1972 Chevy Nova Ignition switch and other problems.

HOODEDSTRANGER

MEMBER
1972 CHEVROLET NOVA

Electrical problem
1972 Chevy Nova V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic unknow miles

Hey. I'm an 18 year old and I don't know much about cars. Yesterday my car stalled out as I was making a turn (right). It's been a recurring problem, but sometimes it goes away for a little while (months at a time). I asked my stepfather what the problem might be and he told me it was probably an ignition problem and asked me to go buy a new ignition switch.
I was taking a look online and I'm not sure if I should buy one with a tilt wheel or not.

A secondary problem is one that I've had since I bought the car a couple of years ago. My car has trouble keeping it's oil pressure up. Each time I get to a stoplight I need to put the car into neutral in order to keep it running. It's only a slight inconvenience, but I'm just wondering what the problem could be. One of my friends thinks it's a gasket, another says it's an o ring.

My last major issue is that recently (past 2 weeks or so) I've been hearing a low groan, similar to what you hear on a highway when I have my foot off of the accelerator and I'm slowing down. I just got my passenger side front tire replaced (around the same time) and I was just curious what that is.

Anyways, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read this and taking the time to respond.

1 Reply

BOWTIE BABY

MEMBER
101 POSTS

I see that you posted this in sept and no responses, I hope youve got it fixed nowbut if not. You have to get the correct ignition switch for whatever colomn you have in the car. If your talking about the key switch, thats called ignition lock cylinder, the switch is the electrical part on top of the column that conects to the lock cylinder with a metal rod. Make sure its adjusted correctly, loosen the bolts and slide it to adjust.
Oil presure, start with the sending unit. Its next to the distributer behind the intake manifold. Do you have any major oil leaks, if so repair them. The oil pump has a bypass valve with a spring in it, its possible that the spring broke or is worn and not holding pressure, replace oil pump and pick up tube, make sure to have the tube spot welded on, its not a must but a good idea. Change your oil and filter with a thicker oil like 40w or 50w.
As far as the noise goes, well that could be a lot of things, most likely a bearing, either a front or rear wheel bearing or rear end gears worn or low on oil.