[starlightblack]

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

Starlightblack

Thankyou for the invite. I would love to have the car their but I am in Australia and I have a lot of work ahead of me before this car sees the Pavement again. I hope 5 years. 10 MAX but I am sure many have said this before also.

My car was a 2nd Week DEC 72 build so it actually is 40 years this week. It is in great condition for its age I could never have it ready in 11 months.

Maybe one day it will see US soil again.

doesn't have to be ready, people would love to see this historic vehicle, regardless of its current condition,

[mscicluna007]

So I filled a large Gap in previous owner History as I have been intouch with the owner last Sunday who owned the car from 1982 - 1987 . We talked for an hour and he knew the car inside out and where he bought it from.

He purchashed the car from a caryard in Upper North Queensland in Australia. The car was put in the yard to attract people onto the premises. It was placed at the front of the yard for the first week than it was slowly drawn further into the yard as it attracted alot of attention and was used to sell other cars or at least for the salesmen to get a chance to talk to people.

He purchased this car from the yard and where ever it was driven it attracted attention. He would come out of shopping centres and their would be a small crowd around it and people snapping photos with their kids.

He took the car with him when he moved south to Canberra in Lower N.S.W. where he really had trouble registering the car in 1985. They were demanding he modify the seat belts and drill holes in places he did not want to. They wanted him to fit blinkers to the guards so they could be better seen and amber ones in the rear. In the end he gave up and removed it from the road and gave it to his son for the next 2 years who later in 1987 sold it to move onto other projects.

I have since recieved some photos but the quality has detiorated over the years but you can see the obvious that the eagle is incorrect. The Decal on the rear spoiler was incorrect.

The wheels are correct and date coded to the car but at some stage were painted to match also and the saddle tan interior can be seen but the seats had a velour glued onto them due to wear on the vinyl.

The exhaust was replaced and received the later exhaust tips.

The lower spoiler is a rubber inserted into a steel strip which was riveted to the lower valence which is how I recieved the car. Maybe the original bar was damaged moving the car to Australia in 1980-1981.

This owner was still very proud of the car and was sad to hear of its current condition after it had been sold on but is really glad to hear it has survived and will see the road again.

I have also received some old negatives so I hope to try and get some great prints out of that.

I really wished I bought the car in this condition but one day it will look worthy of a TA again and alot more original.

Oh yeah and I love the end of the Number Plates. NME (ENEMY)

Michael

[mscicluna007]

So I purchashed some correct 73 parts from Leigh today and hoped I could clear up some of the problems I was faced with.

The Proprtioning Valve that I had Was a Bendix unit. I am still not sure if it was original so I won't Discard it yet but I have an origianl 73 Proprtioning Valve that appears to be correct for my car.

Here is a few Pictures of the unit I received today and the old unit as a comparison.

Similar but I am not sure if it was correct. Feel free to Let me know if anyone has seen bendix units on these cars before.

[mscicluna007]

With the RHD Conversion their was a few modifications to the Braking System.

First of all the Brake Pedal Assembly Brakcet became a cut and shut to an Australian Vehicle Pedal System and to adapt the Brake Booster Shaft was cut and a modified adapter was fitted.

I have since sourced parts to replace these as I am going to convert to LHD and I don't need unsightly MODIFICATIONS to my car plus it is probably dangerous when you really look at what was done.

The Old brake booster is the Black One and the Lighter one I bought from Leigh as he had no need for it anymore from his 73 car.

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

So I purchashed some correct 73 parts from Leigh today and hoped I could clear up some of the problems I was faced with.

The Proprtioning Valve that I had Was a Bendix unit. I am still not sure if it was original so I won't Discard it yet but I have an origianl 73 Proprtioning Valve that appears to be correct for my car.

Here is a few Pictures of the unit I received today and the old unit as a comparison.

Similar but I am not sure if it was correct. Feel free to Let me know if anyone has seen bendix units on these cars before.

That original valve is what I have in my '72

[mscicluna007]

Oh man that cam sounds awesome. Thanks for the Videos Leigh.

Its definately a distinct sound with the 041 Spec RAM AIR IV Cam.

I think this is a match to the SD Heads for sure now.

[Held for Ransom]

I wish the people with '73s would respond to your questions.

As far as I know, that style of Kelsey Hayes combination valve was not used in '73.

[Tunas73TA]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

I wish the people with '73s would respond to your questions.

As far as I know, that style of Kelsey Hayes combination valve was not used in '73.

Not sure this helps but here is the pic of the Prop valve in my 73 that I believe to be original.



After cleanup:

[njsteve]

The brass ones were later replacements, I believe. The brass units are also what they sell in the aftermarket. The original cast iron ones are hard to come by since they tend to corrode more than brass.

[Held for Ransom]

Steve,
Yours was cast with the Bendix name, not with the Delco symbol ( ) ?

[njsteve]

Ill look in the garage but i dont think it has any name on it. I have some photos in my 72 Formula thread.

[Held for Ransom]

http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=629738
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=644339

Two good threads.

[njsteve]

Here is the valve from my late December-built 1972 Trans Am 455HO, 4-speed with power disc brakes and 15" wheels: (sorry, I dont have the reverse side photo)



Here is the valve from my late December-built, 1972 Formula 455HO, 4-speed with power disc brakes and the Trans Am supension option and 15" wheels:





As you can see they used different design valves even though it was the same application and built during the same week on the same assembly line (Norwood). So either one of the two you have would be OK for your application.

Hope this helps.

(And I'd be happy to take over the rest of your resto if you wanna trade) :-)

[LeighP]

Looks like you have a choice, Michael. Any chance you can spot the original valve in any of the magazine article pics?

[Held for Ransom]

Chuck, I knew you had the brass unit, because I saw it in your thread, thanks.
Stamp/Date code WV 3 155 is June 4th, '73 (or '83, or '93 or '03).

Steve, I didn't know they used the KH (Kelsey Hayes) unit as early as or earlier than '72.

I figured the Bendix combo valve would have only been used with the Bendix master. It seems it may be marked similar to Chucks' unit ? V 233 ? (Aug 20th, if 1972).

[mscicluna007]

Thanks HFR for your help. Those threads are great reads and I will get through them in the next week or so.

I have taken the time to take the BENDIX Combination Valve down to a local Brake Specialist who was well recomended and deals with Hot Rods/American And Vintage Cars.

He had a quick look and said its definately off an American Car so This part may just be original to this car and maybe some other Dec 2nd week 1972 build cars.

The only problem is the BENDIX Stamping sits facing the brakcet towards the Cowl so unless it is out of your car you may not see it.

This Unit does have the V 233 date stamping.

I have re posted the pictures for the purpose of helping trigger somebodies memory.

The brake specialist will rebuild my Master Cylinder, Combination Valve and Brake Booster and is able to plate the booster.

Can anyone give me specifics on the plating method and or colour I would need for the Brake Booster.

Michael

[wwilder9]

My Feb 73 car had that same Bendix prop valve, I have it off the car and it also needs rebuilt, I have looked every where for a rebuild kit, The rebuild kit above is not the right one for it, The valve looks just like yours, I'll get you some pictures soon as I charge my camera up.

[mscicluna007]

My local guy said he has a place interstate who fabricates all the parts he just needs to disassemble and than he can order them in.

In the meantime I have emailed InLineTubes to see if they stock rebuild kits or can obtain them for these units.

[falcon4]

For what it's worth, my '76 400 auto (originally) has a bendix proportioning valve as well.

[Brewster]

The Bendix valve is correct and there was even a decal off the engine end that hung with two letters on it. I dont remember off hand which letters but will be in my garage later this week and try and post a picture.