[David Brown]

What is really crazy, is I drove the car for 10,000 miles, relying on low rpm torque. I knew something was wrong as the rattle got worse. What is amazing, and a tribute to the ruggedness of the Pontiac engine, is after I had the crank turned 10 thousands and fitted with new bearings, it was fine again. Nothing but splash and the little that might have come around the back of the bearing and then through the hole in the bearing in the cap. How many beers did the guy drink before he did this?

[blubomber]

I have never seen that style bracket before.
Yes, I have both Instant Air and the Automatic Ride Leveler system on the car. [I] think the ARL was std on GP SJ's.

In '69 the HO air cleaner had a shorter and wider snorkel than the std one which was longer and thinner. An air cleaner from the early '70's seems to be very similar.

[blubomber]

here is a picture of an HO air cleaner

[David Brown]

The 69 A/C bracket is totally different than the 70, as is the alternator bracket. The 70 is steel, and much thinner than the 69. The instant Aire bracket mounts to 2 stud top intake manifold bolts, and the top also acts as a belt adjuster. Does your A/C bracket have a hole so the top of the bracket can be attached?

[blubomber]

no, I don't thiink so but I'll look again tonite. The air reservoir bracket for my car is "U" shaped and bolts to the front of the head and to one of the valve cover screws.

[David Brown]

Maybe my Instant Aire connector bracket was for 70 only. I'm not sure if it was offered after 1970. It is interesting talking with someone else who has the option. Most people have never even heard of it, let alone seen it. Have you actually run yours? It is loud, like a small garage compressor. I have run it at car shows to show people what it is, and the racket attracts a crowd.

[north]

I have-had one on my 69 Bonnie. It's on the build sheet and I have the unit in the trunk. The bracket on the engine is missing but I can see the outline of it (engine has never been painted) and it was the curved bracket. The special fitting to draw vacuum from the PCV line is also present. I'd love to round up the missing bits one day.

My car was very heavily factory optioned including a few unusual things like;
Speed warning and gauge package
Trunk mat (the large grey rubber mat)
Brougham package

From what I can figure the only options it was missing were the HO engine and shoulder belts (it's a rag top)? By memory there are 34 or so options on the PHS.

[blubomber]

I have the complete kit and it does work (and it is loud). My bracket is the curved one, they also made one that was straight but I don't know why. I do know that the instant air unit prevents the use of a dual snorkle air cleaner. Maybe the strait bracket allowed for it?

North, any interest in possibly using my bracket as a template to have a new one made at a machine shop?

[69tempcusts]

Thanks for the info on all the accessories and options. One thing id like to find out is what the cost of power locks was. I have never seen another car with power locks like this has. Its all vacuum operated which blows my mind. Ya know that solenoid on the starter? Yep works exactly the same as modern power locks which makes me wonder why on earth you would make the system vacuum rather than electric like the windows. The technology was already on the car! Probably cost savings when building the cars i assume.

[blubomber]

Don't know the price of the power locks but would assume them to be in the $50 range. 1969 was the last year for vacuum power locks for Pontiac. Cadillac started moving to the electric locks in '67 or '68. Not sure about the other divisions. I assume it was a capacity issue based on expected demand.

Shoot, if you think vacuum power locks were weird then you need to go even further back to when the windshield wipers and the trunk relase were vacuum operated.

[David Brown]

I don't think the curved on would work with a 70 because the A/C bracket was totally different. The bracket attaches to the top of an A/C adjusting bracket. The Service Manual list one for A/C and one without.

[69tempcusts]

Haha true bluomber. My 53 IH R-110 has the good ole vacuum wipers. . . **** a hill lmao

[69tempcusts]

Hey guys im looking for a little honest feedback. I did my grille how i had envisioned it this past weekend but im not sure if im sold on the look. I like how it looks but i dont love how it looks. I want you guys to give me your honest opinion on the grill good or bad. Im just curious to see how people recieve it. Ive always blacked out my grills on these pontiacs because quite frankly i hate the look of that silver crap they painted on all the grills. Let me know what ya think! (no hard feelings i promise )

[elefantrider]

bad with the red

[north]

I can imagine the idea is to pick up the red from the side moldings? Somehow though it comes off too strong in comparison.

perhaps it needs toning down?

[David Brown]

Yeah, my eyes are drawn to the red and not to the car. It kind of over powers. I should be looking at your beautiful car, not the red stripe in the grill.

[jmt455]

I agree that the red seems to dominate the view.

I would try dark (smoke) gray grille and replace the red accent with argent silver.

I would I'd keep the red filled letters in the Bonneville emblem.


HMMM...
I just looked at your "Before" pics.
What I described above is very similar to the original look, but with the red letters in the grille emblem.

[Dave R]

I think we need a better picture. One that lights up the side as well (outside shot maybe?). The stripe looks overpowering in the grille because it's the focus of the photo.

[69tempcusts]

Thanks for your honest opinions guys! I also feel as tho i need to pull this car outside, step a few feet back, and snap a picture. This way i can take in the whole car and really see what im dealing with. Another problem i have is the stripes on the side are a different color than the grille red because the red on the side is 3m stripe tape and the grill is single stage fire red.

[rexs73gto]

I like the red stripe but I think the grille should be the factory silver so it will tone the red down a bit.