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Projects & Restorations / Re: 81 T/A restoration
« Last post by 5th T/A on Today at 04:57:45 PM »Ambitious project and impressive repair work.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks for posting.
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Projects & Restorations / Re: 81 T/A restoration
« Last post by 81Resto on Today at 03:01:00 PM »I noticed that too Luke. In the videos linked he was repairing a '71 Camaro I believe and those holes weren't correct for that year either. They are also not in the correct spot on the seat pan also.
They will be relocated.
I do need to clean up and weld the e brake brackets back on still in addition to relocating the hole. I do have the correct position marked out just need to finish.
They will be relocated.
I do need to clean up and weld the e brake brackets back on still in addition to relocating the hole. I do have the correct position marked out just need to finish.
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Number Crunching / Re: 400 casting code
« Last post by 81Resto on Today at 02:56:06 PM »Thanks for the reply. I think I am going to steer clear of this one. I got another picture with 500813 code which is for a 455 with 2 bolt mains, but it is being represented as a 400 with 4 bolt mains.
With all the conflicting info I am getting, I think my best option is passing at this point.
With all the conflicting info I am getting, I think my best option is passing at this point.
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Number Crunching / Re: 400 casting code
« Last post by wheels78ta on Today at 12:09:26 PM »Not sure where they got that casting number from but it is not for a later built pontiac 400.
The 400 block you want is casting number 481988. You can use the 568577 or 500557 block but it's not as strong as the 481988.
The 557 block is good for 450-500 hp.......still usable if it's the only thing available.
The 400 block you want is casting number 481988. You can use the 568577 or 500557 block but it's not as strong as the 481988.
The 557 block is good for 450-500 hp.......still usable if it's the only thing available.
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Interior / Re: Rear armrest opening cover plates ?
« Last post by Wallington on Today at 05:51:08 AM »Thanks Willie. The rear pressings also differ ever so slightly between early and midyears. A few angles look like the covers plates may also differ but not clear enough to be sure. The vague photos I've seen seem to match roughly the change in interior plastic armrest panels change, so 70-72 and 72-up, with cover plates used until perhaps 1975.
The guy I got these plates off thought they were off a 75 or 76, but they are also the earlier red primer of 70-73 or so, not the brown shade so that guess is not one to base much on. I haven't seen recent pics of other years to see which still used them or had holes or not.
Anyway, some newer pics just because. Guys are bored with the topic so this is perhaps more to do with going off photos to match red primer.
This is the plates as removed, interior side showing. Black brush-on goo for sticking of wheelarch insulation next to it.
Firebird 70-75 rear interior armrest cover plates unwashed (2) by Ben, on Flickr
As removed, inside body faces, grey primer/blue paint overspray from door jamb opening areas. The staining is likely from the interior side seeping through, rather than these being sealed to body.
Firebird 70-75 rear interior armrest cover plates unwashed (1) by Ben, on Flickr
Cleaned-up and using garage lighting only, no flash.
Firebird 70-75 rear interior armrest cover plates washed (1) by Ben, on Flickr
Same again but using flash inside house. Much more of an orange look that is not accurate.
Firebird 70-75 rear interior cover plates washed flash lighting (1) by Ben, on Flickr
Scanned pic using printer scanner, and using the two best sides for recording the colour or red primer.
Firebird rear interior armrest panel covers 70-75 red primer scanner by Ben, on Flickr
I considered even sending one off to paint shop to get some primer matched for future use, but mine uses the later brown primer, nor is it worthy of even touching up in this way so won't bother now.
Of interest also is that the plates are completely covered both sides evenly. So being an early red primer, it is Norwood dip and the plates must have been only loosely attached by the screws a few threads for complete coverage and only marks from clamping over the paint, not bare areas where sealed onto body when screwed tightly. Van Nuys were still spraying grey primer and black overcoat during these years before swapping to the red-brown primer for roughly 74-78.
The guy I got these plates off thought they were off a 75 or 76, but they are also the earlier red primer of 70-73 or so, not the brown shade so that guess is not one to base much on. I haven't seen recent pics of other years to see which still used them or had holes or not.
Anyway, some newer pics just because. Guys are bored with the topic so this is perhaps more to do with going off photos to match red primer.
This is the plates as removed, interior side showing. Black brush-on goo for sticking of wheelarch insulation next to it.
Firebird 70-75 rear interior armrest cover plates unwashed (2) by Ben, on FlickrAs removed, inside body faces, grey primer/blue paint overspray from door jamb opening areas. The staining is likely from the interior side seeping through, rather than these being sealed to body.
Firebird 70-75 rear interior armrest cover plates unwashed (1) by Ben, on FlickrCleaned-up and using garage lighting only, no flash.
Firebird 70-75 rear interior armrest cover plates washed (1) by Ben, on FlickrSame again but using flash inside house. Much more of an orange look that is not accurate.
Firebird 70-75 rear interior cover plates washed flash lighting (1) by Ben, on FlickrScanned pic using printer scanner, and using the two best sides for recording the colour or red primer.
Firebird rear interior armrest panel covers 70-75 red primer scanner by Ben, on FlickrI considered even sending one off to paint shop to get some primer matched for future use, but mine uses the later brown primer, nor is it worthy of even touching up in this way so won't bother now.
Of interest also is that the plates are completely covered both sides evenly. So being an early red primer, it is Norwood dip and the plates must have been only loosely attached by the screws a few threads for complete coverage and only marks from clamping over the paint, not bare areas where sealed onto body when screwed tightly. Van Nuys were still spraying grey primer and black overcoat during these years before swapping to the red-brown primer for roughly 74-78.
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Lobby / Re: Today I... "Redux Edition"
« Last post by b_hill_86 on Today at 05:22:05 AM »
I really thought it was just me. My car collects dust like horder at a free garage sale. The day after I get it spotless it's covered in dust again. And I really thought the scratches were because my car is a single stage paint. It seems to scratch (Like micro scratches) just by looking at it. I really need to just forget perfect flares and just paint these dang things and put them on. I could call may car finished then....
Nah man it’s definitely not just you lol. I almost texted you Sunday to see if you might be out actually.
Your car looks great! Glad you were able to get some seat time this weekend. I try to get to a cars n coffee on sunday mornings with my son but he had an oil switch problem with his GTO and didnt want to drive until he got it fixed (yesterday). My honey do list had accumulated over the last few weekends so unfortunately with just about as perfect weather as one could have asked for my car sat in the garage. And now theyre calling for rain on Sat and Sun.
I know how that goes. I don’t think we’ve really had much start up around here yet. I have a lot of local cruise ins and cars and coffee events I’d like to try but life always seems to get in the way with a 1 1/2 year old and another coming in July. There’s one show I try to make a few times a year and the first is this Friday. Naturally I ended up picking up overtime at work not thinking. O well
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Projects & Restorations / Re: My Tenth Anniv.
« Last post by roadking77 on Today at 04:55:12 AM »I knew after waiting for a gazillion years to have my motor rebuilt I should have named this car 'Patience'. But Im not one of thos that name cars. Now I am reconsidering 
Or maybe just PIA
Front brakes all fine. I could not get a vacuum on the back to save my life. After a few unsuccessful tries I decided to check that my fittings were tight. I DID NOT HAVE THE MAIN LINE HOOKED UP TO THE SPLITTER AT THE REAR END 
So, hook that up and still no vac. Trip 2 lets look at the fittings again. The line input to the caliper was nice and tight, however the line moved freely in and out of the caliper, like it was missing a stop/washer ferule or something? With some advice and looking around I could not figure how to remedy the situation without a complete hodge podge. I called FbirdCentral where I bought the calipers (years ago now) and found they are for someone doing a disc brake swap onto a drum car. The fitting is accomplished with a banjo bolt and flex line much like the fronts. Rather than going through a bunch to make things jive, I found a set of rebuilt original calipers and placed an order. Hope they work!
Or maybe just PIAFront brakes all fine. I could not get a vacuum on the back to save my life. After a few unsuccessful tries I decided to check that my fittings were tight. I DID NOT HAVE THE MAIN LINE HOOKED UP TO THE SPLITTER AT THE REAR END
So, hook that up and still no vac. Trip 2 lets look at the fittings again. The line input to the caliper was nice and tight, however the line moved freely in and out of the caliper, like it was missing a stop/washer ferule or something? With some advice and looking around I could not figure how to remedy the situation without a complete hodge podge. I called FbirdCentral where I bought the calipers (years ago now) and found they are for someone doing a disc brake swap onto a drum car. The fitting is accomplished with a banjo bolt and flex line much like the fronts. Rather than going through a bunch to make things jive, I found a set of rebuilt original calipers and placed an order. Hope they work!
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Lobby / Re: Today I... "Redux Edition"
« Last post by roadking77 on Today at 04:41:57 AM »Your car looks great! Glad you were able to get some seat time this weekend. I try to get to a cars n coffee on sunday mornings with my son but he had an oil switch problem with his GTO and didnt want to drive until he got it fixed (yesterday). My honey do list had accumulated over the last few weekends so unfortunately with just about as perfect weather as one could have asked for my car sat in the garage. And now theyre calling for rain on Sat and Sun.
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Lobby / Re: Today I... "Redux Edition"
« Last post by FormTA on Today at 03:29:59 AM »I really thought it was just me. My car collects dust like horder at a free garage sale. The day after I get it spotless it's covered in dust again. And I really thought the scratches were because my car is a single stage paint. It seems to scratch (Like micro scratches) just by looking at it. I really need to just forget perfect flares and just paint these dang things and put them on. I could call may car finished then....
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Mechanical / Re: Clutch Fan
« Last post by jbanna on Today at 02:10:41 AM »The flex fan is an aftermarket attempt to solve the problem with the fan clutches wearing out prematurely; however, my car never ran cooler with one, and the blades sounded like the propellers on an aircraft! I switched back to a fan clutch and a 7-bladed fan, and it works good...
