crazy headers

Those look like 180 degree over the top headers. The year 1978 would be about right. The trans on the ground under the front of the Nova looks to be a Richmond 5 speed. They had a tendency of blowing 3rd because of no bearing support for the long span between the bearings. The shafts actually warp under power. I've rebuilt a few of them. By the way, the heads on the motor are straight plug heads, not the "turbo" heads popular back then for hot rodders. All this is guesswork, my memory ain't what it used to be.

Russ.