[unruhjonny]

cool!

Thanks for sharing that letter and pictures!

[OVERULD]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Looking great there BJ - you're going to have a lot of fun with that car!

What's the story with the headlights?

Thanks Chris. One of the previous owners changed them to halogen bulbs. I haven't driven the car at night but assume that they are much brighter than the old T3 bulbs. Did the 74 cars still use the T3s?

Originally Posted by blue71ta

Here's a pic from an ebay auction to show the difference (74-75 tip on top, 71-73 on the bottom):

Thanks - we did discuss the difference, but I'll measure them and confirm that they are correct.

BJ

[77 Canamman]

1974 used Guide Power Beams, such as these:

[74 SD455 Formula]

T3 head lights were last used in 1972.

[The Boss]

Guides - those halogen units can easily push it towards the pro touring look.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by 74 SD455 Formula

T3 head lights were last used in 1972.

That may be, but 'Power Beams' are what second gen cars used.

[OVERULD]

Originally Posted by blue71ta

It looks like Gardner MAY have sent you the '71-'73 chrome tips. I would double check before installing them. The '74 / '75 tips are longer. If they are the earlier tips, they will be too short (just trying to help, not being critical).

Originally Posted by blue71ta

Here's a pic from an ebay auction to show the difference (74-75 tip on top, 71-73 on the bottom):

Thanks for the "tips" guys. I just measured the tips that came in the Gardner system and I get 14" from the end of the top of the pipe back to the apex of the bend. How does that compare to the ones you posted?

BJ

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by OVERULD

Bob:
Thanks for showing the differences n the body side moldings. The type you showed on your Y88 are identical to the ones on my W66. The reason we didn't want to remove them was the very same reason you mentioned. Think I'll leave mine on for now, but would love to find the adhesive ones like yours in Fire Coral Bronze.

BJ

I found this today.



BSM not avaialble from PMD with D98 stripes. Dealer installed only.

[OVERULD]

Nice Find! Thanks.

BJ

[njsteve]

Interesting find. That explains the problem with my 73 SD455 Formula. The original owner ordered both the stripes and the side moldings on his order form. Due to the conflict, both selections were deleted from the car further up the paperwork chain when it was submitted.

[blue71ta]

Originally Posted by OVERULD

Thanks for the "tips" guys. I just measured the tips that came in the Gardner system and I get 14" from the end of the top of the pipe back to the apex of the bend. How does that compare to the ones you posted?

BJ

Can you post a pic of the measurement you're describing? Just so we're on the same page. I have some '71-'73 tips here I can measure & compare.

[Held for Ransom]

Here was a picture I snapped of the '74 a while back.

[OVERULD]

Here is a pic I took while it was still in wrapper - may be off by a half inch or so.



Eric Gardner assured me that I have the right length, that he knows there are two lengths and that I have the right one. I'm having to go on his assurance here. Looking at my photo, it may actually be closer to 15"

BJ

[OVERULD]

Exhaust manifolds arrived today from Central Connecticut Coatings.











I'm told by Eric that there is no gasket needed between the down pipe and the manifold - just metal-to-metal. His down pipes came with a nice ceramic-coated flange - two-bolt on left and three-bolt on right.

Getting installed this Friday.

BJ

[Held for Ransom]

Tips look like the correct length.

Are those Max Performance manifolds???
Are those lines on the end flanges from where they hung to coat?

[OVERULD]

Thanks Mike. I bought them from Ames. Which lines are you referring to?

BJ

[The Boss]

Those manifold look great - what is the coating?

[OVERULD]

Chris, it is a ceramic coating in cast gray color. I bought them from Ames and had them drop-shipped to Central Connecticut Coatings in East Hartford, CT. They applied the coating and then shipped them on to me. Eric Gardner referred me to them.

BJ

[OVERULD]

The car is in the driveline and suspension shop that is doing the new ring and pinion gear swap. Hope to have it back tomorrow afternoon, then it is off to another private shop behind a retired automotive service veteran's home to have the exhaust installed. Then next week, MPR gets it back to do the finishing details like the D98 stripe installation, new clips on the door panels after we touch up the seat belt rash, and a few clean-up/touch-up items in the engine bay. If all this works out, I hope to have the car in my shop this Saturday so I can tackle the tach swap out - we'll see if all the timing works out - may have to push that work out to after the BOP show. Next weekend I'm taking the 'Vette up to Bowling Green for the National Corvette Museum's annual Birthday Bash. I'm in charge of the Corvette Forum dinner at Montana Grille. Looking forward to seeing some of my other Forum buds.

BJ

[74 SD455 Formula]

Here's a couple of pic's of my Original paint 74 Formula. Hope it helps.