An 8.5 out of a '71-79? Nova will bolt in with a different u-joint. Done some research on this switch, 70-71 Novas use dthe 8.2 Chevy rear and most later 70's Novas used the 7.5 rear. There is a Nova sight that will tell which models and years used the 8.5. Very few will have a posi, most used highway gears.
