[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by camerjeff;

it has a lot of little things wrong, the wipers, blower motor, rear defogger, gas gauge, and the rt turn signals are inop.

That's pretty much all easy stuff, compared to the wierd electrical problems thread in the LOBBY.
The spoils of owning an old school car.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by blubomber

I don't think the frame metal is a heavier gauge. I think they just boxed the frames just like convertibles on all service vehicles, e.g. police and ambulances.

Good luck with the car. Are you going to re-do it as a police editions complete with paint scheme and decals?

I know this to be true with my '76, but GM police car frames right up through '96 had heavier steel to prevent flexing and fatigue. I am curious if the '71 frame is boxed.

[camerjeff]

It looks to be a boxed frame but I could not really get a good picture of it, Low trailer and very cold here last night when I was unloading. Also the car has no rear sway bar, and looks to have a normal thin front bar on it, that kinda sprized me!!!!

I had to do a Dukes of hazzards thing in and out of the drivers back window due to the height of the trailer, and fixed fenders on the trailer but not complaining as the car would not fin on a U-haul trailer, and a friend was kind enough to lend me his 16'er to go get it. Still happy with the car, but it will need a lot of Mechanical work before it is drivable. Looks like the carb is leaking fuel (no suprize there) And all the fluids changed
Considering the carb it does run well.

I will be calling Ram Air Restorations later this morning before leaving for work.

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by camerjeff

Ben,

After a quick search it looks like the under hood braces were a 71 and 72 only thing, so you are correct that they were gone by 73. A lot of the under hood pictures only had the passenger side remaining on the car. I wonder what task requires removing the drivers side brace? I guess I will find out soon!!!!

Camerjeff,

Here are a few close-up pics of my underhood braces. Sorry for the poor quality (dark and phone camera). I hope they help. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of the Enforcer.

Dennis

[camerjeff]

Made some progress today. pulled the complete rusted original exhaust system off the car. And removed the incorrect 72 Log manifolds, the lousy 4 bolt type. Date coated 3-72 so made over a year after the car. And pulled the carb for rebuilding, the accelerator pump is squirting fuel out the top with every shot.

Hope the New Ram Air manifolds show up soon.

[camerjeff]

I was given the ok to post the distant photo I was sent showing what is probably my car parked in the Police Cheif's spot dated 10-20-71 (the day my Wife was Born by the way)

Shows the car all Cameo White, 1 Red Bubble Gum type Roof Light, and the Delux full Wheel covers, and a simple yellow shield on the front doors is all I can make out.

Spoke to the Local PD today also, and they are going to ask the retiree's if anyone may have some pic's.

Fingers crossed.

[jmt455]

That's so cool, Jeff!

[The Boss]

Very cool!

[Pontiacdaver]

Jeff,

It sounds like mechanically, the car wasn't quite what you expected (which, in reading the eBay listing, nothing was said about it not being in good running condition) but is still, in my opinion, a great find. Love the vintage photo, and with the connection to your Wife's Birthday, means you were meant to have it, LoL
I expect the same issues from my 74 GP, which I hope to have in my possession in the next week or so. Anyway, in the interest of not stealing your thread, you have a very cool car that will be the only one at any car show, even an all Pontiac show. Hopefully, we will be able to meet at Norwalk.

Dave

[Stuart]

One exhaust manifold was cracked if I remember correctly from the auction listing? My old '71 Catalina had a cracked manifold as well (I think it was the passenger side) but I drove it that way for probably a decade...it made a ticking noise on acceleration but otherwise didn't seem to hurt anything. I thought about trying to replace it, but the bolts were rusted on tight and I decided to leave well enough alone.

[77 Canamman]

This Catalina does need an exhaust manifold replaced as it is cracked, and an exhaust system. It runs drives, shifts, and stops.

The auction description was clear enough..

[camerjeff]

I agree, I can't say the ad was not accurate. Even though neither exhaust manifold was cracked. Both gaskets were blown on the incorrect 72 log manifolds. The engine does run remarkably well, and the car does move and stop even though both the master cylinder and the power booster are iffy.
I have fixed the heater blower motor, and the blinkers, both easy fixes. I am happy with the car. Just expected maint items on a car that has sat for over 43+ years. The interior is actually in very nice shape, and the body is not bad.

Now I am thinking I may have to see if it qualifies for the Pure Stock Races, I haven't owned anything that would qualify sense I sold my 72 T/A to many years ago to get the down payment on my 1st house.

[jmt455]

I can see it now...

Leave the line late and chase the other car down the track with the siren blaring and the roof light flashing.

I see many YouTube videos in your future!

[zeebo]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

Camerjeff,

Here are a few close-up pics of my underhood braces. Sorry for the poor quality (dark and phone camera). I hope they help. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of the Enforcer.

Dennis

that is vet odd about pontiacs not having those underhood braces...my 73 delta 88 has them from the factory..weird....

[camerjeff]

I agree, a member here set me up with a pair of good used 71-71 Fender braces, odd that the 73-76 B-body Pontiac's did not have them, but it was probably a cost Weight thing, and might have to do with the redesign that the 5mph bumpers required, who knows.
Making Slow but steady progress, did a light service this weekend, Oil & Filter change, greased the front end. Belts and Hoses. Still waiting for the RARE Manifolds, and the Carb Rebuild. Hopefully will be on the road before May so I can test the Trans. I have to order a Brake Booster and Master Cylinder, Hopefully that is all that is wrong with the brakes.
And decide what Tires to run. looks like the tires that are on it are early to mid 70's Michelin P series Radials. I don't think I will trust them for anything but around the neirborhood.

[77 Canamman]

I would run a P235/70-15 size on that car. I had a '75 Dodge Monaco police car and it looked just right with that size tire.

[goatless]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

I would run a P235/70-15 size on that car. I had a '75 Dodge Monaco police car and it looked just right with that size tire.

I agree on that size. I just got a set of these for my son's '77 Bonneville, in 225/70/15 since it's a smaller car. They've got good ratings and they're cheap since they're on closeout. They have white letters too if you want that look. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes


If you want to go a bit meatier you could run 255/60 all the way around.

[Stuart]

They had G78 tires originally, which translates to a 215/75 today. A 235/70 is just a hair taller than s 215/75, so it would be a good choice.

[camerjeff]

Thanks for the thoughts on the tires, I will probably got with at least 235/70's. I will have to look at what is out there.

Didn't get much done this weekend, did rebuilt the carb, very odd wear on this one, its a good thing I decided to rebuild the carb, I do not know if the secondary air horn ever worked on this carb, jammed shut by a metal burr at the top of the passenger side bore. And the secondary throttle plates had about 1/2" of what looked like Dried red clay above the blades. Glad I never tried to Open them with the engine running!!!! The primary side of the fuel bowl was clear, but the secondary side was full off brown silt, that I later figured out was magnetic, so it looks like I will be dropping the fuel tank for a good cleaning, and at least blowing out the lines. Gas gauge isn't working so I am hoping it was just the remains of a rusted out fuel sock in the carb. But I won't know until I look into it.

I did get the New Ram Air Restorations Manifolds last week, they sure are pretty, now just have to get the ambition to lift them into place. Hopefully this week if the weather stays as nice as its been.

[SD455DJ]

camerjeff, I have 235R75x15 Michelin's on mine and they have been through alot. They have been great tires, but have been on the car for 30 years(!) and need to be replaced. I'd like to find new tires as good as these have been, but the new (bad) rubber compounds only last ten years at the most. These are nice and tall (28") and with the 2.73 rear end tachs at 2000 rpm at 60 mph, or 2350 rpm at 70 mph which isn't too bad.

Which manifolds are you installing, the long branch or 2nd gen F/A body ones? Good thing you caught the carb and fuel delivery problems now. That is going to be a great driver once you've gone through it.

Looking forward to more updates and pics!

Dennis