#1  
Old 08-11-2019, 02:12 AM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default 71 GTO Hardtop. Finally...

Well Gents,

After searching off and on for a couple of years now, I finally found the 71 GTO Hardtop I've been wanting. Another 09A build (like my 71 GTO Convertible project), and only about 300 VIN's apart. While both bodies were built in the same week, they were both caught in limbo during the Sept-Nov 1970 UAW strike. Eventually however, both shipped from the Pontiac plant on exactly the same date in early December. That's serendipity to me.

Quick breakdown on her: Base 400/400 column shift car, Quezal Gold, White Vinyl, and Jade Green interior. Certainly not a color combo high on most guys' lists, but I think she's absolutely beautiful! She's pure 1971 with that look.

Options include A/C, PS, PDB, Soft Ray windshield, sport mirrors, Rally II's, trunk light, and not much else. She's the right base from which to build my perfect daily driver. The original block is long gone, and while the current NOM 400 runs fine, I have a date correct 455 block and set of #66 heads I'll eventually build and install. Also, having fallen in luv with daily driving an M-13 (3 speed) in my 72 LeMans GT the last 6 years, I searched for and found a spare M-13 that will be installed in this girl along the way too. Other mechanicals will be tended to as needed, but the important thing is that the body work is already in what I call decent "driver" quality condition. It should be many years before I have to think about paint/body again. And though she looks beautiful in the pics and from a few feet away, she's not a show car and that's exactly what I was after. I simply wanted a good looking driver that I'm not afraid to drive regularly.

I found the car out in Illinois, so as I am want to do, I flew out to pick her up and drove her back here to AZ. The only casualties of the trip were one bad coil, one bad fuel pump, and a lost wheel center cap. To me, that's not too bad for a 2 day/2 night, 7 state, 1700 mile adventure in an unknown car. I bought her to drive, and that's just what I did and what I intend to keep doing.

I've attached a couple pictures of this great trip last week. Along the way, I met up with my brother (and my old 74 Bonne) in Springfield, MO, stopped during daylight hours at the TX and NM borders, and finished up with a final fuel stop in Flagstaff, AZ before getting home. What an adventure!

I am blessed and happy beyond what I deserve!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5280.jpg
Views:	616
Size:	112.7 KB
ID:	517441   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5282.jpg
Views:	603
Size:	63.4 KB
ID:	517442   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5300.jpg
Views:	555
Size:	65.6 KB
ID:	517443   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5315.jpg
Views:	506
Size:	67.5 KB
ID:	517444   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5353.jpg
Views:	554
Size:	115.6 KB
ID:	517446  


__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #2  
Old 08-11-2019, 06:38 AM
Kurt L71S's Avatar
Kurt L71S Kurt L71S is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Chalmers, Indiana
Posts: 452
Default

Todd, What a nice score! Hat's off to you for flying in and driving her home...what a great way to get to know her....Really QT!!
Congrats...

Kurt

__________________
Kurt L71S....1971 LeMans Sport Coupe 350/TH350
  #3  
Old 08-11-2019, 08:51 AM
skipp65 skipp65 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: altoona,pa
Posts: 135
Default

That’s awesome. Good for you, I would love to do that someday.

  #4  
Old 08-11-2019, 08:53 AM
Hammertime Mike's Avatar
Hammertime Mike Hammertime Mike is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 986
Send a message via ICQ to Hammertime Mike
Default

Congrats on the "new" 71. What a way to get personal with your car ! That's a big trip, Glad you both made it home !

__________________
  #5  
Old 08-11-2019, 10:03 AM
Pepper Judge Pepper Judge is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 255
Default

Great Road Trip.

Did you have tools for the repairs or did you stop along the way?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister Pontiac View Post

I found the car out in Illinois, so as I am want to do, I flew out to pick her up and drove her back here to AZ. The only casualties of the trip were one bad coil, one bad fuel pump, and a lost wheel center cap. To me, that's not too bad for a 2 day/2 night, 7 state, 1700 mile adventure in an unknown car. I bought her to drive, and that's just what I did and what I intend to keep doing.

  #6  
Old 08-11-2019, 11:59 AM
OCMDGTO's Avatar
OCMDGTO OCMDGTO is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ocean City Md
Posts: 1,194
Default

Very nice car and you are really bold to drive an unknown car that far. Well done!

__________________
Chris D
69 GTO Liberty Blue/dark blue 467, 850 Holley, T2, Edelbrock Dport 310cfm w Ram Air manifolds, HFT 245/251D .561/.594L, T400, 9" w 3.50s 3905lbs 11.59@ 114, 1.57/ 60'
  #7  
Old 08-11-2019, 08:03 PM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default

Thanks for the kudos everyone. She sure is a sweetie to me, and I had a blast bringing her home. Now I have to tend to the regular tune up items, and get her registered, then the fun can (legally) continue!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pepper Judge View Post
Did you have tools for the repairs or did you stop along the way?
I did both. I always carry a tool bag and a few spare parts with me in the car(s), and this was no exception. I brought my tool bag from home, and the seller was extremely helpful. He threw in the spare fuel pump, and a spare (Chinese) HEI. Fortunately, the coil died at the first fuel stop (that one surprised me a little), so the seller brought me out a spare he had in his stash. I swapped it there at the pump, and she roared back to life. Off I went.

Somewhere in the middle of nowhere TX the next day, she started vapor locking a bit, so I took the first exit and (forutnately) there was a local auto parts store, convenience store (with restaurant), and shade tree all right there. After a couple hours of maintenance and two walks over to the auto parts store, I was back on the road late afternoon.

I've done enough road trips now that I have a pretty good handle on the weak points of these cars during long hauls. There are only a few things that will really stop you, so I tend to either start off with those spares in the trunk, or stop at a local Napa or the like and pick up what I need as I go. If a big failure occurs (trans, windowed block, etc...), there's precious little you can do to prepare, so those you just deal with if they ever occur. But my experience tells me they are very rare occurrences (only ever lost one trans in 30 years, and never destroyed an engine on a road trip).

So for me, the list looks something like this: Aside from my tool bag (hand tools and a timing light/dwell meter/vacuum gauge), I try to have a spare (big can) fuel pump, section of fuel hose, starter solenoid, set of points, and a couple plugs and wires. Q-jet fuel filter is a good idea too, but not a requirement. Carrying a spare inline filter, a section of fuel hose and a couple clamps is an easy (temp) fix as well.

I'm reminded of something my friend Keith Collier (mechanickeith) said years ago... "People work on their cars too much." He didn't mean that in a negative way, rather that our old cars will run and drive fine even when things aren't mechanically perfect. I've found that to be pretty accurate myself, and I remind myself regularly that we daily drove these things for years, back in the day. Nothing substantial has really changed, so why not keep doing it?

Of course the biggest (unspoken) reason these trips go so well is that I see the hand of the Lord in every one. I've seen it so many times now over the years, it's almost fun to see what the Lord will do on each journey.

I mean as I think about it, the coil dies just a few miles from where I bought the car and the seller can rush me a spare in less than an hour? And then vapor lock occurs at just the perfect exit for me to do the repairs, cool off, and eat lunch? I just don't see these as coincidences. They're divine appointments.

__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #8  
Old 08-12-2019, 06:53 AM
Judge273's Avatar
Judge273 Judge273 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,487
Default

Great pickup Todd! Where about in Illinois was it?

Hopefully, when I'm in Arizona visiting my parents in January I'll see you cruising...

Great place to have a daily driver!

__________________
Mike/Illinois
  #9  
Old 08-12-2019, 07:38 PM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Judge273 View Post
Great pickup Todd! Where about in Illinois was it?

Hopefully, when I'm in Arizona visiting my parents in January I'll see you cruising...

Great place to have a daily driver!
Thanks Mike! I picked it up in southern IL. Small town called Anna. PHS says it sold new in Pinckneyville, just a few miles up the road from there. I'm assuming it was a local car there in southern IL all of its life.

Seller tells me he bought it a couple years ago off a collector nearby who had it in a storage building since the early 80's. He told me it had a cracked block with a spun timing chain (hello nylon gear teeth) when he bought it. 109K on the car when I picked it up, so I'd imagine that's a fairly accurate history.


__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #10  
Old 08-12-2019, 10:54 PM
OVERULD's Avatar
OVERULD OVERULD is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 3,440
Default

I love it Todd! Great car with a cool and unusual color combo. My 71 has the Jade Green interior and it grows on you. I love driving it too. Back in 2009 I drove it from Atlanta to Dayton, OH for the Co-Vention. Only casualty was the brake master cylinder. The car rode really well and it was a fun trip. Enjoy your new ride in good health!

BJ

__________________
1971 GTO 455 HO 4-speed - Cameo White, White Vinyl Top, Jade Green Interior, Ram Air Hood, AC, Honeycombs and 8-track 1974 Formula 455 I Owned in 1975-1976. Now Own Its Twin From Same Dealership

  #11  
Old 08-13-2019, 01:32 AM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by OVERULD View Post
I love it Todd! Great car with a cool and unusual color combo. My 71 has the Jade Green interior and it grows on you. I love driving it too. Back in 2009 I drove it from Atlanta to Dayton, OH for the Co-Vention. Only casualty was the brake master cylinder. The car rode really well and it was a fun trip. Enjoy your new ride in good health!

BJ
Thanks BJ! Yes, I've silently drooled over your 71 since the first time I saw pictures of it when you owned it the first time. Heck, I still drool over it.

Always hoped for a Jade interior myself in a 71, and so happy that I now (finally) have one too! But I am kinda partial to shades of green. My 67 GTO is Cameo Ivory/Turquoise, and I've been in luv with that combo since I bought it 27 years ago.

__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #12  
Old 08-14-2019, 10:23 PM
OVERULD's Avatar
OVERULD OVERULD is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 3,440
Default

Todd,
Is that the original carpet in the car? It looks like a different shade than what is in mine. When I had it the first time, I bought a new carpet for it but didn’t put it in. It was a darker green and I decided the one in the car looked better. I still have that carpet if you are interested. I have a few other Jade Green interior parts as well.

BJ

__________________
1971 GTO 455 HO 4-speed - Cameo White, White Vinyl Top, Jade Green Interior, Ram Air Hood, AC, Honeycombs and 8-track 1974 Formula 455 I Owned in 1975-1976. Now Own Its Twin From Same Dealership

  #13  
Old 08-16-2019, 06:46 AM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default

BJ, good eye! The carpet was replaced by the seller a year or two back, and unfortunately, it's not the correct color (as you noted), or even the correct type (it's cut pile, not loop). My plan is to replace it with the correct style and color at some point in the near future, probably when I convert the car to a manual. For the time being, I'll be sorting out other mechanicals on the car, but the carpet is indeed on my radar.

Feel free to PM me about your carpet kit and the other jade interior pieces. I may be interested! Thanks!

__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #14  
Old 08-16-2019, 02:52 PM
unruhjonny's Avatar
unruhjonny unruhjonny is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 6,234
Default

very cool find!

I was thinking this was all cool before I read of your road trip or this:

Quote:
Also, having fallen in luv with daily driving an M-13 (3 speed) in my 72 LeMans GT the last 6 years, I searched for and found a spare M-13 that will be installed in this girl along the way too.
Where did you find your spare Muncie three speed?
My car is a way off from being driven, but everyone I have spoken to who drove a Muncie three speed car said something akin to thinking it was near perfect...

If you happen to stumble across more of them, please pass on the word (because of this).

I whole heartedly agree with this:
Quote:
Of course the biggest (unspoken) reason these trips go so well is that I see the hand of the Lord in every one. I've seen it so many times now over the years, it's almost fun to see what the Lord will do on each journey.

I mean as I think about it, the coil dies just a few miles from where I bought the car and the seller can rush me a spare in less than an hour? And then vapor lock occurs at just the perfect exit for me to do the repairs, cool off, and eat lunch? I just don't see these as coincidences. They're divine appointments.
The last time I did something such as yourself, I flew in to Fresno California to buy my Grand Am;
According to google maps, it's a little over 1,400 miles, but I took the scenic route, so I added several hundred miles along the way - All I can say is that the Pacific Coast Highway north of San Fran is gorgeous...

__________________
1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
  #15  
Old 08-16-2019, 06:03 PM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default

Thanks Johnny. I appreciate the comments!

I found my spare M-13 on Craigslist in Denver last year while doing one of my usual searches for (a running list of) things Pontiac. My head (and browser) is always on the hunt for things that I may have need of now, or will have need for in the future. So when this one popped up, I had a friend pick it up for me, and then I picked it from him earlier this summer while I was visiting Colorado in my 72 GT.

I think Preston (thepontiacman) here on PY had one for sale a year or two back as well. Maybe he still does?

And yes, the PCH north of San Fran is phenomenal.

__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #16  
Old 08-08-2020, 10:00 PM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default

Wow, has it been a year since I updated this thread? Geez! I guess as I look at the odometer on the 71, I see almost 10,000 miles since last August, so that must be right. My how the time marches on...

Anyway, I had a fun couple days doing a front suspension rebuild this week. (Pics below). I decided I'd try a set of those Chinese tubular A-arms, along with new springs, shocks & bigger sway. While I was in there, I opted for a new set of rotors & (ceramic) pads from my local Napa (the original were not only squeaking, but they were getting thin). I'm curious if the ceramics resist squealing better, as well as reducing brake dust compared to the traditional semi-metallic's. Cleaning the front wheels gets tiresome.

Today was the test drive. Apparently my calibrated eyeballs are still pretty close with the alignment. She tracked almost perfectly straight (slight tug to the right @ highway speeds), and stopped straight and smooth. And talk about tighter? Oh boy. All win!

The front is sitting a little higher than I like at the moment (stock height replacement springs which shows how bad the originals were sagging), but I plan to install 60 series tires up front in the next month or so. I believe that will set the stance exactly where I want it. That and the current 70 series tires are finally getting thin, but I couldn't justify removing them until I ran them down!

In the coming days I will tweak the alignment a little, and eventually find my way to an alignment shop to see how I did.

Later this month I plan to install the 3.07 12 bolt posi and sideline the 3.23 peg leg. Oh boy, I can hardly wait for that too!

Keep wrenching, and keep driving Gent's! It's all pure joy.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	80370632-E342-4C99-8882-E9CD704C8365.jpg
Views:	314
Size:	78.3 KB
ID:	546658   Click image for larger version

Name:	5B7CACBE-DE1A-4018-9F1D-D77C78FF66DF.jpg
Views:	284
Size:	68.8 KB
ID:	546659   Click image for larger version

Name:	9489F46B-FFA3-4BFB-85CB-DD170BA0D116.jpg
Views:	307
Size:	72.3 KB
ID:	546660   Click image for larger version

Name:	9CE96422-6470-47DD-91B8-4835ECEFA558.jpg
Views:	327
Size:	87.5 KB
ID:	546661   Click image for larger version

Name:	B33F508F-7636-41D4-99E3-A8A97D799F7F.jpg
Views:	303
Size:	59.8 KB
ID:	546662  


__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #17  
Old 08-08-2020, 11:28 PM
OVERULD's Avatar
OVERULD OVERULD is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 3,440
Default

Nice work Todd. Glad you are enjoying some driving and wrenching time on that beautiful car!

BJ

__________________
1971 GTO 455 HO 4-speed - Cameo White, White Vinyl Top, Jade Green Interior, Ram Air Hood, AC, Honeycombs and 8-track 1974 Formula 455 I Owned in 1975-1976. Now Own Its Twin From Same Dealership

  #18  
Old 08-10-2020, 01:52 AM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default

Thanks BJ!

By the way, if you still have that Jade carpet you want to get rid of, PM me. I'm thinking this fall will be the manual trans conversion, and a new carpet kit will be going in at that time. Only a few small pieces left to acquire before the conversion can happen.

Today I also tackled an persistent taillight grounding issue, causing intermittent dim or inop lights. The original harness had seen its better days. Most of the sockets were rusty, and no amount of cleaning and scothbrite ever solved the problem for long. Of course the lenses themselves were cracked too, so I decided a fresh harness and set of lenses were overdue.

Problem solved!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	25C7947D-1C1C-40C7-98CF-61BED48C2648.jpg
Views:	236
Size:	78.9 KB
ID:	546825   Click image for larger version

Name:	C9553925-D4E7-4379-A4A1-FE7CC7A9D326.jpg
Views:	255
Size:	61.7 KB
ID:	546826  

__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #19  
Old 08-23-2020, 12:43 AM
Mister Pontiac's Avatar
Mister Pontiac Mister Pontiac is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,055
Default

Been continuing the progress on the 71's suspension. This week, I finally pulled the original 3.23 open 10 bolt. Based on the stampings and date code, I have no reason to believe this rear was ever out of the car. After 50 years & 120k, some of the bolts let me know.

In its place, the long awaited 3.07, 12 bolt Posi has been installed. Been waiting to get to this!

Of course there are a million little details to the swap, but a few worth mentioning...

I had previously installed a set of 1" coil spring spacers (with the worn out factory springs) which had the rear sitting just about where I wanted it. Well with the new springs (and reinstalling the spacers), the rear is higher than I like now. I'm going to give it a little time to settle in, and I'll be installing some 60 series tires next month to drop the tire height an inch or so. At that point, if I still think it's too tall, I'll pull the spacers back out.



You may also notice I went with one of the T/A style cast rear covers. I decided to go that route primarily for the simplicity of filling and draining the pumpkin without needing to pull the cover. Whether or not there's any benefit to helping stabilize the bearing caps, I don't know. But since I also installed a set of no-hop bars, and they bolt in right in front of the factory fill plug, something needed to be sorted.

I also opted for a set of adjustable upper control arms in order to fine tune the pinion angle. I figured that was a good plan as I don't know what spring spacers (if any) I will continue to use in the years to come. Again, flexibility was key for me as this golden girl is my daily. I tend to change things up as time goes by.

Anyway, I've attached a few pics of my week's adventure. Of course I had to do a quick operational check after install too...
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	15BC7FC7-997A-4A12-A8E3-6395D34A1970.jpg
Views:	197
Size:	69.3 KB
ID:	547769   Click image for larger version

Name:	78AAD372-ADB3-487D-95B6-FA52A0571163.jpg
Views:	220
Size:	72.7 KB
ID:	547770   Click image for larger version

Name:	4E32A18D-8ED8-4BF0-8665-05A94F9158AF.jpg
Views:	209
Size:	68.8 KB
ID:	547771   Click image for larger version

Name:	D7A78969-7173-4644-AD3D-0D0EEB35DEEE.jpg
Views:	233
Size:	118.2 KB
ID:	547772   Click image for larger version

Name:	D34E77F8-E3F3-46FD-AD3E-A43A71D1E82A.jpg
Views:	214
Size:	126.9 KB
ID:	547773  


__________________
Eric "Todd" Mitten

'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
'67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi)

Deuteronomy 8:3
  #20  
Old 08-23-2020, 11:43 AM
SD455DJ SD455DJ is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 3,253
Default

Todd, very nice work! I, too, love the driving back home adventure you did last year...doing it alone took extra guts!

I'm thinking about no-hop bars on my 462 Lemans that has cargo springs in the back and sits too high making the "instant-center" too far forward allowing uncontrollable wheel-hop. I also think the bushings need replacement in all the control arms to tighten it up. Looks like your posi works well and you aren't getting any wheel-hop either! The LeMans also has a 3.08 12-bolt from a '70 GP (I had to replace the 3.07's that were worn with new 3.08's and an Eaton posi carrier). 18 mpg are entirely achievable at 65-70 mph cruise speed. You'll probably get low 20's with your YS 400.

On a side note, our younger brother and his wife lives in north Phoenix east of 51 1.5 miles and just south of Bell Rd. My youngest son live is Tucson, so we get to AZ every 2 years or so...love it in the wintertime!

I'm enjoying your posts on your progress...subscribed!

Dennis

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:32 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017