[4birds]

Anthony, its good to hear your HO build is moving forward.
I built my 72 T/A HO engine almost identical to Rocky Rotella's build posted on this thread on 8-18-15. (post #2552) I used the same Comp Cams custom roller that he used. My car runs very strong, and is pretty docile just cruising around town.
Prior to that build, I had a Crane blueprint Ram Air IV cam with Rhodes lifters. That combo ran great for about 15+ years. With Radial T/A's, 3.42's, M22 trans through full exhaust it ran 14.29 @ 103 here in Salt Lake City (Altitude 4400')
My recent rebuild using the Comp hydraulic roller cam feels just a little bit stronger. I haven't run it down the quarter mile yet to see the actual difference. It still hurts to think of the cost of going to the hydraulic roller vs. the old flat tappet cams.

Jay

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by bird72

So THX to a great member here for a crank. Local machinist just did complete diagnosis that explained motor history. Bottom end was built 20+ yrs ago.

Bad align bore when 4 bolt caps added then.
Bad piston clearance ring to bore.
Result very bad crank scarring one spot and scuffed forged pistons. I used a Chevy racer machine shop guy in Oregon. Bonehead errors. Bad move I guess. I did hammer on that engine.

Good news is Matt's HO heads reported as "very nice".

Very happy with my machinists diligence. Block off to be align bored properly.

>> One thing to keep in mind that usually is NOT in the mind of a machinist is that when the Align bore takes place,( Its NOT a Chevy) The crank is often placed "higher" in the block, which isnt a big deal if you run a ROPE SEAL. If you run a IA 2 piece seal you should make SURE some work is done to Ensure the rough cast Seal grove is concentric to the crank. I have been down this road a couple times and had perfect running engines PISS out the rear main...Just a friendly heads up Good luck!!

[bird72]

For FYI original info I got from Cliff:

"455 Super Duty, no porting anyplace, zero decked/squared, Icon pistons on Eagle rods, stock #16 heads, stock intake, q-jet and stock manifolds. It cranked out 440hp/540tq on the dyno......

The cam is a custom grind, specs out at 284/296, 230/242 and 112LSA. Degree the intake at 108-109 for auto trans, 109-110 for stick shift cars. It’s got .361” lobes..."

[RicksGTO]

anyone else notice the '72 Formula 455HO for sale in this link that was posted in the torsion rod tightening thread today:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/239887492873769/

Have to scroll down a bit and the click the view other replies a time or two to get the additional pics and details. Not sure if that might be the black car that sold out of Pennsylvania a few years ago on Ebay or not. If I remember right, it had an interesting story on the way it got painted black as well.

[hiyabradHO]

Originally Posted by RicksGTO

anyone else notice the '72 Formula 455HO for sale in this link that was posted in the torsion rod tightening thread today:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/239887492873769/

Have to scroll down a bit and the click the view other replies a time or two to get the additional pics and details. Not sure if that might be the black car that sold out of Pennsylvania a few years ago on Ebay or not. If I remember right, it had an interesting story on the way it got painted black as well.

What is the story on how is was painted black at the factory?

[RicksGTO]

good memory Steve, so that one would have been a Revere Silver car if not for the change! The one I remember seeing on eBay about 8-10 years ago was in a little better shape and was supposed to have been delivered to the dealer with a green bumper and some black paint in the truck. It was sold at Brown Pontiac (Arlington, VA) and is in the registry.

[njsteve]

I believe that is the original factory show car that was built for the VP of Pontiac to convince him not to kill the Firebird in 1972. I was coded for silver but painted black at the factory and then optioned out to his liking. He liked the car so much he let the Firebird live (for another 30 years).

It would make a really nice restoration project for someone who has the time and funds. If I recall correctly it needs rear frame rails.

This is the car when it was at the Volo Auto Sales a decade or so ago;

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by RicksGTO

good memory Steve, so that one would have been a Revere Silver car if not for the change! The one I remember seeing on eBay about 8-10 years ago was in a little better shape and was supposed to have been delivered to the dealer with a green bumper and some black paint in the truck. It was sold at Brown Pontiac (Arlington, VA) and is in the registry.

I think the Virginia car was another "--" paint coded car (and an automatic)? The Pontiac VP car has the code for silver on the tag.

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by RicksGTO

anyone else notice the '72 Formula 455HO for sale in this link that was posted in the torsion rod tightening thread today:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/239887492873769/

Have to scroll down a bit and the click the view other replies a time or two to get the additional pics and details. Not sure if that might be the black car that sold out of Pennsylvania a few years ago on Ebay or not. If I remember right, it had an interesting story on the way it got painted black as well.

That's the Formy that myself, gto4door and Bob Wicker inspected for a forum member here on PY, back in early 2009. It was a consigned car for sale at an exotic car dealership here in Houston.

Please - no offense to the owner/seller - but it was REALLY crusty from the doors back and really solid from the doors forward! Kinda weird. Dunno if the seller has repaired any of the issues yet or not.

[Lloyd-TX]

Cowl tag close-up, pretty much illegible, unfortunately.

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by njsteve

I think the Virginia car was another "--" paint coded car (and an automatic)? The Pontiac VP car has the code for silver on the tag.

Correct.

[RicksGTO]

Originally Posted by Lloyd-TX

Cowl tag close-up, pretty much illegible, unfortunately.

Lloyd, I kept the PHS from that car you guys inspected and forgot about it till you mentioned it now. It had 28 options on the PHS, maybe more after they made it to his order. The copy of the PHS is pretty fuzzy at the top.

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by RicksGTO

Lloyd, I kept the PHS from that car you guys inspected and forgot about it till you mentioned it now. It had 28 options on the PHS, maybe more after they made it to his order. The copy of the PHS is pretty fuzzy at the top.

Hey Rick. I thought that I had a scan of that PHS invoice on my PC, but can't find it.

Thanks for chiming in, and I hope that all is well.

[RicksGTO]

Hey Lloyd, thanks, I just emailed that doc to you. Hope you are doing well too!

[RamAir]

https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail/PJ0...ula/Automatic/

Hasn't this car been discussed on the board? Just sold Portland Mecum $41000 at the hammer

[Bentwheelbob]

Yep, sold or offered for $32K - $34K about six months ago. On the market a long time. Both fenders are wrong. I have the PHS somewhere.

Seller should be happy.

[Brewster]

Why what did it sell for?

[Norwood]

Originally Posted by RamAir

https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail/PJ0...ula/Automatic/

Just sold Portland Mecum $41000 at the hammer

. ...

[The Boss]

Silver HO car painted black & delivered to Pontiac HQ is indeed in a Michigan collection.

Crusty is a term that is better defined by your geographic location. Crusty for Texas could be near rust free in the north.

No doubt it needs some work but far less than some of the other F-bodies that have been restored around here lately and with a much better back story to go with it.

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Silver HO car painted black & delivered to Pontiac HQ is indeed in a Michigan collection.

Crusty is a term that is better defined by your geographic location. Crusty for Texas could be near rust free in the north.

No doubt it needs some work but far less than some of the other F-bodies that have been restored around here lately and with a much better back story to go with it.

Well said, Chris. As usual, I should've kept my "mouth shut".