1976 Formula Update

[fortim]

Cool car and great options, I've been looking for a Firethorn red '76 Trans Am with 455.

Looks like it went to a good home

[daleone3]

Update: Took the Formula out last week (Saturday), put some fuel in to it and over the course of the next mile, stalled several times. I put about six gallons in it however JJ (seller) was pretty up front that the fuel was old that was in the car. The car ran well during face time inspections and face time test drives and when it arrived however after introducing new fuel in to the system, it started acting up. I pulled the fuel filter and it was filthy so I decided to go deeper just so I was not putting a band aid on a bigger problem. I siphoned most of the fuel out and it was not really fuel at this point, discolored and more debris than I could have planned.
Over this week end, I dropped the tank and it was pretty dirty inside, the filler neck has a good amount of loose scale so my thought is that when I put fuel in to it, I introduced more crap in to the fuel and it was sucking it in, stalling and then once whatever is in there moved, it would restart, enough to get about a tenth of a mile before it would pull whatever it is back down.
At this point, I am going to replace the tank, the bottom of it and the seam is not in great shape. Replacing the fuel sending unit which I knew it needed as well as the fuel pump and will make sure the lines are clear from the pump back before I do any reassembly. Will also clean out lines carb to pump.
With only 7900 miles, this was part of the plan anyway and something I wanted to do just to make sure that the whole fuel system was on par with the rest of the car.
I did send a note to the Seller in FLA and he as beyond accommodating. He said keep track of your time and the parts and he would reimburse me BUT I told him that was not necessary and that I had anticipated that I would be doing this anyway when I did the sending unit.
In fairness to the seller, I did ask about the age of the fuel and knew it had not been driven much/at all in the past year plus so did not feel like I needed to recover anything. AND yes, my error initially, I should have given the system a good check before even putting fuel in it, was just a bit over eager.
Any additional inputs on this? Replace tank, sender, fuel pump, filter and blow out lines with carb cleaner and light air pressure. Hoping the Carb is fine (it was rebuilt by a noted carb person) though that may need a going over, last piece of the puzzle.
Last question: Pontiac Parts. NPD, Classic Industries, Ames.....any suggestions on vendors or are they all mostly selling the same components? I bought a ton from NPD on my 71 Camaro SS and they were great to deal with but open to any recommendations.

[mockingbird812]

Yike Dale. Nasty stuff. Glad you figured it out. Boy the underside of that Formula is sweet!!!!

[daleone3]

Originally Posted by mockingbird812

Yike Dale. Nasty stuff. Glad you figured it out. Boy the underside of that Formula is sweet!!!!

It is super solid. Scale on suspension, leafs and exposed components but probably leave it as it.
I love that it has not been fluffed and shows it’s age.

[napa68]

I recently had dove into Pontiac's (hardcore Chevrolet guy) and bounced around with some different vendors. I have had the best results with Ames so far.

I agree with you and some of the others about maintaining the original tank. But that having been said, you could be fighting an uphill battle with debris and driveability. If I were walking your shoes, I'd but a new tank and sender, replace all of the rubber components, and call it good. I don't think you would have to look back.

As far as the undercoating, I'll throw my .02 in. Not only on the 76 Trans Am I have been working on, but the 80 Z28 I have as well.............I removed the undercoating to reveal a beautiful underbody. It is some dirty BS work, but the value it will bring it certainly worth the effort. There are plenty of people on this site that have spent the time to do the same thing and as a result, there is tons of great info and advice to be had.

If you were to look up Norcam & NJSteve's threads, you'll see great advice for products and procedures to deal with the undercoating, to say nothing for surface rusted components.

One my favorite threads is this...........................
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79126

Of course, the is Greame's (Norcam) thread...........
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=157610

This is a great one for dissolving rust................
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=155303

Hope this helps,
Tim

[daleone3]

Originally Posted by napa68

I recently had dove into Pontiac's (hardcore Chevrolet guy) and bounced around with some different vendors. I have had the best results with Ames so far.

I agree with you and some of the others about maintaining the original tank. But that having been said, you could be fighting an uphill battle with debris and driveability. If I were walking your shoes, I'd but a new tank and sender, replace all of the rubber components, and call it good. I don't think you would have to look back.

As far as the undercoating, I'll throw my .02 in. Not only on the 76 Trans Am I have been working on, but the 80 Z28 I have as well.............I removed the undercoating to reveal a beautiful underbody. It is some dirty BS work, but the value it will bring it certainly worth the effort. There are plenty of people on this site that have spent the time to do the same thing and as a result, there is tons of great info and advice to be had.

If you were to look up Norcam & NJSteve's threads, you'll see great advice for products and procedures to deal with the undercoating, to say nothing for surface rusted components.

One my favorite threads is this...........................
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79126

Of course, the is Greame's (Norcam) thread...........
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=157610

This is a great one for dissolving rust................
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=155303

Hope this helps,
Tim

Helps a ton Tim. I had a 71 Camaro that had the same undercoating treatment and I did take the time to get it back to that original red oxide primer and it looked great. That will be part of the longer term plan. As for the tank, I was talking to someone about it and they indicated that the ethanol could have reacted with the old fuel and created the driveability issue. Truth is it ran prior to introducing new fuel and it likely either created some toxic mess or dislodged debris (or both). The plan is to replace everything though I will keep the parts and send the tank out for possible repair so I have it. As you said, no sense in putting a band aid on a problem that can resurface down the road when the parts are available to ensure that it is clean throughout the system.
Thanks again.

[Z15 SS 454]

Is there anything that could be done to that tank to make it useable?

It would be ideal to re use it for originality on such a nice car.

[muscle_collector]

replace all the rubber lines for sure. seen way too many burn to the ground from them getting old and splitting.

[daleone3]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

replace all the rubber lines for sure. seen way too many burn to the ground from them getting old and splitting.

Will do that as well. The car has a heavy undercoating on it and interestingly enough the lines had a fair bit on them but planning on replacing it all so the delivery system is tight

[daleone3]

Originally Posted by Z15 SS 454

Is there anything that could be done to that tank to make it useable?

It would be ideal to re use it for originality on such a nice car.

Couldn’t agree more. I am going to see our local radiator guy and see what he thinks. I much prefer that route and will only replace if the tank cannot be salvaged