[bird72]

Originally Posted by giles

I've owned my '71 almost 40 years and have yet to replace the wiper blades. I can't remember the last time I switched them on!...wait I do know. I got caught in a rainstorm on the way to the TA nats in '02 (with Keith k and 455hota).

and how many use their windshield washers? I don't like getting bug water down my body shell opening. I have thought for me it is really dead weight to look correct and could just yank out. I carry windex and paper towels.

another not really needed item: exhaust manifold heat riser ducting and flaps activation. sure they come on and do something but we all drive in winter? more dead weight

[unruhjonny]

but to be 100% correct for any kind of judging, you need them;
The guys at the '06 TA Nats nearly broke out in cold sweats when I pulled up with a BONE STOCK appearing '73 Formula 350... with a hodge-podge drivetrain (parts from 69-72), yet it really looked unmodified.
Needless to say, I wasn't going to win anything on judging day - ha-ha-ha!

[edvisme]

This is a great thread with a lot of very god info, thank you for posting this.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

but to be 100% correct for any kind of judging, you need them;
The guys at the '06 TA Nats nearly broke out in cold sweats when I pulled up with a BONE STOCK appearing '73 Formula 350... with a hodge-podge drivetrain (parts from 69-72), yet it really looked unmodified.
Needless to say, I wasn't going to win anything on judging day - ha-ha-ha!

Its sorta confusing , in a way. The Stock appearing Drags are VERY popular, and yet Stock Appearing cars... well... But 90% of Judged cars ARE Internally MODIFIED.... Gasp..

Horray for your '73 !!

[unruhjonny]

I actually had it set up pretty well;
with the (77-W72) TH350 & 2.73 open diff, it was able to keep up to a '74 SD455 TA that I met up with in the Chicago area - the guy was down right surprised at how well I had that 400 set up!

But you are correct on all accounts;
To be points judged, they cannot inspect engine (ect) internals - but they will inspect that everything they can see is correct and in place;
The '73 had (I had a small typo in my last post) a 77-W72/4spd block, 1969 #62 heads, a '72 4 barrel intake & carb, and my '70 Formulas air cleaner... all the original accessories were still in place...


The stock appearing drags take it to a whole different level - everything has to appear correct (part numbers ect) but everything that you can do which is not observable is fair game - as I see it, that series really comes down to how deep your pocketbook is.
The '73, as I had it set up, at a glance appeared to be correct with no aftermarket stuff in sight - but when you looked closer, it was plainly obvious that the engine wasn't stock.

But I didn't go there to be points judged, I went because I wanted to attend since I first heard of the TA nat's - and I wanted to say I drove there!
I arrived with fresh paint, so the car looked great - but it did still need alot of work.
It was a REALLY long drive, and there were some big disappointments, but in the end it was a good experience.
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Calga....7589478?hl=en

I have since passed the car back to my brother, who was the previous owner - it has been converted to a four speed, and is getting totally redone - and as of this past week, that engine came back to my garage, and the heads have been sold.

To bring this back on topic - notice the standard (non-recessed) wipers!!

[bird72]

I just want to well represent the Poor Boy Stock Appearing Yes Incorrect Mutt category..... it has too many bad representatives with added spoilers

[Formulabruce]

Guilty on the spoiler, but I could point fingers LOL... But the 1980 I just got out of 20 years of storage has one!

[ctsplicer]

my question is how to mount the hidden transmission assy in my 71 that came with standard wipers. the standard setup uses 4 bolts and the hidden uses 6

[Transamric]

The pre-punched holes in the cowling top will work for both the 4 bolt and 6 bolt transmission linkages. You just don't use the extra hole on each side for the non-depressed park linkage.

[ctsplicer]

Thank you. Much appreciated

[Formulabruce]

The recessed wiper motor ( round) bolts to an adapter plate through grommets. the adapter plate bolts to firewall where the original Rectangular motor was.
the whole trans assembly bolts to pre punched holes with self tapping screws.

[ctsplicer]

Thank you. But I was asking about the wiper transmission assy. , not the wiper motor.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

The recessed wiper motor ( round) bolts to an adapter plate through grommets. the adapter plate bolts to firewall where the original Rectangular motor was.
the whole trans assembly bolts to pre punched holes with self tapping screws.

That second sentence..... .....

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by bird72

I had all the parts to convert and decided since my car is assembled and not in pieces, the bang for the buck wasn't there on the effort. The nubs sticking up used to bug me, don't even see them now. And I agree with the post that it is amazing they designed, produced and offered a sub 20 dollar option that involved so many different parts. They must have had to sell 3000 hidden ones to start even making a profit on them.

The Esprit and then T/A outsold all models..Both had this option standard, so theres a Million .. roughly