#1  
Old 10-21-2020, 07:55 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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Default 73 fixer upper

I bought this 73 formula nearly 20 years ago. The plan back then was to fix it up. Well, a series of life events including marriage, kids, job changes, and so on and now I am finally to a point in life where this project has finally climbed the priority list. The car started as a '73 formula 400, automatic. I have the entire drive train from a 70 formula available. The car was already minus the original engine/trans so no need to worry about originality. I also have a freshly bored, decked, align bored 455 block with a 428 crankshaft. Other parts I have is a formula hood, new fenders, and a M21 that I just went through and replaced synchros, seals, and bearings.

What I want is something driveable, lots of torque/power, and a manual transmission. The car overall is relatively rust free. The bottom of the car is great. There is a rust spot about the size of a dollar bill in the passenger side rear quarter that will need to be cut out and replaced. Here are a few pictures starting out. My first try with pictures, hope it works
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  #2  
Old 10-21-2020, 08:07 PM
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I have a thing for yellow cars for some reason. Good luck with the build.

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  #3  
Old 10-21-2020, 10:27 PM
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Looks like a great project. Welcome!

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  #4  
Old 10-22-2020, 12:30 PM
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Looks like a great place to start more pics inside and out and under .....
My 73 looks to have the same small rust area in the rear window area as well as the lower rear quarter as yours but mine is not above the wheel arch....lots of help on this forum with anything u should need....good luck
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Last edited by cnc; 10-22-2020 at 12:35 PM.
  #5  
Old 10-23-2020, 01:07 PM
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Looks like my 73 fixer upper! Bought it 4 yrs ago, and all I did was stuff it in the barn. Formula 350, nothing to exciting.

I like the hoist in the garage!
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  #6  
Old 10-23-2020, 01:57 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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Angry

Thanks, looking forward to all the help and advice you guys can offer. My intent is to update my progress here at least weekly. Hopefully it will help keep me motivated and keep the advice coming in. Here is the primary rust so far, including an unpleasant surprise I found behind the fender.
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  #7  
Old 10-23-2020, 02:10 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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Underneath doesn't look too bad.
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  #8  
Old 10-23-2020, 02:17 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pggto View Post
Looks like my 73 fixer upper! Bought it 4 yrs ago, and all I did was stuff it in the barn. Formula 350, nothing to exciting.

I like the hoist in the garage!
Nice, looks like my car's sibling

  #9  
Old 10-23-2020, 09:21 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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The best i can tell, this whole where the automatic shifter cable went through is pretty much the center of where I need to cut out the floor for the manual shifter. I cut this hump section out of a junker and this is the location where it seems to sit the most flush. Only get one shot at this so its critical I get it right. Anyone have suggestions how to better locate? Sorry about the low quality picture, my phone camera sucks.
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Old 10-23-2020, 09:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Howard View Post
The best i can tell, this whole where the automatic shifter cable went through is pretty much the center of where I need to cut out the floor for the manual shifter. I cut this hump section out of a junker and this is the location where it seems to sit the most flush. Only get one shot at this so its critical I get it right. Anyone have suggestions how to better locate? Sorry about the low quality picture, my phone camera sucks.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...11#post5517811

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  #11  
Old 10-24-2020, 12:56 PM
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Looos great underside that fender area behind the fender is gonna need some work but definitely fixable if that the worst...keep us up to date on the progress....

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1973 Firebird Navajo Orange w/shaker,1973 400/461,1972 Intake SD CNC'd,1977 Q-Jet 800 CFM w/ Cliffs Kit,Tanks Inc PA4 255 Walbro intank pump ,-8an feed/return,RobbMc Regulator,RobbMc 40 micron filter,253 CFM 6x-8's w/H.S 1:5 Roller Rockers,SD Stump Puller H/R Cam 230/236 @.050 112 lobe separation 565/.570 lift,Crower Solid Rollers,28150 Hedman Headers,3" exhaust,full tailpipes,350 Turbo,9.5" 3200 Converter,3:42 gear,8.5 posi,C/E slide-alinks,Koni adj frt shocks,Best 12.18@110.55 Lookin for 11's
  #12  
Old 10-27-2020, 10:08 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith k View Post
Thanks, that link was a big help. I used those dimensions to locate the hump, then put in the console for a sanity check. The two methods seem to agree pretty well. To cut out the floor, I drilled a 3/8" hole at each corner to make access for the jig saw blade. The cut out is quite a bit smaller than the factory hole, but it appears to be large enough. I'll probably put the transmission in just to more precisely locate the hump before i tack it down, and see if I need to enlarge the cut out any. My measurements say it should be ok, but......

  #13  
Old 10-27-2020, 10:19 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cnc View Post
Looos great underside that fender area behind the fender is gonna need some work but definitely fixable if that the worst...keep us up to date on the progress....
The area behind the fender is the worst of it. Apparently a bunch of leaves, pine needles, and other general debris washed down the cowl and collected there and rusted from the inside. Not something I wanted to find, but I've seen a lot worse.

Was just checking out your car, very nice. I bet it runs like a beast with that solid roller in it.

  #14  
Old 10-28-2020, 06:50 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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Recovered the headliner. I read that I would have to scrape off the old foam, but it was so disintegrated it basically came off with light brushing followed by a blow with compressed air. Used the 3m 90 spray adhesive to glue on the new fabric, then trimmed and cut holes for the seat belt and visors.
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Old 10-28-2020, 07:30 PM
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Thanks for the kind words...yep car runs good looking to hit an 11 not sure it will happen though...lol
Nice job on the headliner material where did u get it???
I too have the cardboard panel....

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1973 Firebird Navajo Orange w/shaker,1973 400/461,1972 Intake SD CNC'd,1977 Q-Jet 800 CFM w/ Cliffs Kit,Tanks Inc PA4 255 Walbro intank pump ,-8an feed/return,RobbMc Regulator,RobbMc 40 micron filter,253 CFM 6x-8's w/H.S 1:5 Roller Rockers,SD Stump Puller H/R Cam 230/236 @.050 112 lobe separation 565/.570 lift,Crower Solid Rollers,28150 Hedman Headers,3" exhaust,full tailpipes,350 Turbo,9.5" 3200 Converter,3:42 gear,8.5 posi,C/E slide-alinks,Koni adj frt shocks,Best 12.18@110.55 Lookin for 11's
  #16  
Old 10-28-2020, 09:57 PM
David Howard David Howard is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cnc View Post
Thanks for the kind words...yep car runs good looking to hit an 11 not sure it will happen though...lol
Nice job on the headliner material where did u get it???
I too have the cardboard panel....
Man, you are almost in the 11's. Its great you are able to do that with the iron heads and intake. I would love to be that fast one day, but I want it to be something I can just crank up and go anywhere, anytime if I want. Is that cam you have street friendly?

I bought the headliner material from classic industries, although I think you can get it from other online fabric suppliers for a bit less. Both hobby lobby and JoAnn advertise headliner material on their websites that looks identical, but neither had it in stock. So I just went the safe rout I got it where I did. I did get a few creases/wrinkles in the back corners where the headliner curves, but its not too visible and is mostly covered by the trim. I'm thinking a few heat cycles during the summer and they will mostly go away.

  #17  
Old 10-29-2020, 07:05 AM
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Yes cam is very street friendly....has a bit of attitude but no problem with power brakes whatsoever ever....
Hobby Lobby really .....we have friends in Michigan with a hobby lobby my wife goes to alll the time...have to check it out once we can cross borders....
AgIn nice job on the liner...

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1973 Firebird Navajo Orange w/shaker,1973 400/461,1972 Intake SD CNC'd,1977 Q-Jet 800 CFM w/ Cliffs Kit,Tanks Inc PA4 255 Walbro intank pump ,-8an feed/return,RobbMc Regulator,RobbMc 40 micron filter,253 CFM 6x-8's w/H.S 1:5 Roller Rockers,SD Stump Puller H/R Cam 230/236 @.050 112 lobe separation 565/.570 lift,Crower Solid Rollers,28150 Hedman Headers,3" exhaust,full tailpipes,350 Turbo,9.5" 3200 Converter,3:42 gear,8.5 posi,C/E slide-alinks,Koni adj frt shocks,Best 12.18@110.55 Lookin for 11's
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