Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

Got the Gardner exhaust in today, changed the oil and took her out for a 60 mile road test. She ran great and rides beautifully. Of course the rear main seal started dripping from all those years of sitting. Typical... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

I would love to know what is inside the engine when it comes to pistons and head work since preignition was rearing its ugly head at part throttle even with good gas. I guess this winter I will find out when I pull the engine to reseal everything.

Here are a couple shots of the exhaust and the repainted frame rails. The new KYB shocks came in a nice GM shade of vintage GM silver grey.

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t.../SDC11640a.jpg

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t.../SDC11635a.jpg

Oh, and the rear springs that I had de-arched one inch sit very nicely now on the 235/60x15s (the radial equivilent of the F60x15). They now match the ride height of the original springs in my T/A. The next project is installing the special front coil springs I had made with a one-inch drop from the stock spec. Right now the front is higher than the rear by about 3/4&quot;.

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/SDC11646.jpg

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/SDC11644.jpg

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

Ran into a dilemma yesterday. I was installing the new repro bleeder master cylinder and couldn't get the combination valve to reset in order to get fluid to the back brake circuit. Driving the car onto the trailer with the rear brake line unhooked (though plugged) set off the BRAKE indicator light.

I tried everything: cracking a front bleeder and keeping the rears shut, then stepping on the brakes only resulted in the dash light turning out, indicating that the valve reset, but it must be internally blocked since the reset pin was still sticking out and no fluid was moving the the rear. I then put a plug into the rear circuit port of the valve to provide something for the fluid to press against and build internal pressure - once again the ligh would reset but no valve movement. Finally I just said the heck with it and removed the valve and put in a spare that I luckily had sitting on the shelf.

Anyone have any idea how to reset the valve? I tried removing the indicator plug with the electrical lead from the top, and manually moving the slider valve in the tiny port it engages with, but no luck there either - the slider wouldn't move. Pushing on the metal indicator stem doesn't budge it either.

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/SDC11648.jpg

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/SDC11651.jpg

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/SDC11652.jpg

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

I finally repaired that original set of silver grills from the Formula (the ones with the hood latch hole fiberglassed over as a theft deterrent).

Actually it wasn't that bad. I went to drill a starter hole in the fiberglass patch from the inside, out. I applied some pressure with the drill...and the plug just popped off! I guess he made a square plug out of fiberglass and then used some type of epoxy that didn't bond very well with the plastic. So, all I had to do was some light sanding and then reshot both grills with a light dusting of argent.

Even though I do like the blacked out Trans Am grills better, I figured I'd make the purists happy by putting the original silver Formula grills from this car, back in.

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/SDC11660.jpg

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

I love Firebird Formulas!! Looks great Steve....

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xplantdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love Firebird Formulas!! Looks great Steve.... </div></div>

X2 on that. I spend much more time checking out a formula than a comparable t/a. Something about that dual snorkel hood.

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

The dual snorkle scoop was originally intended to be the second gen T/A's hood but the gimic guys at Pontiac overruled the stylists and demanded a flapper-equipped, shaker contraption to rival the Mustang's shaker.

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

So now that you've had the Formula for a little while and it's really coming together, how do you compare it to the Trans Am? You put so much blood, sweat and effort into making that T/A one of the nicest I have seen in a while. I was very shocked to see you sell it and, when you did sell it, I thought it was to purchase an SD F-Body.

Do you think you'll be hanging onto this car for a while?

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

Hopefully it is a keeper! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

I just couldn't pass up a car this unique, with all the documentation, in a color that technically wasn't available, with its entire original drivetrain intact, and with more options than anyone has ever seen on a Firebird: 34 total. I think that is the new option record for one of these things.

I believe it has more options than the Starlight Black 72 automatic that the F-body team built for the Pontiac General Manager Jim McDonald who was thinking of killing off the Firebird in 1972. They built him a special order black (because he only drove black cars) option-loaded, Formula 455HO automatic. He drove it as his personal car and loved it. That car saved the Firebird line. (for at least for another 30 years, that is). [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img]

Here is the Jim McDonald car back in 2004 at the Volo Museum:


http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...ackexeccar.jpg

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...acexeccarr.jpg

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

With a little carb tuning, it will be as fast or faster than the T/A. Normally a Formula is lighter than a T/A, but this one probably weighs the same as the T/A, with all the extra luxury pieces it has.

Maybe one of these days I'll find a nice 73 SD. But I'd probably prefer an SD Formula since you could get them in colors other than white, red or green.

But I imagine there is probably somebody waiting in the wings for me to finish this one so they can get it. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]

If I could sell the Hemi Charger I could get this baby painted a lot sooner. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

Re: The New Project: Part Deux!
 

Took her out for another spin today. I have been noticing oil drips under the car lately, after recent test drives. Couldn't tell if it was gear lube leaking on the clutch or engine oil. I pulled the bellhousing inspection cover (very oily inside) and soaked the inside of the bellhousing with brake clean, while the wife pressed the clutch pedal. Oil had soaked into the clutch disc and it was chattering badly yesterday. I also drained and refilled the M22. I thought maybe it was overfilled and was pushing fluid out the front bearing retainer after I topped it off a few months ago. It was a bit overfilled.

So, after cleaning everything, I took her for another ride. The clutch worked much better. I got back home and climbed under again. Doesn't appear to be from the trans as the front bearing retainer was still relatively dry. It looks like it is engine oil. It seems to be dripping and then getting flung off the flywheel, inside the bellhousing and onto the clutch. It looks to be the rear main, (very common with the modern non asbestos rope seals), rear rubber oil pan seal, or a leaking galley plug.

So after the MCACN show this fall, I will be pullng the engine to regasket everythng.