|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Thank you for the compliment. Just trying to have fun. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
I took the white car over to my buddy's garage today to get some underside shots. I took around 140 photos of just about everything. Lots of neat stuff under there that I have never seen before on a second gen car. The camera didn't have a wide enough angle lens so I had to shoot the car down the center, then down the sides to get all the details. So here goes:
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dsc_0025.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-dsc_0026.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-dsc_0027.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-dsc_0028.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-dsc_0029.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-dsc_0030.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-dsc_0031.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-dsc_0032.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-dsc_0033.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dsc_0034.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
The right side. Note how little paint got on the lower portion of the rocker panels on the passenger side. The driver's side rocker bottom got a lot better coverage. Must have been a shorter painter on the left side of the paint booth that day.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-dsc_0046.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-dsc_0047.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-dsc_0048.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-dsc_0049.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-dsc_0050.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-dsc_0051.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-dsc_0052.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-dsc_0053.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-dsc_0054.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dsc_0055.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-dsc_0056.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Here's something interesting. I have never seen this bracket on the cross member the purpose of which is to retain the speedometer cable.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-dsc_0118.jpg This clip is on the driver's side inner frame rail: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-dsc_0117.jpg This bracket is on the driver's side inner frame rail below the steering column: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-dsc_0116.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
French locks on the exhaust manifold bolt:
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-dsc_0138.jpg Matching VIN on Turbo 400 transmission: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-dsc_0115a.jpg Unpainted, galvanized floor plug https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-dsc_0108.jpg Emergency brake adjuster with single, nylock lock not. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-dsc_0104.jpg GM stenciled fuel lines on subframe with color coded spring clamps: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dsc_0098.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-dsc_0082.jpg Fuel pump part number: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-dsc_0013.jpg "FU" paper tag on front sway bar: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-dsc_0014.jpg Driveshaft color coded paint stripes: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-dsc_0022.jpg Limited Slip metal tag in factory installed position at bottom: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-dsc_0020.jpg Orange painted "G" on the bottom of the differential. The differential center section appears to be natural cast iron, with the tubes and mounting plates painted black. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-dsc_0021.jpg "LS2" on the underside of the radiator support, denoting the SD455 option: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-dsc_0002.jpg Yellow crayon "53 H" on the inside of the passenger side subframe rail: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-dsc_0083.jpg Original spiral shocks all around. The car rides very nicely on them. You can see the black painted rear differential base plates: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-dsc_0093.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
And here's a comical one: Nice build quality/alignment on the rocker panel installation. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] It is sticking out about a 1/4" from the bottom of the quarter panel. The passenger side is flush with the quarter.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dsc_0142.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Has the exhaust system been replaced?
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
No, that is the original exhaust system, including muffler. The SD455s had a unique system made of multiple tubes that were welded together to make the long sections.
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Started tinkering yesterday. The original master cylinder was leaking badly at the rear seal by the booster. Brake fluid was running down onto the subframe. Luckily I still had the reproduction master cylinder left over from the black 72. So I installed that one as a stuntman for the original one while I send this one out to Whitepost.
From sitting for 40 years with the same brake fluid, the bottom of the reservoir was filled to about 1/4 inch with rusty colored goo. It was a bear to get the inner far piston out. That same rusty goo was in the bore area as well and not only pitted the bore but devoured the valve itself: You can see that these master cylinders were painted a flat black originally. Not a lot of the paint remains but it is there in places. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-p1010292.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-p1010288.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-p1010291.jpg Here is the reproduction bleeder style master cylinder in place with the original cap and bail on it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-p1010305.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
And after driving it 75 miles or so in the past week I noticed that the car runs at 205 degrees on the temp gauge. I confirmed this with the infrared heat gun (so the gauge is actually accurate!). The temp would never rise above that, even when sitting in traffic or under throttle - very stable, just hotter than I would like.
Since the thermostat housing was leaking I decided to check the thermostat. Looks like it was the original thermostat with a Delco stamp and a 195 rating. The unique "LS2" ID stamp on the SD455 intake, and the leaky thermostat housing: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-p1010362.jpg "DELCO" on the top side: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-p1010364.jpg "195" rating on the bottom side: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-p1010366.jpg Since I had a spare 160 thermostat on the workbench, I threw that in, replaced the gasket and tightened everything back up. While I was there I used a little Windex and gently cleaned the area surrounding the housing. With the 160 thermostat in it, the car runs much cooler now - like 160 or so - barely hitting the first notch on the gauge on a 75 degree day today. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-p1010371.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
While under the car yesterday I noticed both valve covers were leaking oil. Not wanting to open the top of the engine I looked closely at the valve cover bolts and noticed that oil was seeping out from under them. When I shut the car off I could see a little bubble of oil oozing out from underneath one of them by the main leak trail. I went to tighten it and it was barely finger tight. So, one at a time I removed each valve cover bolt, wiped it off, applied a bit of sealer on the thread and tightened them down. Hopefully that will stop the leak(s).
As you can see, the wire retainer brackets were on the engines when they were painted: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010331.jpg And the unique SD455 valve cover warning label: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-p1010335.jpg The SD455-only oil filler cap with the PCV within it. The PCV's on the SD455s were relocated to a valve cover oil cap from the intake manifold due to the increased internal pressures in the intake valley where the regular engines have them mounted. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-p1010351.jpg The stenciled hose for the PCV filler cap. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-p1010353.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Everything back together for a test drive. She sure is a "peppy" little car. Chirps second gear without trying. Definitely pulls all the way up the RPM range. The next thing on the list is to start cleaning everything by hand to get the rest of the four decades of grease and dust off.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-p1010376.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-p1010375.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Excellent Steve.......................just excellent!
Tim |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Totally awesome. Thanks for sharing some of the photos. I see the backing plates were also painted with the wheel cylinders and bleeders in palce which I commonly see though most (including me) restore them in natural finish and natural bolts. Do you see any black paint on the rearend brake lines?
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Brake lines are natural. No paint on them at all.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dsc_0075.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Here's another interesting thing. The hood torsion spring has a rubberized green end on it. And the radiator support is date coded.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-p1010312.jpg Original A-6 compressor decal: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010309.jpg And date coded POA valve: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-p1010308.jpg Timing/Emissions decal: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-p1010313.jpg Date coded antifreeze decal: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-p1010314.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Next project is to reinstall the original 7043270 800 CFM carb. The man I bought the car from purchased an NOS 800 CFM, 17054910 service replacement SD455 carb from HO Specialties twenty years ago and installed it because he thought there was a problem with the carb. It turned out the problem was with the TCS system cutting off the advance, so he routed the vacuum advance directly to the carb and cut out the TCS system. The car ran fine then, but he never reinstalled the original carb. So I will get a carb kit and replace the needle and seat, and the accelerator pump with something that will tolerate the new ethanol blended fuels we have to put up with. Then the original carb goes back on.
Here's what's on the car now. 17054910 dated "1140" 114th day of 1980 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-p1010303.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-p1010302.jpg And the original 7043270 dated "0133" 13th day of 1973: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-p1010383.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-p1010382.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
<span style="font-size: 20pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Great</span></span> automotive archaeology Steve!</span>
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Thanks! One of the posters on the PY website asked about the master cylinder date code stamping. I didn't know there was one but here it is. It is stamped in tiny font on the front outlet. CS3190 is the CS master cylinder as documented on the paper tag on the retaining wire, 3190 is the 190th day of 1973.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...r_cyl_code.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
The reproduction New York license plates arrived today. 956-LYS was the plate originally issued to the Enrico when the car was new. I still have the very first registration from the stack of registrations through the years. www.licenseplates.tv reproduces any plate for around $85. They do really nice work.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-p1010387.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Nice indexing of the license plate screws, Steve!
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
OCD at its worst!
I was finagling with the original carb tonight and found this oddity in the fuel inlet. I have never seen a check valve in a filter cartridge before. The replacement Delco filter just has a paper gasket on the end. This rubber seal and check valve was pressed into the inlet of the original filter. It takes some serious pressure to unseat the valve. Was it an anti drainback valve? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-p1010401.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-p1010399.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
I find these in Oldsmobiles all of the time and yes it is an anti drainback valve.
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
I wonder what the efect is on flow restriction into the carb?
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
It was my understanding Steve, this was to prevent fuel flow in the event of a rollover. It takes fuel pressure to overcome the spring.
Tim |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
I want to give a shout out to members "KevinW" in NJ, who found the Milwaukee craigslist ad for two NOS tires, and "67442" (Paul) in Wisconsin who then proceeded to play the middleman and run down to the seller's shop and pick up the tires for me and then wrapped and shipped them to me. I now have a full display set of 1973 date coded Firestone 500 Radials. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
The original spare (in the middle) and the two original tires (on the left) from the car are date coded the 18th week (late April) of 1973. The two NOS tires on the right were produced during the 25th week (mid June) of 1973, which makes them all perfect for the late July built car. And best of all they all have the unique, early 1973 white Firestone shield logo which was discontinued in late 1973. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010403.jpg I also got a tip from Paul on how to get rid of that white waxy stuff on the tire surface that no solvent would remove. Paul said it was the original mold release material that outgasses from the rubber over time. He recommended using a hair dryer to melt it and to let it soak back in. I used a heat gun set on low and whodathought but it worked great! I would heat the stuff and it would instantly melt into a glossy liquid which could be wiped away. Then another application of heat and the remainder would soak back into the tire! Here is the original spare before: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-p1010037.jpg And after using the heat. (disregard the white in the treads, that is tire dressing that hasn't soaked in yet) https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-p1010407.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
And before you ask...there is no way in hell that I will be driving on these tires. The recalled Firestone 500 Steel Radials are known to explode while just sitting, on display. There are several first hand accounts of Corvette owners experiencing these tires self destructing while stowed in the underbody trunk wells of mid 1970's Corvettes. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif[/img]
The car will be on display at the Musclecar and Corvette Nationals (MCACN.com) this November. I will be bringing them with me to mount on the car when we arrive. I won't chance the car jouncing in a trailer for 800 miles on these tires. They are like hand grenades with loose pins. |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Thats great Steve! Glad it worked out. looking great as usual!
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
That's cool...Yenko.net members helping each other out!
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
The power of cheese [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
I rebuilt the original 7043270 carb last night. All of the jets and metering rods were the factory installed pieces. No one had messed with the internals. I installed one of Cliff's accelerator pumps, and high flow .135 needle and seat assemblies. Threw on some new gaskets and replaced the float which swelled and was wedged in the down position. So I was rather glad I opened the carb up to check how things were inside, after all. Also all the screws were barely tightened - I guess the gaskets shrunk after 40 years.
She runs great! It's hard to keep any traction when hitting the gas from a standing start! |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Cool!
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
So are you leaving air pressure inside the spare tire?
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
I aired it up just to see if it would hold air. But it would be a good idea to deflate it. BTW, the exploding 500s in the Vettes were original spares with no air in them: the steel belts just seemed to violently unravel on their own.
|
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Looky what the FedEx man delivered today: The original three spoke steering wheel that Rick took off the car in 1975 and replaced with a Formula wheel.
For those who are not in the know, the "Formula Wheel" was the official name of the foam-rimmed, aluminum three spoke wheel that came standard on the Trans Am but was optional on all other Firebirds. Don't ask me why they didn't call it the "Trans Am" wheel...that would have only made sense. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] Rick even shipped it in the original box (packaged inside another box so the original wouldn't be harmed) that the Formula wheel came from the dealership in: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010432.jpg Shipped March 3, 1975 from PONTIAC, Michigan!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-p1010438.jpg Rick even labeled it for posterity back in 1975: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-p1010442.jpg Check out the grain texture in the rim. I bought several used rims off ebay recently before I learned that Rick had the original. All of them were worn smooth from use. This one is amazing. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-p1010437.jpg And back on the car where it should be. Looks nice and classy and matches the interior and the saddle colored steering column, too. (Cars that originally came with the Formula wheel also came with a black steering column to match the black, crinkle finish, wheel hub on the Formula wheel. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-p1010450.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Time capsule X100,000,000.
Unbelievable. I am excited to see your car at MCACN, this car will stand out in the crowd. Ryan |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
Steve, they called it the Formula steering wheel because it was patterned after the 1960's Momo F1 steering wheel. That steering wheel was very popular back then, so when Pontiac copied the design, they called it the Formula wheel, as in Formula 1.
As for the car, Pontiac used the name Formula in the same vein as Trans Am. They were both racing series (F1 and SCCA Trans Am). Pontiac had a knack for naming their high perf cars after a racing series, or a track, such as Bonneville, Formula 1, Trans Am, Le Mans, Grand Prix, Can-Am, and Grand Am. And your new steering wheel looks awesome. What a great find! You're very lucky to have found an original owner that not only remembers the car very well, but still has an interest in its well being. |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
And since the Polytech Autobody class started up again this week I started working on the polyethylene front valance that will be going back on this car. If you recall, I repaired a blue valance back in 2006 for the 1972 Trans Am. it ended up being a spare when I repaired the original white valance from the T/A. Here is the link from the original thread where I plastic welded the valance back together:
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...opics/99647/23 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...opics/99647/24 Since I had to recreate the outer edges of the valance with polyethylene welding rod, it was about 1/2" too short to match up with the fender edges and the lower portion of the nose. Similar to the process of making a fiberglass mold off of an original, I used masking tape to cover the mating areas on the car, installed the valance (after redrilling the mounting holes in the valance to match the location of the mounting points on the radiator support). I then used a liberal slathering of rubber bumper repair compound and let it cure. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-p1010412.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-p1010413.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-p1010414.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-p1010420.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-p1010421.jpg I then pulled the polyethylene valance back off and started hand sanding to get the contours. I also added the bumper repair material to the back side to mate up with the new flange areas. I reinstalled the steel valance and I brought the polyethylene valance to the Polytech class last night and started prepping the rest of the valance for primer and paint. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-p1010427.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-p1010429.jpg https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-p1010423.jpg |
Re: The New, Newer Project Part Tres...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StealthBird</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Steve, they called it the Formula steering wheel because it was patterned after the 1960's Momo F1 steering wheel. That steering wheel was very popular back then, so when Pontiac copied the design, they called it the Formula wheel, as in Formula 1.
As for the car, Pontiac used the name Formula in the same vein as Trans Am. They were both racing series (F1 and SCCA Trans Am). Pontiac had a knack for naming their high perf cars after a racing series, or a track, such as Bonneville, Formula 1, Trans Am, Le Mans, Grand Prix, Can-Am, and Grand Am. </div></div> I remembered about them naming it after another wheel but couldn't recall the exact trivia. Thanks for that. So how do you explain the Pontiac Aztek? Let's name a car after a group that tears the still-beating hearts out of their supporters and eventually goes extinct from its excesses...Oh, I guess they got that one right, too..... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 01:22 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.