The New Project: Part Deux!

[njsteve]

Here's a neat piece of historical evidence I found:

There has been all sorts of arguments over the years that only GTOs got the "455HO" air cleaner decal in 1972.

Since my original owner photo shows the unrestored engine compartment with the decal plainly visible on the air cleaner, that of course caused the doubters to say that the owner must have put it on there.



That was until this Holy Grail/Smoking Gun document was uncovered in a recently found 1972 Assembly Manual. (1972 was the impossible year for locating assembly manuals as the UAW struck the Norwood Assembly Plant and killed the 1972 model year from April to September 1972. Very little assembly line info survived the strike).



Since the assembly line instruction sheet plainly states: "Engine Designation Label: 455HO Except Trans Am", that would clearly indicate that the Formula 455HOs definitely came with the decal, since that was the only other F-Body to have that engine and use the Ram Air air cleaner assembly.

[firstgenaddict]

So are you going to body work and paint it black?

[njsteve]

As Clint Eastwood said: &quot;A man's gotta know his limitations.&quot; [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img]

I think I'll just settle for the behind the scenes stuff like the trunk and maybe the trunk floor dropoffs.





I purposely left the original caulking mess around the rear drain plates to keep the factory made look.

[njsteve]

And after sandblasting the original aircleaner lid, I repainted it and applied the correct decal.

This decal is made by a Pontiac guy who specializes in 455HO stuff: http://www.455-ho.com/ It is an exact replica of the original in font, color and material. It's nothing like the cheapo sticker sold by the repro venders.



Maybe next week I'll sandblast the rest of the air cleaner. It's a much more involved process due to the complex snorkle assemblies.

You know what's gonna happen eventually:

Give a mouse a cookie.....

[njsteve]

BTW, the rear main seal leak stopped leaking!

After running the car for 400 miles since it hit the road, and using up an entire quart of oil in the process, I went out and bought a quart of the Lucas Engine Stop Leak last week.

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...7&amp;loc=show

I put the Lucas stuff in and then spent an entire day with 0000 steel wool and lacquer thinner removing all the baked on oil residue from the new Gardner exhaust system. I had made the mistake of removing the bellhousing inspection plate and driving the car with it off for several weeks. I figured that would help me find the leak....not really. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] All that did was create a giant tornadic vortex effect that coated the entire underside of the car with oil (and anyone traveling behind me). It also directed a bunch of oil onto the right manifold pipe, creating what looked like a burnt hamburger of carbon on the pipe.

Imagine trying to clean a lasagna pan after overcooking it in the oven for a couple weeks. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif[/img]

Anyway, I reinstalled the inspection cover and have been driving it for a week and there are no more drips under the car. So either the entire bellhousing is filled with oil and hasn't breached an internal levy yet, or the leak stopped. Only time will tell.

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

(Oh, and yes it does still have oil in the crankcase. I just went out and checked the dipstick)

[napa68]

Every once and again........................snake oil can save the day!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

[KevinW]

Steve, If you still have that smaller mirror (8&quot;?)I would be interested in it. Was on my list to get anyways for my vert. Kevin

[njsteve]

I sent it back already, sorry.

[KevinW]

No biggie, Will just have to put an order in (need two anyways) Let us know how they install [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

[njsteve]

Got the the correct 10&quot; tapered, day/night, mirror glass insert today from Paragon Corvettes. It went in very easily. The key is very hot water. Soak the mirror housing in the hot water for 15 minutes or so and the grommet becomes nice and pliable. I then placed a couple of dabs of silicone sealer in the center of the gasket in place of any type of glue that might affect the mirror coating. The mirror pretty much slips in as you gently peel back the edge of the grommet around it. When I got to the corner I used the plastic squeegy and it was easy.

Here's the finished result being inspected by Mr. Noseprint himself...