70 TA Back from the shop
 

Ok, well finally got the car back from the shop a couple weeks ago, but I've been busy...

It has a newly rebuilt rear end. It had 4.88 gears and a bent axle. It now has 3.31 gears and a new axle. I also put in a 7/8 anti-sway bar (it previously had a 5/8 which looked original). Had some minor electrical things fixed (horn, reverse lights). Front end alignment, steering wheel straightened, new tires, hood adjustment, drivers door adjustment, throttle linkage adjustment/repair.

Running very good now. Great drivability with the 3.31 gear. No leaks, so they got the pinion shaft seal thing right.

I probably forgot at least a couple things.

Anyway, here she is with the new BFG 245/60 15 front 255/60 15 rear tires.

https://i.imgur.com/a5qMplvl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XDYNQnpl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gEg6I0Jl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wO7ueUPl.jpg

Wow, very nice! Looks great!

Nice car! Question though was the no trim rings on the rally’s a stock thing with these TA’s? I thought that was only on GTO’s?

Drive ability up 80% ! Bet it makes it a lot more desirable to drive!. I am doing a 3.31 set up now for a buddy

No trim rings were stock on 15" tire birds in 1970 with Rally 2 15" RIMS with the 14" center, which makes a wide lip look on stock $$$$ 1970 wheels.

Looks nice. Hope you keep the Nose sticker in the file cabinet, and the Bumper bare White.

400 will like the 3.31:1.
455 will better like a 3.08:1 ! Posi!!

I read somewhere that the trim rings were available as a dealer installed option. Is that correct or did they not fit at all due to the fact that they were modified 14 inch wheels?

Nice car! Does it have headers and is it an auto or stick? Reason I ask is I just got a 71 and the reverse lights do not work, I have auto with headers. I remember reading somewhere that with headers some bracket? or something will not make them work. So what was done with the reverse lights...just curious.

" So what was done with the reverse lights" back in the day I just added a toggle switch on the dash.

Car looks fantastic and I'm sure it is quite a difference with the new gears

Trim rings were an option. My '70 had them on the original purchase order.

Just be aware that back in the day there were many Rally II trim rings. Basically originals were sharp edged and shiny. By about '73 they were not.

I bet it cruises better. 4.88's are crazy gears. I can't even imagine. With a decent engine, you should have made a racket and laid rubber just trying to drive it, ha. I drove a 455 bird from Oregon to Montana 25 years ago. It had 4.11. There were a couple of eastern Oregon, Idaho stretches where I was just above empty pulling into a gas station. Along with hearing RPM's the whole trip. Had a RAIV cam, so it was my radio. Is your speedo sorted out? That is on my to do list, need tranny gear to correct, I read low a bit.

Congrats on the upgrades. Looks great. Makes me miss mine.

Oldsmobile rings look the best IMO..

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, it cruises much more comfortably now. The 4.88 was downright unpleasant. Still has decent acceleration, but I haven't really given her the full juice yet because the motor only has about 250 or so miles on it since the rebuild.

The gear change did require a new speedo gear. I got lucky because when they put in the 4.88 they used a spacer so I didn't have to change the carrier.

The problem I had with the reverse lights was that the reverse lockout lever is missing. Eventually, I'll get that but for now my guy just installed a switch on the shifter that is activated when I go into reverse.

'70 Trans Ams came standard with no trim rings, but the trim rings were an available option for something like $20 retail.

'70 Formulas with the 15" rally wheel option (which was rarely selected, because at ~$150 it was a relatively expensive option) came standard with the trim rings.

I'm not installing anything aftermarket on this car. Its not 1976 and im not butchering this car with other switches or toggles.

Keith, cool about the 15" wheel option for the 70 Formula. I had not heard that one before.

Car looks straight and it holds a great stance. Love it! Like the jack stand cushions too. Wouldnt it have a 3.08 with a/c and auto and 3.55:1 with a four speed? Why the 3,31 gears set? Just curious on set-up.

Hey Brew! '70 Auto/AC TA's came with 3.31's in the 12-bolt from what I understand.

Dennis