72 TA : New Project

[The Dude]

The month sticker began with plates expiring in 1976. So the 72 wouldnt have a month sticker when new.

[njsteve]

Got the reproduction shaker drain hose nipple from Norwood, who is a member here and on the Performance Years website. He makes a lot of the correct, reproduction shaker parts for these cars. From the factory, the nipple was originally epoxied to the bottom of the shaker.

The original Pontiac part was actually a plastic nipple but Norwood's repro is made of brass and holds up a lot longer. It also bonds to the shaker better. That was one of the major problems with the plastic ones - Pontiac used an epoxy that didn't bond to the plastic nipple and they all fell off, taking the drain hose with them. (I was lucky and still had the original hose and nipple from the run-over original shaker) Once painted flat black, there isn't any way to tell the difference. I was able to clean up the original drain hose, which is a very unique, thinwall rubber tube, almost like an oversized radiator overflow hose.



The drain hose on power steering-equipped cars routes down behind the pump and goes through the loop made by the metal portion of the power steering pressure hose.



Got the correct "RT" coded reproduction shaker air cleaner decal in the mail today from ECS Automotive and installed that, too.

You'd be horrified by how incorrect the emissions and air cleaner decals are that are sold by the major parts venders. Not even close. In fact, the decal offered by the big resto parts houses for this application actually has the part number for a 1980's air cleaner on it, and they still sell it as the so-called "correct" decal for 70-72 T/A's.

I'll stick with ECS - they make perfect reproductions.

[njsteve]

I just didn't like how the repro vinyl welting was fitting and looking on the front flares, especially around the curve under the fender edge. So I ended up cleaning and painting the original welting for the fronts. The rear flares' welting was too damaged to re-use.

(Anybody have a nice original pair of rear welting?) Why can't anyone reproduce the welting in the correct original material - it was a flexible, rubbery, latex-like material molded in color, - almost the same material as refrigerator door seals and not a hard, grey plastic/vinyl.

[Belair62]

Nice NJ... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img]

[kwhizz]

Steve.........Your attention to detail shows that your Passion for cars is alive and doing well........
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Ken [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[njsteve]

Thanks to a tip from one of the guys at the Performance Years website and his epic restoration thread of a Lucerne Blue 72 T/A, I installed the correct temp sender wire retainer. His insane attention to detail makes me look like a complete hack!
http://forums.performanceyears.com/f...06&amp;page=25

I found some extra brackets in that box of free 72 T/A stuff I got from Southernfriedcj (Jim), a month ago.

I also located an original one of the special black straps in my toolbox misc drawer. (I never throw anything away...ever). (Anyone got another one of these in their toolbox?)

I installed those four original valve cover bolts I got in that free box of parts, too. :-)

[njsteve]

The beak finally in paint:

[m22mike]

Steve

FWIW, The plastic strap looks like this one ??

PN# B-13726 pg 173

http://www.amkproducts.com/Catalog_PDF/165-176.pdf

[njsteve]

Looks pretty close. The problem with the nut and bolt supply places is that they have a minimum $ amount for orders. I cant see paying $30 when I only need that one little piece of plastic. (Yeah, I know, I'm a cheap old bast@#d)

[SS427]

Steve, I may have one of those. Is it possible to give me the measurements or a photo of it off the engine to confirm? If I do, it's yours. The one I have here has a P-4007 on it.