I found a 78 nova with a 6 cyl and a th350 for a really good deal. My question is is this a good subframe canidate for my 50 chevy?
78 has the wide track and front steer. It's been done but looks hokey to me with the excessively wide track in a narrow 50 chevy. I've used this very subframe in my kid's 50 ford coupe after taking 3 inches outta the middle but it then requires block-hugger headers on a smallblock to clear the narrowed subframe rails...if it isn't narrowed, the shorty A-arms are available but expensive...like $700 for both sides. Some guys keep it wide and use S-10, 4X4 wheels with their negative offset to clear the fenders but be careful of tierod clearance and keeep in mind, these wheels are pretty.........oogly.
That Nova is essentially the same as the 70-81 Camaro, as Rocky said it is wide and front steer. The front steer can create steering box clearance issues with your radiator, and the bigger problem is the width. Look for a 67-69 Camaro/68-72 Nova as they are rear steer and a littel narrower. Or get the S-10 front clip from a cheap 2WD, it will be plenty narrow.
...if the price is rite, you can use the motor/trans/rear-end...those Chev sixes are bulletproof,...then sell the front subframe to someone clipping a 53 or later F-100 or 55up Chevy pickup as these clips work well in those.
It does have a 6 cyl with a th350 in it. I have been looking for options for engines for my 50 chevy with a 216. What size is this 78 six and how does it bolt up will it fit in my 50 chevy? Could the whole drivetrain, engine, trans, rearend be a swap for my 50?
i've had four different 78 Novas with the six cylinder engine...great cars...run forever! The engine is a 250 cubic inch cousin to the earlier 194 and 230 sixes from the 60s. The 292 truck six is a taller deck version of the 250. A 250 will litterally run forever, no matter HOW hard you try to kill it! By 78, the 250 used the integral head, with the intake manifold cast into the cylinder head instead of the earlier bolt-on manifold. There's 'experts' that will tell you this design is flawed and prone to mysterious cracks, but I've owned lots of Nova, and two F-body cars (one Camaro, and one Firebird) with integral head 250 engines and not one of them ever exhibited a cylinder head/intake manifold problem. The 78 250 will also have an internally regulated alternator and an HEI distributor...which will simplify wiring the engien to work in your Chevy with a 12v system. The engine, trans and rear axle will fit in you Chevy, but radiator/fan clearance will be kinda tight unless you subframe it...but it can be done. If you want your Chevy to be super reliable, then this is a great drivetrain choice! It won't be a race car, but it'll be VASTLY better than the 216 six!!!
I only clicked on this because of the 250-6. It is absolutely bullet-proof! If it is something you would consider for your project, DO IT! It's an amazing motor/trans/3rd member combo, and will get great mileage. The integral head 6's are vastly underestimated, and it's something I've been looking for locally for my project! Good luck with yours!
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