The New Project: Part Deux!

[njsteve]

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.

[Dave Rifkin]

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?

[njsteve]

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:

[njsteve]

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]

[njsteve]

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.

[njsteve]

Check this out: One of the guys on the PerformanceYears website found the original Hemming ad for my car from back in the day:

[njsteve]

I just got back from installing the new front coil springs and some assorted other parts. The hardest part was installing the new repro upper control arm rubber bumpers. We had to trim the damn things three times to get them to pull through the slots in the control arm. Doesnt anyone make a correct part any more?

I got the new front coils from Coil Spring Specialties. http://www.coilsprings.com/ They have all the original specs for the cars. I actually had them make my set for a one inch drop in ride height. They do this by altering the wire diameter used in the spring and not by just lopping off a coil. I am glad I got the one inch drop becuase after installation, the front end only dropped about 3/8&quot;. We will see how much more the car settles after I put some miles on it.

Here is the generic Classic Industries replacement next to the new coil spring. Slight difference of about an inch and a half uninstalled height. Anyone need the old pair of springs? The car sat at 28-1/2&quot; at the front fender with the old springs on 235/60x15 tires.



And during the process: