L78 Nova needs to get out more

**BlackL78M22Nova** · #1 12-29-2016, 02:18 PM

It was 70 today in So Cal, I was on vacation and just got done reading a post about not driving the cars enough.

That was it. Went out to the garage and looked at my L78 Nova that had not got out enough recently. Pulled the cover, connected the battery, fired it up. Man it sounded good. Headed out for some light driving which is the norm. Decided to give the matching numbers engine a little more than the usual 2500 - 3000 RPM it has got used to over the years on the 19,000 original miles it has traveled. So headed to an open road near San Juan Capistrano and came to a stop. Reminded myself not to get too crazy here so I told myself I was going to hold at 4800 RPM which is nicely in the power curve. Dropped the hammer leaving a little rubber from the old polyglass and heard the loud whine of the M22, grabbed a hard 2nd at about 4500 and did the same for 3rd. The beast pulled so strong. Brought back memories of racing back at Dragway 42 in West Salem, OH. Kept the sanity and held off getting anywhere near the redline. Drove easy for another 20 miles receiving a lot of thumbs up. (I know some of you thought I was going to tell you I scattered the matching number engine sending a rod through the hood, sorry!)

Told myself, I am going to do this more often! Get em out and enjoy! Mark

markinnaples · #2 12-29-2016, 02:23 PM

Awesome. That's what they were made for, glad you're going to use it more. Beautiful Nova, and I'm glad you didn't break anything. Good New Year resolution to drive it more.

**Salvatore** · #3 12-29-2016, 03:12 PM

You are my hero Mark! Life is Good especially where you live and how nice your weather is. Do this again and report back to us.Looks like a real nice place you have too.
Drive em!!!

**vince** · #4 12-29-2016, 03:19 PM

beautiful nova [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img]

tunes · #5 12-29-2016, 03:27 PM

Great looking Nova! It makes me want to get my Chevelle out for a little drive. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/

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**BlackL78M22Nova** · #6 12-29-2016, 05:49 PM

Do it!

**earntaz** · #7 12-29-2016, 05:42 PM

And your legs were shaking from the adrenline ... right? Awesome feeling! TAZ [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

**BlackL78M22Nova** · #8 12-29-2016, 05:47 PM

You nailed that perfect Taz. Great feeling. Like I said, took me back to the feeling at the track days when you drove it like you stole it.....and then reality sets in

**JRSully** · #9 12-29-2016, 09:43 PM

If you want to drive slow, take the family sedan for a ride. Hammer it every now and then! The weak link in these engines from the factory were the valve keepers, not that I want to blow my original engine, but I do have a NOS CE '70 854 block in the corner of my garage! (hopefully never need it). Like Uncle Fester from the Addams family once said, "I know the combination to the family safe, but is so much more fun blowin it!"

**Salvatore** · #10 12-29-2016, 11:41 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRSully</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want to drive slow, take the family sedan for a ride. Hammer it every now and then! The weak link in these engines from the factory were the valve keepers, not that I want to blow my original engine, but I do have a NOS CE '70 854 block in the corner of my garage! (hopefully never need it). Like Uncle Fester from the Addams family once said, "I know the combination to the family safe, but is so much more fun blowin it!" </div></div>

take it from this guy Mark. He shows it NO mercy but it is the cleanest, baddest nova on Long Island! if you can't drive a car in Southern Cal, there is no hope!