[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by Judge273

Norwood calls it an original dipped lacquer paint one.

I just hate the repainted ones that used the wrong paint.

1971-2...


1973...


Reproduction...

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by Judge273

I think I know what you're saying Chris. But, it had a double meaning in HS.

While you're at it Dennis get some comfort weave in those seats too...

Oh no. I'm not buying no stinkin' sienna comfort weave......well, maybe I should since it's on the door panels, and it would make the interior look correct, and it can't cost that much, and it was an option ordered on the car, and, and.......nope I can't stop, please help mmmeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

[SD455DJ]

HFR,

The reproduction piece is nicer than I expected, but not entirely faithful to every detail of the originals.

Dennis

[The Boss]

I think they make one with the second heat riser.

We like to pick these repop parts apart, but without them we'd be making them ourselves.

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

OMG! The creep is in high gear around the 455HO Garage on the car and I'm looking forward to getting this baby on the road this summer. It really needs new paint and the few body issues repaired, but the car deserves it. 455HO Formulas are on the verge of going big in the marketplace with only 2 year production and less than 600 made with and without RA.

Dennis

Mission creep

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Mission creep is easily identifiable. It is often accompanied by the need to offer a rationalization as to the necessity for expansion of the project or mission, frequently expressed on economic terms. The afflicted person will usually practice by using the rationalization on his/her peer support group before explaining it to their significant other."

[SD455DJ]

I think I'm in denial. Now that it has been confirmed that I have the dreaded mission creep disease, I need to know if 15x7 Honeycombs came with the Handling Package, did you also get a 15x7 Honeycomb wheel for the spare?

Thanks, Dennis

[Judge273]

Mike, 71-72 RA cleaners that I've seen that are original have a more glossy uniform look to them? The one you show for 71-72 looks more duller and grainy?

Not sure why the RA cleaners would be different than regular ones too?

[Held for Ransom]

I was just pointing out mine was repainted (the restored word won't be used here) and I hate it. Even the '73 unit had car lot resale paint on it. Air cleaners were suppose to be gloss black (in lacquer to a certain point in time).

[RicksGTO]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

I need to know if 15x7 Honeycombs came with the Handling Package, did you also get a 15x7 Honeycomb wheel for the spare?

Thanks, Dennis

in '71, the handling package was originally supposed to come standard with 15x7 Honeycombs but there was a production delay on the 15" Honeycombs so 15x7 Rally II's were included at a slightly lower cost for the package until later in the '71 model year when the HC's were ready. I'd assume the spare would be a HC as well since the spare on the Rally II's was the same as the wheels on the car but not 100% sure on the HC's. Assuming of course that the space saver option wasn't ordered.

[SD455DJ]

Here's a shot of the new dash pad and everything put back together.

While we wait for some more parts to arrive we are going to swap out the Comp Cams XE274H-10 cam for the Summit 2801 cam kit, which will suite the 8.2:1 actual static compression ratio better. 214/224 vs 230/236 to bring back the torque its missing.

The Desk Top Dyno doesn't like the low compression and guessed 350 hp and 450 lbft of torque with the 2801 cam. It hated the CC XE274 cam with no loss of hp, but 40 lbft less max torque at 1000 rpm higher and across the board. Proof that you don't want to overcam a low compression motor, even a torque monster 455. To be fair to Comp Cams, a smaller XE cam would work better like a 212/218. Dan knows how to get the DTD to predict numbers fairly accurately and if anything are a little on the conservative side.

Dennis

[Bentwheelbob]

Wow, that looks great. Did you replace the gauge lenses and dash bulbs while you had everything out? How about the heater core and kick panels?

I have to admit I am getting little worried about seeing the car in Dayton. First the rubber roof, then the paint, then the interior, now a new cam.... I'm afraid this about to get totally out of control like the Gold Car has and the next thing we know all you'll have is a pile of parts and fasteners.

Good luck!

[SD455DJ]

Yeah Bob, I'm seeking treatment, but it's not working real well.

Everything in the dash is original, I just lightly polished the lenses and wiped the dust off the dial faces. Fortunately the heater core was recently replaced before I bought it and we did repalce all the bulbs while the gauge clusters were out. But, we may need to replace the headlight switch as the dash lights come on when the feel like it. Fortunately, that isn't too difficult to replace.

I'm fighting the urge to start cleaning, and then the next thing you know you're taking things apart, buying parts and painting. I am going to keep reminding myself that this is a driver, this is a driver, this is a driver,..................

Actually the interior is staying the way it is. I'm not going to look for the correct deluxe interior comfort weave material just yet, maybe next year. Mechanically it has been completely rebuilt, the rear end, brakes, suspension, bushings, etc. The FP radiator was even nicely recored recently.

But, this weekend is going to test my willpower when Dan and I go to take a look at my old SD455 TA at Darrell Davison's restoration shop and he's trying to convince me to have him paint the Formula since he has an opening! (very tempting)

Wish me luck!

Dennis

(Picture of the old dash and console)

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by The Boss

I think they make one with the second heat riser.

We like to pick these repop parts apart, but without them we'd be making them ourselves.

...and there is something wrong with that?

[transam1972]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

HFR,

The reproduction piece is nicer than I expected, but not entirely faithful to every detail of the originals.

Dennis

...I agree, in fact so nice that if I had a FORMULA I would use that part (just for the $ savings alone and it would be brand new)...perhaps a side by side comparison and you can notice some differences but so what..we who are in the know or THOSE WHO HAVE a perfect original need to be quiet and appreciate the part for what it is..it even has those squiggly wiggly line impressions...I bet I would dig it if I held one in my hands...and any perfectionist most likely could take it one step further and modify and add any missing studs or brackets or whatever to have what was closest to what was originally on there FORMULA..or just leave it alone...thanks for posting those photos HELD FOR RANSOM!!

[transam1972]

SD455DJ are those repop door panels??...if so whos are they??..what about the arm rests??..those door panels look fantastic!!..come on, really?!..perforated comfortweave over the faux??...the LEGENDARY 1970 & 71 SEAT COVERS & DOOR PANELS could be made that way if you secure the correct material (but it may be possible the color could be off)...1970 & 71 FIREBIRD owners have more to worry bout than holes in the seats..I believe it to be a non issue..IMO...WAIT wrong seat covers..but if the door panels are original they would have comfotweave

[SD455DJ]

transam1972,

Yes, the door panels are the original ones as well as the armrests.

Dennis

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head

...and there is something wrong with that?

Nothing! How about you take one of these snow days and throw together that non Ram Air HO one for me? I may not be good at cutting and welding but I am good at writing a check!

[muscle_collector]

[marxjunk]

chris look on search tempest...do a 400 mile radius of KC the an HO non ra, cleaner on there some where..i saw it sunday..a real one..and nice..i thought it was cheap..if you really need one

[transam1972]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

transam1972,

Yes, the door panels are the original ones as well as the armrests.

Dennis

...wow!..they look really nice (deluxe, my favorite)..you can see that mottling effect (like 1974 blue) in the original door panels as others on the forum (2MANYT/AS) has mentioned..I wonder if LEGENDARY seat covers & door panel material matches in this regard..anyway, very nice and keep it together!..(the car that is)