$500 Nova, Will it RUN and DRIVE After 24 Years Parked?
Finding a CHEAP V8 project car is tough, and this $500 Nova was a bit of a gamble. Will it start after 24 years parked? If it does, my gamble pays off...if it doesn't, I'll probably just haul it off for scrap or re-sell it. I bought it basically sight unseen, and it came with an extra engine and a bunch of parts. Usually, when a car is parked for so many years, and comes with an extra engine, that's a bad sign. But I had a good feeling that we could get this thing running again after checking it over in our last video.
Even though the body is rusty, the engine looks to be complete and it's hard to beat the reliability of a tried and true small block Chevy engine. Even though this isn't a desirable 350ci engine, the little 305 was a tough workhorse for the time. This one features a two-barrel carburetor, and it's backed by a TH350 automatic transmission and 2.41 gears out back.
In this video, I try to crank this old car. I don't rebuild the carburetor. I don't replace any ignition parts. I never even pulled the spark plugs out of it! I just wanted to pour some gas down the carburetor, hook up a hot battery and see what happened. The results are satisfying because this thing is proving to be a promising project car. Overall I spent $100 in addition to the $500 purchase price. I haven't had this much fun for $600 in a long time!
These fourth generation Novas (1975 through 1979) don't get a lot of respect from the old car community, but they're really growing on me. I daily drive a 1977 Nova four door and this 1978 Nova two door is my latest obsession. I have some plans for both projects, but you'll have to wait and see how it all pans out.
#willitrun #abandoned #nova
1978 Nova Rescued: • ABANDONED Chevy Nova R...
Your little daughter is the star of the show, her enthusiasm just bubbles over, you sir are a blessed man. I think I would have washed the car first just to see what I had to work with. I literally hate trying to work on greasy, dirty cars with trash all about. Once the car started there was a lot of dirt and straw sucking down your carburetor. Can't wait to see what it looks like after you clean it up. I bought a 1961 Chevy Belair a few years ago that was sitting in a ditch, when we hooked a chain to it and pulled it out, the tire treads came off the tires because they were stuck to the black clay we have in Texas. I had never seen that before!
I am definitely blessed! I agree that a clean up would've been better before hand, but I was just too excited to see if it would fire off. I never imagined it would run so good though.
I absolutely agree, IF that was me and my daughter I just bought her her first car..... and let her help work on fixing it up. I just bought a 75 Nova in pretty much the same condition although I live in the desert in Northwestern Arizona and the FIRST thing I did was give it a deep bath so I could see what I was working with before I even tried turning it over and getting it running. working on a nasty dirty car just kills my motivation because a clean car shows me that it's on it's way, That's STEP #1 because you can't get a TRUE look at what needs fixed while it's covered in dirt and grime, like it that dirt and grime on the fuel lines or is it bubbling rust with a big ole hole? the world will never know until it's clean.
@@HotRodHoarder yeah wood not sit in that car tooo long without a hazmat suit on..yuckkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
New subscriber here, watched Joshs video on the junkyard trip you and him took! He has mentioned you in many videos so I figured since he respected you that much that you definitely deserve the viewers! Now....gonna go binge watch some Hot Rod Hoarders! Thank all you guys for what you do to keep us guys that are unable to do this anymore, whether it be from a disability or depression or whatever keeps you homebound or unable. We really appreciate being able to follow you all!
That's awesome, thank you Dwayne! Josh and I have been friends for going on 20 years nows (long before we had KZhead channels). We have both tossed ideas back and forth for our channels and we just love this stuff. Thank you for checking out my channel!
Quite a steal at that price including the parts! I got my duster for $800 6 years ago and I haven’t seen any less than $1200 ever since. Great nova and glad it’s saved!
I'm definitely feeling good about the price now. I've always liked Dusters...definitely getting hard to find!
@@HotRodHoarder power wash that relic but a great find put a sway bar on rear and upgrade shocks
That's a steal....at gunpoint!!! Down south that's 2500.00
@@HotRodHoarder yes I'm jealous, but very happy. For you I bought a 1972 Nova brand new at 21 good luck I'll be watching God bless.
$225 PER TON that's what it worth here in Indiana Ugliest excuse for a nova ever
I believe you need to fix it up for that Pretty Young Lady that was helping with the work and support she gave you…
She loves these old cars! My four door '77 Nova daily driver is her absolute favorite car in the world.
You should see her Chevelle! If I had to choose between all the cars he has shown it would be a tough choice between his 4 door Nova and his daughter's Chevelle.
I'm interested in seeing it after a pressure wash great video
Big clean up video coming soon!
@@HotRodHoarder SHOP THE JUMKYARDS FOR BUCKETS AND A CONSOLE YOU MAKE IT A SUPER SPORT
Love the nova, looking forward to seeing the rebuild
Thank you for watching! Next video will be the clean up and huge transformation...should be pretty good!
First time viewer. I really enjoyed having family time with your cameraman it's nice to see a family working on a vehicle.I I'm aware there is no gas tank. the gas can is what is used I know, but it's too dangerous to have a child in the car with an open can of gas. different if you do it and burn yourself up but the child it's just negligence. Sorry to come down on you like that but that's just how I feel.
I appreciate the comment Vincent. I agree that it's not the safest option. I certainly would hate if something bad had happened with the gas jug in the floor board. I never want to do anything that could potentially hurt any of my kids. But I also want them to experience the fun and adventure that I did when I was a kid. Riding around in a bucket of bolts, barley hanging together enough to make it around the block. But I do agree that it wasn't a great call on my part.
Glad to see you involving your kids into the car projects . My grandpa and dad got me and my brother involved with cars. Now it's just me working on old cars when I can. When I have money and I'm in good health. Teach your as much as you can. Enjoy the time you have with them.
Thank you Michael, I love being able to share an interest with my kids, and enjoy these old project cars. My son is 2 years old, and I'm excited for when he can get involved.
I have a 78 2 door Fairmont that's one family owned. And just saved a 71 4door nova from the junk yard I work at. Still maintains the original driveline and protecto plate. Sat since 1999 and I had it running and driving in a few hours. Glad to see you save this nova
Very nice! Those Fairmonts are getting hard to find....neat cars.
Great Video & your daughter is an absolute peach! I remember when she made her first video appearance & all I could do was smile. She was so sweet & funny. You are blessed. Look forward to the upcoming videos on this one.
I am definitely blessed! Full clean up video coming soon, and you'll see (and hear) a lot of Carlee in that one haha.
@@HotRodHoarder Can't wait!
Wooww. One of the best last Chevy muscle car. Use to own one back in 1975. Loved the machine.
Appreciate the starter test tip sir. Keep doing what your doing I’ll keep watching.
Thank you for watching!
I think it’s awesome that you include your kids reviving old cars.well done
Thanks for watching!
That's awesome you got it running. Looking forward to seeing more of it. Love the older Novas
Clean up video coming soon!
I loved this.Itp reminded me of doing this stuff with my daughter.She is 21 now n not interested in watching dad work on his cars n take test rides with me.great video!
Oh man! Yeah, I'm embracing this time with my girl...hoping she'll always remember our good times with old cars.
Loved the video. Looking forward to following this project. Thanks again for all your great content. Cheers from Australia.
Thanks for watching Ernie!
Being a mechanic myself i enjoyed this video thanks for sharing ,i think this old girl would look amazing all done up and back on the road,stay safe and see u in your next video brother.
Just found your channel, and I'm really digging it. Love the history attached to cars. Looks like I have a bunch of videos to catch up on.
When the word catalytic converter was mentioned, I thought to myself that this must not be right. I had a 1977 Nova. Back in 1988 I did a complete customized restoration on the car from diamondback velour blue interior , midnight blue lacquer paint, engine rebuild. Even though the engine was a 305, I did have it bored out, just do not remember the specs since it had been so long ago. Did it all Edelbrock, down to the high volume oil pump to the 650 carb. THIS I do remember. I installed Hooker headers and made it straight dual exhaust with glass pack (this was done at a muffler shop). I was living in Texas at the time and the State requires yearly inspection for cars. The inspectors told me that the car did not qualify for converter due to the year the car was manufactured. Even they told me that at the muffler shop. I did a google search and it says converters first came out in 1975. I must be missing something here
I had one-off those in 1980. Loved that car and miss that car. Enjoy and keep working on it.
Thanks Bob, we're having fun with it!
Love this video, it brings back memories for me, my first car was a 78 Nova coupe like this one! Hope you can restore this car more and rebuild the engine. Need new seats and carpet obviously.
Enjoying this series on the Nova.
Thank you! Thought I'd switch it up a little and focus on one of our projects. It's been fun!
That’s amazing brother!!! I’m stoked for you!
Thanks for watching James!
I'm glad you got her running looking forward to the future videos on this car!☺
Thank you for watching! Stay tuned for a full clean up video next week!
Great old cars. My grandpa had one but his was a 1971. Your little girl seems like shes very smart and her social skills are awesome!
Thanks Greg! She is a lot of fun and always has something to say.
Unbelievable the way the car run and not only you got a deal on this nova but rarer color too and if you restore it these cars go for a lot of money but right here is the best moment with ur daughter working on the car and she is very smart kid. God bless.
Thank you, I hope to include my kids in more of my videos...they seem to enjoy it.
Such a slept on generation of novas…they have so much potential
Really awesome that it ran and drove. I kinda wondered why the previous owner parked it all those years ago. Doesn't seem like it has any major issues. Definitely worth fixing up! 👍 Maiden voyages are always scary. I remember when my brother took me for a ride in his 69 Camaro, the timing was off, the gas tank was leaking, among other issues but we managed to make it back home. 😄 Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to seeing where you go with this Nova.
Yeah, I'm not really sure why it was parked. Could've been a fuel system problem or cooling issue...not sure. I kept assuming I'd run into a major issue at some point but this turned out to be a fun project for us. Looking forward to picking away at it.
It was probally parked because of the fuel line, brake issues and the front seat. 20 years ago those 4th gen Nova's weren't worth more than a few hundred buck and putting $400-$500 in replacing the brake system, another couple hundred in the fuel system and a couple hundred for the new seat cover wouldn't have been worth it financially because these X bodies are just now becoming a viable platform to build on. 20 years ago these cars were just "old used cars" not worth much but today they are getting be a alternitive Muscle car build and GOOD classic Daily Drivers and your not just pissing out money by rebuilding them and getting nothing back by doing so. it's getting harder and harder to find the 72 and older 2 door cars to build because most of them have either been rebuilt already or they are rusted away and not a good base to do anything with so more and more people are buying the mid-late 70's car to build. 5 years ago noone in my car club had a mid-late 70's car but now there's 5, My 75 nova that I just bought last week, a 77 Grand Prix, a 73 Malibu, a 74 Maverick and a 78 Dodge Magnum. People are FINALLY seeing these car for what they can be instead of what they were.
What a great video! You’re a champ. The Nova savior. Pretty good fun for $600. I look forward to the follow up. Cool.
Thank you! Next week's video will be a full clean up...hoping this thing turns out cool.
I owned a '78 Nova with a 305 and a 4-speed, bought new. Much more zippy in my mind than in practice, but this video was a nice trip down memory lane. I brought the car to Germany in '83 and ran leaded gas through it (non-leaded not available in Germany at the time), destroying the cat, but I didn't care. That car was going to be left in Germany. And so it was. Thanks for a great video and a nice shoutout to your daughter who, I hope, has an interest in automotive mechanics down the line!
I like that body style of Nova that's pretty cool 20 years I think it's worth saving if it's getting that much effort out to run and drive after 20 years
Definitely rusty underneath, but I think it's worth saving.
@@HotRodHoarder SHOP THE JUNKYARDS throw in some camaro buckets console a 4bbl carb keep stock rims or swap on some 85-90 camaro alloy rims.....the 57 chevy of the 20's
Interior and plastic is gold
The plastics have turned to dust in certain areas...I'm assuming those areas are where the sun was beating in through the windows.
I love this video. It reminds me of the time a friend and I took an early 70s Rover that was stood, locked up and one wheel in the scrapyard. In an afternoon, we freed it off, got it cleaned up and polished (that served as the distraction to stop us from trying to mess while the engine was soaking), got the fuel pump going and had it turning over. 3 weeks later, it had a new clutch master cylinder, had been inspected and was a daily driver that would crack on for 100mph. It's still about somewhere. Brill work and love the family involvement in the video.
Nice! Gotta love a fun project like that.
Your daughter is a star. The way she pumped those brakes.
When the radio came on and the guy ushered the phrase 'dot com'... To think that was probably the first time that has ever resonated in that car! Great work. I can't wait for the clean up episode
I never thought of it that way! Clean up episode is gonna be great!
$500 well spent. Man I miss my 77 nova now!
Ahaha! 😂 that’s awesome man. It’s hilarious to watch you fix certain issues on it like your literally about to daily drive it the second it cranked over with the radio working. Make shift gas tank and all! 🤣 bought a nova where the owner said it didn’t run. Got it home, put gas in carb and it started right up. Daily drove it from that day and worked on it the weekends. 😅 I’m saying, that nova you got right there is a warrior for starting up after all those years sitting.
Like seeing your kid involved keep it up
Awesome video. You can always bleed the master cylinder just like you would a wheel cylinder/caliper. Pump and hold, crack the line, repeat. Might improve the pedal feel.
I may give that a try. Thanks!
New to the channel right outta the gate. This Nova, gotta be my favorite car of all time! Sending lots of lovin from Montana!🏁
Nice, thank you for watching! Stay tuned for a clean up video and more content like this.
Good buy. Motor sounds good. A lot of rust work to bring her back, but a pressure wash will make a huge difference. I'm looking forward to seeing future videos of work that you do on this car. Definitely worth saving in my opinion. Stay safe.
Clean up video coming this Friday....HUGE difference. I can't believe how good it runs and drives.
Good find . Looking foreword to seeing it cleaned up👍👍🎩
Thanks for watching Jon! Clean up video goes up at 5pm Eastern today.
I heard SLEEPERDUDE mentioned your name on a video where he bought a car or two from a junkyard that was crushing cars and you came up for recommendation video. Just subscribed. For long as the nova sat up that catalyst converter may be stopped up and Pressurized the engine and blow out the rear main seal. I had a 81 mustang that did just that. May you have a Blessed One Sir. Greetings from Silverstreet South Carolina. Looking forward to seeing the next video on this Nova.
Hey Eddie, thanks for checking out my channel and thanks for subscribing! I appreciate the tip on the catalytic converter. I'll be removing it pretty soon, because I'm certain that it's not flowing freely.
Nice. My 77 was an original silver with red interior. She's just about ready for paint .. can't wait for the next video..✌️
Awesome! Next video will be a major cleanup.
Makes me feel good that some people can appreciate and resurrected an old car.. this Nova is my mom's all time favorite car, she has a 76 Nova now.. I had to share your video with her..
Very cool! We had a good time bringing this thing back to life. Stay tuned for a clean up video.
@@HotRodHoarder Will Do !
Can't wait to see what it looks like when it's cleaned up I can't believe it started that good
Yeah I was pretty shocked that it just fired right off with no real prep-work. Clean up video is coming soon!
@@HotRodHoarder PUT THE KID TO WORK CLEANING AND THROWING OUT TRASH....SHELL BE DRIVING IT SOOON
Enjoyable watch , cant wait for the next one , greetings from the U.K
Thank you for watching Stephen!
Great video. I think you will be surprised at how well it will clean up. Better watch out your helper may fall in love with her and want it for her first car!
I can already tell she's liking it a little too much haha. She REALLY loves my '77 four door Nova daily driver.
love this kind of content,subscribed 👍👍
Thanks for watching and subscribing Ray!
Dude, work on it. Those cars are extremely reliable. My dad had one and gave it to me, it was a 1977 Nova Concourse. They have a 350 turbohydramatic transmission. I changed the 305 for 350. Header, 4 barrel, Lunati cam and when I just had it going great. A low life robbed it and took it for a joy ride. I sub already.
Nova enthusiast here and new to the channel. Really enjoy the content.
Thank you for watching Jeff!
HowDo..I used to have a 78 Nova as a stock car( limited sportsman) back in 1993 to 1996. Had some top 5 finishes and 5 wins in the old jewel, plus a couple of bad wrecks as well.The car had some good pedigree before I aquirred it from a street stock to a limited sportsman.Your car has a lot of potential and good luck on getting it roadworthy.✌️✌️
Wow that's cool! These Novas look awesome as stock cars.
Beautiful car sir. Glad you got it running
Thanks Tim!
Nice. Enjoyed!
Thanks for watching Dan!
Good work glad to see you had a little helper 👍🇦🇺
Yes sir, I enjoy having my helper by my side for this stuff.
Nice work!! Definitely has good bones to work with!!
Wait til you see it cleaned up! (video goes up at 5pm Eastern time today)
I can’t wait to see a video of you washing and cleaning it up I had a 78 Nova too that same beige color and it had a 305 two barrel carb but I had to give $800.00 for it the motor was about worn out but stilll ran good just had to put a quart of oil in it about every thousand miles !!!
We got a full cleanup video coming next week. Gonna be a big transformation!
Good work.. and yes you had a big smile that was well deserved...
$100 to get it running? Great! But you've got many more hundreds to go. It never ends and you never get your investment back EXCEPT in the Great feeling you get knowing that you restored it. Great car you have there. Enjoy and keep the little one with you when you work. It pays off like crazy. 👍👍👍👍😎
Haha, yeah I have several other projects, so I know this thing will be a money pit if I keep messing with it. I have a plan...
I love those Nova's had a 75 Hatchback 350 2B/L back in High School that car was fast for what it was cant wait to see how this one turns out.
These Novas are definitely growing on me. I never absolutely loved them, but they're great driving cars, and affordable. Clean up video coming soon!
Enjoyed the video.
Great video, and a cool save!!
Thanks Floyd!
Radio works ,you're ready to roll Love your videos keep it up.
Thanks Larry! That's the only vehicle in my whole collection that has a working radio. I was shocked.
Awesome video
Thanks for watching Jason!
I had a 79 Nova in high school. This took me back to mine, I’d love to find one for $500. The 305 gave out on me so I swapped in a 1968 327 that I hopped up. It was a lot of fun.
Kool ,can’t wait for the cleanup !!!
Clean up video should be finished by Friday. BIG transformation!
@@HotRodHoarder bam
Really cool video!
Thanks for watching Keith!
Love those Nova's. that one is in great condition considering. Totally worth fixing it up and making a driver out of it.
The clean up (video going up today at 5pm) really made a huge difference in this thing.
Nice 1983 Chevy Nova
Great job
Thanks for watching!
Love this. Keep it going!!!
Thanks Robert, clean up video will be posted on Friday...what a difference it made!
Good job man !!
Thanks for watching Johnny!
Great video 👍👍 hard to keep a good car down. Next video should be give it a good cleaning.
Yes sir, a FULL clean up is happening. We're gonna transform this thing with a good day of cleaning.
I had a 77 back in high school was a fun car
Can't believe how smooth it runs
This will be fun to follow along. My 1st car (back in 1985) was a 1977 Oldsmobile Omega with a Chevy 305. Omega was Olds flavor of the Nova. Buick had the Skylark and Pontiac had the Phoenix. I beat that car hard. Cracked a piston and installed a 350 with a 4 bbl and headers. Fun, Fast car.
I've always liked the BOP versions of the Nova platform. Hardly ever see them on the road any more.
My grandmother had one of those same interior red. Also my best friend in high school had a 76 nova, Tennessee orange with white interior, and it sounded great dude exhaust but I think it had the 350 in it.
Congratulations, you are brave!
I found a 79 hatchback it had a 6 cylinder and a 3 on the tree.The body and the interior was mint.It sat at a guys house for years and I finally saw the man standing in the front door.I stopped and ask if he wanted to sell it.A new battery and 800 bucks later it was back on the road.Loved that car, never locked it up no one knew how to drive it.LOL
Nice!! Wonder when Chevrolet quit making cars and trucks with 3 on the tree? Had to have been around '80 or so.
Will !be watching.👍
Omg! Only $500. This my favorite American car. One day I’ll find one 🙌🏼🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I'm surprised it didn't have the 8 track in it 😁 enjoy the tinkering my friend!!
Haha the previous owner must've upgraded in the '90s. I'm sure there's a receipt for the cassette player somewhere in the stack of papers that came with it.
She is such a pretty young lady! Proud of her papa! Great job!
Thank you Roxanne!
Great job! I've got a "76 Nova, same body. $th Gen. I think they call it. But it's got a 383 stroker 460 hp. Just a bit different.
Oh man, I bet that's a lot of fun!
Same color interior my 1977 Ventura had way, way back in High school.
Nice! GM loved red interiors back in the day.
That one was different but I really enjoyed it and you hanging out with your little girl, awesome dude, keep it up friend 👍👍👍👍👍✅✅✅✅✅
Thank you for watching Mark, we'll continue to have a mixture of different types of content. I still love the vintage drag car stuff and visiting old junkyards, so we'll have a good variety of stuff on the channel.
Great job Tommy Lee 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾
Thank you Tony, this has been a super fun project...I like working on junk.
I have the 77 Chevy Nova Concours white. Its a lowrider luv my car.😎
i like this vid a lot well done , but one thing i want to say is when you turn that motor over by hand to check if it's locked up, it's best to rotate the motor one full revolution by hand - that way you can hear and feel any stuck valves or push rods . just a tip
Yeah, I'm pretty impatient. I turned it a little more after I turned the camera off, but I should've definitely gone a full revolution. Lots of should've's with this one, but just happy that it fired up and moves under its own power again.
@@HotRodHoarder 👌i wondered if you did that off cam, and it is cool that she runs .
Beautiful old car Thank you God Bless
Thanks for watching Albert!
@@HotRodHoarder No problem thank Mr.Sleeperdude. God Bless
good score looks like it make a great project car
It'll be a good one. Pretty rusty underneath...I have some ideas though.
You and your daughter are pure gold.
There may be a ceramic or some kind of metal fuel filter inside the carburetor, where the fuel line meets the carburetor. Mine had one.
Yeah I know those 75 to 78 Novas, a low compression 305 2 Barrel, was very common, the later 77/78 could have came with a V6. My brother had one. That 3052 girl would run all day, but she'll smoke, the valve seats on aren't very good in those motors, it's a bit anemic. One thing it does have, is a really good Turbo 350 Transmission. A friend of mine in New Jersey named Melon, he drove the wheels off of a car just like this in high school. My ex-girlfriend had a Rally Sport, I know these cars well.
Gonna be a mighty good car with some tidy and odds and ends, new belts, hoses. Likely need a water pump and heater core soon from decay and time.
Oh yeah, all the rubber stuff needs replaced. I didn't think about the water pump, but I bet you're right...sitting there with coolant probably hasn't done it any favors.
Can’t wait to see this get pressure washed. I am looking forward to the transformation
New video goes up today at 5pm Eastern...big time transformation!
I just watch sleeper dude video you guys are the best you guys can get them going you guys are great with the kids l love watching your videos that nova is a runner keep up the good work and keep on keeping on
Thank you Tommy! Me and Sleeperdude have been friends for nearly 20 years, and have had a bunch of great times together.
Mate, I was rapt when it kicked into life at first turn of the key! Just proves you cannot keep an old Chevy down. The engine sounds better and better the more you run it and when you give her the tune-up, she'll be even better. I was watching the dash lights and that oil light and the alternator light went straight out as soon as she fire - cn't ask for better than that. New oil and she'll probably turn the light out on cranking. The starter - even though it looked like hell - sounded excellent when you spun her up in the driveway too, so only minimal parts to get her going and I reckon the tranny looks like it's coming around too - just gotta evict them wasps! The usual maintenance items for a long-term sitter and that thing will be a rolling restoration for sure! Hope her structure and the underneath is still solid after sitting all that time - I'd really love to see this thing come all the way back! She's an absolute beaut! All the best
This old Nova just keeps getting better and better. Gonna try to get the clean up video finished up and posted on Friday...wait until you see this thing after its transformation.
One of my favorite numbers especially if it's an RS
It's a bit of work, but it's going! Cool.
Definitely a little rough around the edges...