Does anyone here know where I can get some help decoding my Son's 70 Nova? Bob

I would try Steve's Nova Site. It seems to be one of the best sites for Nova info.
James
http://www.stevesnovasite.com/

Actually here's a much better detailed site for '62-'79 Novas.

www.novaresource.org (http://www.novaresource.org)

Novashop has a trim tag decoder.....
http://www.novashop.net/decode/trim/index.htm
And Nova Research might have some useful info as well. www.chevynova.org (http://www.chevynova.org)

Thanks, I ran the numbers but the trim tag and vin give no info on what engine came in the car other than just a V8. This car has a twelve bolt with GM 4.56 gears and Muncie raising a question as to what engine was in it from the factory, we bought the car without an engine. Bob

All Chevy II/Novas from '62 thru '71 only decoded the type of engine in the vin. (4 cyl, L6, V8) Then starting in '72 and on up the 5th digit of the vin specificly decoded what engine came in the car.

That's the problem, the numbers don't tell what v8 actually was installed. I think it was probably a big block car since it has a twelve bolt and muncie. The heater box would have shown if it was a big block because from what I've been told the hoses are in a different location for the bbcars. This had the heater box removed when we got it so that doesn't help. Any other indicators that would point out if it was indeed a Big block car? The front sway bar looks like any other I have seen. Bob

For 1970, all big block cars were super sports. A 300 HP 350 small block (L48) could also be had with the super sport option.

All 1970 super sport Novas came factory with power disc brakes. The BB cars had different radiators/radiator core supports. You are correct about the heater boxes being different. The BB cars had the hoses that came thru the center of the heater box. This had to be done because of the dimentions of the big block. All other Novas had the heater hoses come thru next to the heater box closest to the engine.

Manual transmissions I believe were usually Muncies for the SS Nova. However 12 bolt rear ends were not always used and it is very possible that someone could've swapped either of these in.

Really the best way to tell about your car is the build sheet. You can also look at the stamped numbers on the front of the block and see if they match up to the vin, then at least you know you have the original engine.

Here's some good reading material on super sport Novas: http://novaresource.org/rpo_Z26.htm

It doesn't necessarily have to be a BB car, or an SS car for that matter to have an original 12 bolt rear. I pulled my 12 bolt from a 69 350 2bbl car.
You could also check the frame side motor mounts for numbers, and see if they are original BB mounts.
Something else to check, is factory hangers for dual exhaust, and size of the fuel line(s).

she's got the larger 3/8" fuel line, Thanks for the tips on the mounts and exhaust hangers I will check them. Bob

I believe all V8 Novas, both big and small block got the 3/8 fuel line. The six bangers got the 5/16 line.