Why does our 1965 Chevy II steer so bad?

We dig into our 1965 Chevy 2 Nova and looking into why the steering is so bad. We head over to Lucky Costa's shop to get his expert opinion.

The Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova is a small automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, and produced in five generations for the 1962 through 1979, and 1985 through 1988 model years. Nova was the top model in the Chevy II lineup through 1968. The Chevy II nameplate was dropped after 1968, with Nova becoming the nameplate for all of the 1969 through 1979 models. Built on the X-body platform, the Nova was replaced by the 1980 Chevrolet Citation introduced in the spring of 1979. The Nova nameplate returned in 1985, produced through 1988 as a S-car based, NUMMI manufactured, subcompact based on the front wheel drive, Japan home-based Toyota Sprinter.

After the rear-engine Chevrolet Corvair was outsold by the conventional Ford Falcon in 1960, Chevrolet completed work on a more conventional compact car that would eventually become the Chevy II. The car was of semi-unibody construction having a bolt on front section joined to its unitized cabin and trunk rear section, available in two- and four-door sedan configurations as well as convertible and 4-door station wagon versions. The 1962 Chevy II came in three series and five body styles—the 100 Series, 300 Series and Nova 400 Series. A 200 series was also introduced, but was discontinued almost immediately.[2] The sportiest-looking of the lot was the US$2,475 ($21,175 in 2020 dollars [3]) Nova 400 convertible—23,741 were produced that year.[4]

1960s Chevrolet Nova emblem

1963 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova 400 4-Door Station Wagon
Available engines for the Chevy II in 1962 and 1963 included Chevrolet's inline-four engine of 153 cu in (2.5 l) and a new 194 cu in (3.2 l) Hi-Thrift straight-six engine. All Chevy II engines featured overhead valves. A V8 engine was not available in 1962 and 1963. With no documentation proving it, the legend of a dealer installed V8 engine being in a 1962 or 1963 model year Chevy II is a myth. Refer to the GM Heritage Center 1963 Chevrolet Nova information available on the GM Heritage site.[5] In addition, that documentation does not list a V8 engine as a possible dealer installed option.

In 1962 and 1963 the Nova option for the Chevy II was available in a convertible body style, and a two-door hardtop was available from 1962 to 1965, although the hardtop was dropped when the 1964 models were first introduced, but subsequently brought back to the line later in the model year. Like all Chevy two-door hardtops, the body style was marketed as the Sport Coupe.

For 1963, the Chevy II Nova Super Sport was released, under RPO Z03.[6] It featured special emblems, instrument package, wheel covers, side moldings, bucket seats, and floor shifter, and was available only on the 400 series sport coupe and convertible.[6] Cost of the package was US$161.40, equal to $1,364.36 today.[7] As mentioned above, the Nova option could not officially have V8 engines at this time—the standard SS engine was the six-cylinder (this was also applicable to the Impala (and later the early Chevelle c. 1964–65) when the SS was a sport and appearance package)—but small-block V8 engine swaps were commonplace among enthusiasts.

For 1964, sales were hit hard by the introduction of the new Chevelle,[8] and the Chevy II received its first factory V8 option, a 195 hp (145 kW) 283 cu in (4.6 l), as well as a 230 cu in (3.8 l) straight six.[9] The six-cylinder was all-new, replacing the older Stovebolt engine. Rival manufacturer Chrysler had earlier developed the Slant Six in their Plymouth Valiant, a Chevy II competitor, when the cars were introduced to the public in late 1959 as 1960 models. At introduction in the fall, the hardtop coupe was missing in the lineup, contributing to a loss of sales (as well as showroom appeal). Chevrolet subsequently reintroduced the Sport Coupe in the lineup later in the model year, and it remained available through 1967.

1965 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova 4-door sedan (with aftermarket wheels)
The 1965 Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova were updated with cleaner front-end styling courtesy of a fresh full-width grille with new integrated headlight bezels. Parking lights moved down to the deep-section bumper, and sedans gained a new roofline. Taillight and backup lights were restyled, as was the rear cove. The 1965 Chevy II came in entry-level 100 form or as the posher Nova 400, each in three body styles. The Nova Super Sport came as a Sport Coupe only, and its production dipped to just 9,100 cars. Super Sports had a new brushed-chrome console with floor-mounted four-speed manual transmission or Powerglide automatic, but a column-mounted three-speed manual remained standard. Bucket seats wore textured vinyl trim, and the dashboard held ammeter, oil pressure, and temperature gauges. An expanded engine lineup gave customers six power choices of the six-cylinder or V-8 engines; the four-cylinder was available only in the 100.

@xfactorautomotive1496 1 year ago

There is a therory that the Chevy II's handle funny at highway speeds and above because of the weird crook at the wheel end of the outer tie rod end causing flexing. I welded a piece of round stock across there nicely and it really DID seem to help. The other thing that really helped my deuce was upgrading to a borganson power steering box that has a modern steering ratio. Mine now drives as well as a new car does. Huge improvement.

@richardrichard4394 4 months ago

Had mine for over 50 years steers great stock setup, early 80's polygraphite was first squeak would drive you nuts then global west came out with Delalum bushings and spherical solid metal lower control arm bushing with lockout plate and beefier strut rod bushing takes the potholes way better idler and lower control arm bushings main problem that's what wears out tie rods and then bump steer and way cheaper and stock look I like it