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Re: 72 TA : New Project
Great pic, looking forward to the ink! Congrats!
Dan |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Took her out to the local cruise night in Flemington, NJ yesterday. Good showing of cars there and it was about 90 degrees out.
There's nothing like rolling up the windows and running the A/C full blast on a hot day. She ran ran great -and the temp gauge never went above the first notch. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Since we are in the midst of an apocaliptic heat wave here, (It was 108 yesterday), I took the 72 T/A out for a spin in the inferno, better known as New Jersey, today.
I went to the local cruise night again but only 20 cars showed up due to the oppressive heat. The car uses its original, four-speed radiator (no trans cooler) that was recored with a modern three row, copper core. She handled the climate amazingly well. Here's some temp samples taken with a heat gun: Outside Temp: 102 degrees Pavement Temp: 121 degrees Pass-Side Radiator Tank Temp: 153 degrees Dr-Side Radiator Tank Temp: 183 degrees Thermostat Housing Temp: 197 degrees A/C on Max, center outlet temp: 35 degrees [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img] There's nothing like a good running, old R12 system. Factory temp gauge reading: about a millimeter past the first hash mark on the gauge. |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Today's 72 T/A Temperature Update:
Outside Temp: 92 degrees Pavement Temp: 110 degrees Pass-Side Radiator Tank Temp: 138 degrees Dr-Side Radiator Tank Temp: 178 degrees Thermostat Housing Temp: 185 degrees Factory gauge reading: directly on the first hashmark A/C still blowing nice and cold [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img] So there you have it, I guess the first mystery hash mark on the gauge is 185, even though it is exactly halfway between "100" and "210" on the dial. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
I spent a hour or so removing a valve train noise that I suspected was the crazy oil dripper contraption that the 455HO's used under the valve covers. It was a tinny/clanky sound that obviously wasn't a lifter but was definitely in the valvetrain somewhere.
It seems that the roller tipped rockers I am using were nicking the oil dripper indentations on the passenger side. I pulled both valve covers and removed the contraptions as they are not really needed with the roller tipped rockers. There is enough oil spray coming out of the rockers to lubricate everything that needs lubricating in there, anyway. Top view: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007082.jpg Underside view: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007077.jpg Closeup view. Some of the nicks are old and some look fresh and shiny. http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007080.jpg Now there are no more annoying noises that shouldn't be there. Just the annoying noises that should be. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Now through the wonders of modern science, you can hear for yourself what the engine sounds like, after I removed those pesky dripper shields.
Just click on the photo: http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/...h_S7007086.jpg |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Nice!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
If the weather holds out for Friday, I may drive down to the Fossils Car Club cruise down in Hamilton NJ tomorrow, in case anyone is in the area. It's a mega cruise night that they used to hold at the Jackson Outlets. The cruise moved to this new location, this year.
http://www.fossilscarclub.com/cruisenight.html |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Made it down to the cruise. Weather was iffy but met up with some good people. The drive home was entertaining. It was an 85 mile round trip, made it to about 10 miles from the house and then the skies opened up. The wipers worked fine and I got home safe and then washed the road dirt off in the driveway while it was still raining. Once I finished washing, the sun came out again (typical). [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]
http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007108.jpg KevinW's 69 327 ragtop. Very nice car. At least he didn't get rained on because he lives near the cruise lcation. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif[/img] http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007109.jpg [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Nice shots Steve!
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
I posted a couple shots of a really cool survivor 62 421/405 in the PonchVilla section and a real 41 Willys street rod with a 528 Hemi, in the Mopar section. The threatening weather kept a lot of people away but it was a nice place to visit and hang out.
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
Just filled up the T/A with gas after last night's cruise. I actually managed to set a new personal best, mileage record at *11.1 mpg highway, 8 mpg city.
*Remember, use these figures to compare. Your actual mileage may vary. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
A little test driving this evening. Checking if she's still in tune. (All within the posted speed limit, of course) http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/...h_S7007164.jpg (click on the photo) [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Nice Steve! The sound reminds me of my brothers Formula Firebird!
Awesome... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Nothing sounds like an angry Quadrajet (when they work properly). The car breaks the tires loose when the secondaries come in. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
If you watch the shaker closely, you can see the flapper open at the same time the secondaries kick in. |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Consider the mail...............hauled.
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
Love it! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/Can-I-Have-It.gif[/img]
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
Git some!!! Sounds good. Love seeing the flapper doing its thing! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img]
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
Never stop tinkering. One of the honeycombs on the car was just a slightly different shade for several years now. It finally annoyed me enough to do something about it today. This was the result of a later purchased spray can of the now defunct, OEM Paints Honeycomb paint (which at the time was selling at the ridiculous price of $79 a spray can).
A few months ago I had my local Napa dealer mix me up a quart of single stage Honeycomb paint. It took them a lot of searching and a phone call to their supplier but they were finally able to cross reference the PPG DQE 8906 number over to Martin Senour #55-5327. A quart was about $35. (It requires a $25 can of hardener as well). I barely used a quarter of the quart can to paint the four wheels. You can also order direct from these people: www.tcpglobal.com I ended up dismounting the front half of the tires so as not to disturb the balance weight positions on the backside. I wrapped the rubber in a couple plastic garbage bags per tire and tucked it under the front rim edges. I then mixed the paint, hardener and reducer and used a Preval spray bottle to apply the paint, since I don't have a paint gun. Once it cured, It aired the tires back up to reseat the beads, put the caps back on and all was well again. The result was better than I expected. Comparing the color with an original paint wheel and it looks pretty much dead on. (even better than the OEM Paint mix, which was a bit too gun-metal colored, or at least the later can was) Original wheel: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...68c/c05e_1.jpg Repainted wheel: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007310.jpg http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007308.jpg I guess I'll do the Polyglas mounted set next. Just so they all match. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
They look AWESOME Steve! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
If anybody is near a newstand, the T/A is supposed to come out in the January issue of High Performance Pontiac, which hits the stands in October. My subscription copy always arrives suspiciously late and dog-eared from the mailman pre-reading it for several weeks before it shows up in my mailbox.
Please give me a heads up if you come across a copy. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
I will look for it for you Steve!
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
Holy $&@#!
How did we get to half a million views on this insane seven year rant? If I had a dime for every view I could have paid for a third of the resto cost. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] I guess it's like a train wreck: you just gotta stop and look. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
The thread speaks for itself pal. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
After trying all sorts of stuff to remove the 40 year old waterspots on the back window, and reading the recent thread in the tech section here: https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...594#Post462594
I decided to try the SPOT-X water stain remover. I found it on Amazon.com for about $15. http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...268c/spotx.jpg Here's the acid rain waterspots that up til were impervious to everything I tried: clay, rubbing compound, 0000 steel wool, 80 grit on a DA sander... http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...aterspots1.jpg http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...waterspots.jpg |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
It was really rather simple. You dampen the white scotchbrite pad and put a couple tablespoons of the powder on the pad. You rub using finger pressure only.
Make sure you don't get the powder on any aluminum trim or painted surfaces, if you do, wash it off, DO NOT TRY TO RUB IT OFF THE PAINT. http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...68c/during.jpg Here is the left half after one application. You can already see the shiny-ness, returning http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...alfandhalf.jpg |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
And the final result after about thirty minutes of effort:
http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...68c/after2.jpg http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...268c/after.jpg The stuff actually works great. After the glass cleaning, I did then have to re-polish the aluminum window trim with a quick application of Simichrome but that was no big deal. |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
If it looks 1/2 as good in real life as it does in the pics, then that's some impressive stuff.
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
It was pretty amazing stuff. It will also scratch aluminum window trim instantly if you accidentally rub too far from the edge of the glass. Don't even think about getting it near the paint. Some masking tape would probably be a good idea at the perimeter of the glass, just to be safe. This stuff is about the consistency and abrasiveness of Comet cleanser.
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
I went out hunting for the magazine this morning and found them at Barnes&Noble. A very happy day! Just in time for my wife's birthday. She will be so surprised when I give her an autographed copy as her birthday present. Stay tuned for further updates! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...PPontiacTA.jpg |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Looks great...congrats Steve...you've earned it....three times over! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
Thank you very much. I'd love to bring it to MCACN but the Charger is going instead...to try to drum up some prospective buyer interest, maybe.
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
<span style="font-size: 14pt">CONGRATULATIONS Steve!</span> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img] <span style="font-size: 14pt">It looks AWESOME! </span> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just in time for my wife's birthday. She will be so surprised when I give her an autographed copy as her birthday present. Stay tuned for further updates! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] </div></div> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] So....how'd she like it? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Excellent Steve and Congratulations. Boy, that panel fit looks so,,,so,,,so......unfactory-like. Nice job!!
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrsBillyBobcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-size: 14pt">CONGRATULATIONS Steve!</span> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img] <span style="font-size: 14pt">It looks AWESOME! </span> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just in time for my wife's birthday. She will be so surprised when I give her an autographed copy as her birthday present. Stay tuned for further updates! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] </div></div> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] So....how'd she like it? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] </div></div> Rita, Actually I chickened out and gave her our customary family gift of a home-made limerick. We do it for everyone's birthday in our house. Even the kids are required to draft one up. Here is my "gift" for my better half. It covers her two biggest gripes: we have way too many dogs and I have way too many hats stashed all around the house. Of course she also says there aren't enough cats, even though we have the same # of finicky felines as dastardly dogs (all are rescues, including the blind one in the lower right, in the picture). She loved it! http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...merick2011.jpg We should have enough limericks to fill a book by next year. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Great tradition Steve. You may want to keep your day job, however! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/whistle.gif[/img]
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Re: 72 TA : New Project
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Rita, Actually I chickened out and gave her our customary family gift of a home-made limerick. We do it for everyone's birthday in our house. Even the kids are required to draft one up. Here is my "gift" for my better half. It covers her two biggest gripes: we have way too many dogs and I have way too many hats stashed all around the house. Of course she also says there aren't enough cats, even though we have the same # of finicky felines as dastardly dogs (all are rescues, including the blind one in the lower right, in the picture). She loved it! http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...merick2011.jpg We should have enough limericks to fill a book by next year. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] </div></div> <span style="font-size: 14pt">LOL Steve! That is way COOL!!! </span> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] Homemade cards/ gifts are the BEST! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Thanks so much for sharing! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img] |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
I finally got some tires for the rims that I won from Year One for my Gramma Rose's 1975 Firebird. They will be going on Gramma's Firebird but I wanted to see how they fit on the T/A in terms of clearance and ride.
They are the 275/40x17 BFGs as recommended by Year One. They actually fit fine with no rubbing whatsoever! I drove around some windy/bumpy roads to check for rubbing and didn't hear or feel a thing. The car does handle and drive a bit stiffer than the BFG 235/60x15s I normally run, but the ride is nowhere near as jarring as the orginal bias ply F60x15 Polyglas tires. http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007516.jpg http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t.../S7007519a.jpg http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007522.jpg I compared the height measurements of each tire and they are as follows: F60x15 Goodyear Polyglas: 26" tall 235/60x15 BFG Radial T/A: 25.5" tall 275/40x17 BFG Sports: 25" tall (of course the BFG spec sheet said they were 25.9 tall on a 9 rim [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif[/img]) I'll try to get the weights of each tire later today when I move them over to Gramma's car but I can tell you the 17" set up is really heavy (one of the tires landed on my pinky while moving them out of the truck and I was not a happy camper). [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] BTW, these are the original 114,000 mile front and rear springs on this car. You do see a bunch of space above the tire in the wheelwell. If I had it to do over again, I might go with a 45 series tire to get a bit more fill in the wheel well. |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
Here's the three tires on the car:
F60x15 Polyglas: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...HO4speed2a.jpg 235/60x15 BFG: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t.../S7006635a.jpg 275/40x17 BFG: http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007516.jpg |
Re: 72 TA : New Project
And here they are where they belong, on Gramma Rose's Firebird:
http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007530.jpg http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...c/S7007535.jpg [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] |
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