From what I gather, the Pontiac equivalent to a Chevelle was called a Beaumont, and the Pontiac equivalent to a Nova was the Ventura, and that many parts are interchangable.

I'm aware that Chevelles are larger than Novas, but I was wondering if it's possible to change the front-end style of a Nova to that of a Chevelle, and the same for the rear bumper.

To be completely specific, and I have no idea if this is possible or not, what would I have to do in order to put a 1970 Chevelle front end (fender extensions, headlights, grill, bumper), and 1972 Chevelle rear bumper onto a 1972 Pontiac Ventura (essentially a Chevy Nova with a different front end).

Also, what is the approximate weight difference between a '70 Chevelle and '70 Nova.

And what's the largest engine I could drop into a 1972 Ventura without many problems. It comes with a 250 w/ 2-speed powerglide, but I was considering either a Chevy 396(402), 427, 454, or 502 if I came up with the cash. A friend also has a few Oldsmobile 442s laying around, and I was wondering if I'd run any issues if I tried to put one of those in it, and what kind of performance I'd expect from it.

If I sound completely uneducated on this topic, it's only because I am. Thanks for all your help.

Actually, the Canadian version of the Nova is known as the Acadian - the Ventura was the Pontiac stateside competitor to the Nova.

The only way you usually have a chance of easily morphing one division's bodywork onto one of the other divion's equivelents is to work with cars out of the same body line: "A" body car line includes Chevelles/Malibus, GTO/LeMans, Cutlass/442, Skylark/GS. The Nova/Acadian and Ventura are X body cars.

I don't have weight charts, but offhand I would expect ~ 300 lbs less for the Nova than the Chevelle. The Nova is very similar to the Camaro in weight (and actually an amazing amount of chassis and drivetrain parts interchange between Camaro and Nova).

You would have to define your version of "without many problems". But given that you are starting with a 250 six cylinder, then of your choices, the 502 will easily drop in there.

Thomas

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"Bomber" '67 El Camino, Beater comes back to life.
Was 350/TH350 14.90 @ 93mph, 360,000+ miles on car.
Now 406 roller, 340rwhp, more hp coming, 3.08 gears.
Street radials, left in drive, 13.20 e.t.@108.35 mph.
8/1/01 added Plum Mist '67 to collection
ProCharger D-2R 468 under construction.

The Nova and Chevelle are very different. Nova is a unibody, and the Chevelle is a full frame car. GM uses letters to designate car families, the Chevelle is an A body as is the Olds Cutlass, Buick Skylark,ect. I think the Nova,Ventura,Omegas are X bodies. If you stay in the same car family the parts should be interchangable (not always}. What you are suggesting will not work easily. If you have a welder anything is possible, I don't recommend it. Why not just fix it up like it is, not many of them around. As for the engine you have a good engine bay. I don't think they make a passenger car engine that won't fit. If I had a 72 Ventura I would be looking for a Pontiac 455

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64 ElCamino (http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jul/20027306594843713937468.jpg) 350 700r4 3.42 posi website (http://tiresmoke.iwarp.com/)

Never ceases to amaze me how helpful you guys are. Thanks so much.

So is a camaro an x-body? If so, can I do conversions on the front end to say a 70-72 camaro? I suppose I could keep the front end, but it kinda retains it's granny-style look to it. I love the real muscle look of a 70 chevelle's front end, but I wouldn't go through a lot of trouble on this car for it. I'd just like to know what my options are. Why are the 502 and pontiac 455 so much easier to drop in?

Would the Olds 442 be as easy to drop in, and would I get a lot of power out of it? If not I could look for another engine, but it'd be very convienient if I could just put one of them in.

I'm also assuming Goodmark would be the best place to order the sheet metal for this car? It needs quarters and a front fender, and a new trunk welded in. This would deter me if I wasn't able to get the car for only $750.

Can you say for certain whether or not a 70-72 chevelle bumper would fit the car or not? I realize it's a completely different body style, but it seems like a fairly interchangable piece. I've found that the following are x-bodies: Chevy Nova/Acadian, Oldsmobile Omega, Pontiac Ventura/Phoenix or Buick Apollo/Skylark. I'm assuming I could use the front end of any of those, but the front ends all make them look like cars a little old lady would drive to church. A camaro would be a good idea if that's possible.

Thanks again guys.

(add) I found out Camaros and Firebirds are F-bodies and they have a lot in common with X-bodies. Does that mean I could use front/rear end parts from either of them as well?

[This message has been edited by Garrison (edited 09-29-2002).]

Camaros and Firebirds are F bodies, but some of the suspension interchanges.

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Leo Paugh
Maryland Chevelle Club #017
A.C.E.S.#3731
progress has little to do with speed, but lots to do with direction.
Maryland Chevelle Club (http://www.chevelles.net/mcc/mcc.htm)

I hate to curb your enthusiasm, but the only sheet metal swapping that is going to work is X body to X body and even then, they won't all work. I don't know enough about them to say what would and wouldn't work, but your hope of Chevelle or Camaro sheet metal is not possible. If you want a Chevelle or Camaro, then buy one. Remember it's only a good deal if it's what you want. This hobby is getting too expensive to throw money at a car that doesn't get you so excited you can't see straight. My 2 cents.

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my 67 droptop (http://www.mdesignstudio.com/chad/other/mychevelle2.jpg)

Interior (http://www.mdesignstudio.com/chad/other/interior.jpg)

big block (http://www.mdesignstudio.com/chad/other/motor.jpg)
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Dad's 67 droptop (http://www.mdesignstudio.com/chad/other/dads67.jpg)

Hell, don't let anybody discourage you - who knows, maybe your automotive creations/aberations will be featured on Monster Garage.

I say just put a welder in Garrisons hands and be prepared to see an un-natural automotive combination.

Something to consider: In the end you will still own a '72 Ventura. If your dream is a '70 Chevelle and you are short on funds then I would advise you to start saving up now.

By the way, no matter how many times you hear the expression "easy bolt in installation" just beware that it translates into "problems ahead". With that in mind, I say, yeah go ahead and drop in the 442 engine that you have, easy bolt in installation http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif Only takes one short afternoon to do all the work.

Thomas

Thanks, I'll definitley check everything out. I plan to take the Ventura down to a few body shops today for some estimates, and if I can do what I want at the right price, I suppose I'll have to put the Chevelle on hold for a while.

The Olds 442 is not an engine size.(You might already know that.) The engine out of a 442 could be a 400 or 455 depending on the year. The 455 was rated at 400 horsepower from 68 to 70. This is flywheel horsepower. Pretty good engine,if you can get it cheap, Grab it. I would still rather have the Pontiac 455 just because it's a Pontiac. Regardless of what engine you choose be sure to get all the brackets and accesories, these can be a real pain to find.

I say look for a 455. Venturas are pretty light and a 455 would be a bolt in.(Same externally as a P350/400 etc.) It would be a friggin' monster.