Project Lawless Darkness '68 Duece

[Heavy Evy]

I figure since its a boring Saturday night in frozen Salt Lake City I would start a build thread for my Nova. I looked far and wide for a decent chev car in my price range and I came up empty everytime untill that faithful day. I had just gotten back from looking at a 71 Nova in Idaho falls, Idaho that was a complete bust and a waste of gas but atleast I got out of the state for a few hours. When I got home I checked the local classifieds just for the chance I missed something. There were 3 new ads and one was for a 68 Chevy II. I clicked it and read the brief article saying "68 nova has 350 runs but needs work" That was all the ad said and the guy didn't even have a picture up on the ad so I figured it was a complete pile like all the other ones I found but I took the chance and gave him a call that same day I drove 50 miles to check it out and fell in love. When I first got there I was like a kid in a candy store. The Nova started right up and ran like a dream but it needed u joint straps to be driven. I looked under the car at the rearend and noticed it was a 12 bolt he said it was posi too (score!) and that it had front disc brakes (double score!) after some more gandering and talking about the car and all the extra parts that came with it I made him an offer and he excepted. I left some money so he would hold it and I came back a week later with my trusty 71 C20 and trailer and we carted her home. The first thing I did to the duece was get some u joint straps so I could actually drive it around. The main problem with this car was the rear quarter panels. The left rear had rust removed but no metal put back in so I could reach into the trunk with my hand with no problem. The body work was first priority so I ordered new panels from a local resto company. My buddy is a really good body guy and has won several awards for his work so I had a guy who knew what the hell he was doing put on my new skins.

[Heavy Evy]

Heres the nova the day I first saw it. Notice the rear quarter panel hole

[Heavy Evy]

I have done lots more work since I first brought this beast home. After I got the quarter panels done I pulled the 350 in favor of the 383 stroker in my C20. After the swap the motor would never run right so I re did the top end with aluminum heads rpm airgap intake and a bigger cam. I got everything all together when a head bolt stripped and messed up the block. I stopped working on the engine for awhile and sold the dopey 4 inch fiberglass cowl hood to fund other parts. The hood on the car now is off a 72 nova. The original hood with louvers is in storage because it needs alot of work.

[Heavy Evy]

a few more old pics

[Heavy Evy]

I forgot to mention before I pulled the 350 out I drove the car to Vegas to see some of my favorite bands (Nile and Immolation if you were wondering) The 350 TH400 and 12 bolt with 4.10 gears combo is not the most highway longhaul friendly but I did it and we made it there and back. The car got hot one time while idling in downtown traffic in Vegas but that was the only hiccup. Earlier this year I bought a 350 engine and th400 trans off the local classifieds. I took the tranny to a trusted shop to have it checked and gone through. The owner of the shop called me a day later and said this tranny was pretty much new and built to the hilt. He asked what I payed for it I said 150 which was the truth he says you got a new tranny for less than 200 bucks we just need to re seal it. So 200 bucks total and I got a new tranny for the nova. The turbo 400 that was in the car when I bought it had a broken case and would leak fluid. The 350 I bought was out of a late 70's nova and appeared in good shape. I tore the topend off and added my high lift cam with the aluminum heads and rpm intake. I bolted the engine up to the trans and dropped her in. The motor ran decent but not to full pontential. I tuned the carb a little and re adjusted all the valves but after a few days it started leaking oil like a siv. I cannot figure the oil leak on this thing it only does it when it wants too and that is where I am now. I put this thing on the back burner for almost a year cause I have been so pissed at all the hard work that just back fired on me. I almost sold it over the summer but to no avail and probably for the best since I'll never find another one like it but now I have calmed down and have bigger and better plans for this duece. Stay tuned......

[Narxoleptic Customs]

Always a gremlin in em somewhere... Keep it and just work on it little by little Luke u have been. Good luck and keep us posted, we r pulling for ya.
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[Heavy Evy]

A few more pics of the pile. Notice the oe hood (trashed) Things are starting to brew this weekend.....

[Heavy Evy]

and the hoopty 350 I built......

[Heavy Evy]

Things are starting to pick up for the duece. I picked up some rims today locally for a steal and I'm getting the new motor I picked up 3 weeks ago ready to run with a full head of steam. Stay tuned...

[spudz]

sweet man keep us updated. 68s are kind of a bastard. I have two 68s a 69, 70 and a 72.

[Heavy Evy]

Cleaned up the motor today and getting it ready for paint. I know what you mean about these prick 68's its a good thing I can be a prick back.

[KShortell]

Cool project! Those were the Novas that I liked the look of BEST.

[Heavy Evy]

Painting today and started cleaning up the new rims.

[yunkyarddog]

dam dude keeping busy

[Dstoltenberg]

Double rad!
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[Heavy Evy]

It was a nice sunny 60+ degrees in SLC yesterday so I got some stuff done on the Nova. Motor is ready to come out just need to drain the antifreeze and unbolt the bellhousing.

[Heavy Evy]

Well it was fun while it lasted but I sold this rig to a good home. He will be able to do more with it than I ever could and the money I got out of it will help fund my other rigs. Thanks for all who followed! You can check out my belair build to see where the cash goes. Cheers!