale chevy. Sunflower yellow, 3.31

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photo...11954_7031.jpg

Re: 1970 L78 Nova?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BLACKLS5</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The car came with 2 broadcast sheets but nothing like what I would call a build sheet that lists the selling dealer and all the equipment the car was built with. I had the back seat out and found nothing there. I may pull the backs off the bucket seats and take a look. </div></div> Those are broadcast cards. Two are usually found with two different colored inks

i recently bought a 70 ss numbers match 396 auto console buckets . cortez silver 331 posi 350 hp . oval port motor ,but has 6500 red line . ?????fuel system has filter in front of water pump . if that helps . tom

Looks like a twin to my car!

Two fuel lines....interesting.

I have never bought a solid lifter car with a return line. I did not think they existed.

Paul

Bergy, Mine never looked that good. Sweet ride you have there...

I would guess it was a factory mistake on the tach unless someone replaced the original.