[unruhjonny]

here's today's update, I have some points with "?" which require collaboration from you all to help me explain this further;

Sheetmetal/panels:
A1) Quarter panels; the formed recess in the door jambs below the door striker changed after 1970
A2) Trunk extensions; with two drain plugs as opposed to one for 71-73
A3) Radiator core support; subtle differences in the openings & forming
A4) For cars with the California EES (Evaporative Emissions System), all components are one-year only, this includes the stack that protrudes through the floor behind the passenger seat.
A5) Hood hinges; have one-year welded support tab & paint stripe
A6) Rear tail (filler) panel; very early cars could have a pot metal part (instead of fiberglass)
A7) trunk floor pan; has 4 drain plugs; very early part only
A8) front inner wheel well - bottom forward metal filler panel; 1970 used 4 mounting bolts - 71+ used 2 bolts
A9) 1970-only rubber drain tube used on bottom of a/c box
A10) 1970-only trunk lock bracket
A11) 1970-only front bumper; 'squared' notches out of endura cover at bottom of bumper
A12) 1970-only side glass; 7 holes; extra rear stop added for 1971
A13) early 1970-only 'A-pillar bump out' for two, then one door switch
A14) early (pre-may) 1970-only rear license plate cover; retaining bolt head covered when cover in up position
A15) subframe; the most noteable difference is the welded reinforcement at the front “nose”; welding looks crude; there will be a date code stamped on to the drivers side rear vertical surface of the rail.

Exterior/trim:
B1) vertical windshield trim had screw holes at the bottom & one year corresponding black plastic water deflectors
B2) stainless roof drip edge moldings (difference?)
B3) stainless door edge guards; screw in type as opposed to press on type
B4) rear trunk lid "400" emblem (#9808505); very early part only; none documented as being installed on production cars
B5) Front fender "Firebird" script emblem(#481544)
B6) Front fender "Formula 400" script emblem; the 1970 part is wholly unique as the mounting stud locations changed for the same appearing emblem in 1971; part #480842
B7) headlight surround trim; single small recess for screws??
B8) stainless side window weatherstrip channel
B9) side window blow out clips; design slightly different from latter ones
B10) early "grey" dot/fade white stripes for blue cars; very early part, created unwanted 'greying effect' quickly superseded with conventional 71-72 stripes
B11) Front marker light surrounds, molded in body coloured; painted to match post-1970
B12) 1970-only Trans Am front/center spoiler used three center mount recessed holes
B13) 1970-only metal bracket & plastic cover for the inside door release mechanism
B14) 1970-only Formula w/RAIII “RAM AIR” hood decal; same style as used for 1969 model year GTO’s and Firebird 400’s, mounted on the hood scoop several inches rearward from the 1971-1974 location (the 1971-1974 decal used different style and sized script).

Interior:
C1) Front seats; low back buckets with separate headrests
C2) Front seat back power locks; optional
C3) front seat tracks; side release; black knob for std interior; chrome knob for deluxe
C4) metal carpet clips for covering front seat track bolts
C5) seat belts:
a) console mounted seat belt (female) holders
b) roof mounted shoulder belt (male) clips
c) retractable floor mounted (male) front lap belts
d) 1970-only shaped front seat belt washers
C6) rear defog (fan type); unique to 1970 long thin cutout on rear package tray along with unique plastic molded vent cover
C7) simulated wood shift knob for automatic; very early part only; this part is not interchangeable to shifters which were not assembled with it – the shifter arm is manufactured different.
C8) simulated leather shifter knob (#?) with red insert for four speed cars (with four speed shift pattern); very early part only; suspected as being installed only in cars with deluxe interior.
C9) simulated leather shifter knob (#?) with red insert for three speed cars (with no shift pattern); very early part only; suspected as being installed only in cars with deluxe interior.
C10) base/Esprit/Formula dash insert; has separate "wash" & "lights" word openings; to the untrained eye these dash inserts appear to be 1970-1972, but the wood grain pattern changed every year; Rocky Rotella has only documented the pattern used for 1972, but my observation is this:
1970 = light 'milk chocolate' brown
1971 = almost a bleached birchwood look
1972 = a much deeper shade of brown from the two prior years. (I will try to take/share pictures)
C11) Power trunk release button; blue
C12) Glove box door; uses 4 rivets instead of six & has different pattern stamped in the steel (two square recesses) with no long vertical recess to accommodate suggested maintenance schedule decal;
C13) dash wiring harness; front/floor convenience lamps always present – lamps were not wired in starting in 1971.
C14) sun visors with center retaining tabs
C15) rear armrests have no ashtrays; these were added after 1970
C16) Clock knob; black two piece design; 1971 & later used a chrome knob with a matching chrome centre lock screw.
C17) Drivers side rear harness guard at drivers floor pan; this is the part that goes along the inside of the rocker panel, and appears to be made of galvanized steel – it attaches to the floor/rocker, and is covered by the carpet and rocker trim; guard much longer; goes all the way to firewall
C18) ebrake cover for cable where it comes out of floor has corresponding one-year toe pad cover formed to accommodate ebrake cable cover.
C19) vacuum actuated heater switch (??)

Underhood/engine/drivetrain:
D1) full ratcheting hood latch
D2) Washer bottle cap (difference?)
D3) Chrome dress-up on Formula and Trans Am; chrome valve covers and oil filler cap; chrome air cleaner lid (Formula only) & metal spark plug wire retainers; this is a one year feature for the second gen Firebird, but it is shared with 1967-1969 Firebird 400’s
D4) brackets for alternator, power steering, & air conditioning
D5) Alternator; “open face” internally regulated design
D6) 12 bolt rear differential for Formula 400, Trans Am, & Esprit with optional L65-400 engine.
D7) Formula air cleaner for L78 (base engine) is unique to 1970/Norwood cars; has no hole for fuel bowl vent tube; Some very late 1970 model year Norwood cars used an air cleaner base (shared with Van Nuys cars, and 71-72 cars) with a hole for the fuel bowl vent tube (those were plugged like L74 aircleaners); used one-year aircleaner decal #648898 “RM” (not reproduced)
D8) 'Ram Air' Formula air cleaners are one year only (spot welded locating studs and dimples to accommodate a holley 4bbl carburetor); single functional heat stove.
D9) Trans Am air cleaner base; many received single snorkel air cleaner bottom for 1970 Trans Am's; 1971 & 1972, as well as some 1970’s received dual snorkel air cleaner bases; 71-72 used a dual heat riser setup – while 1970 was only a single functional heat riser.
D10) round vacuum canister on Formula’s w/L78 (base engine); bolts to firewall with two threaded bolts; all these cars also used a dual vacuum feed choke pull off on the Quadrajet.
D11) Front rad support to bumper plastic filler panel; very early part only; suspected as originally intended for automatic/AC cars only
D12) power steering pump & hoses; older style pump; the pump style change for 1971; both high & low pressure power steering hoses w/red stripe are unique parts matched to this power steering pump
D13) 1970-only oversize (long) yolk on driveshaft
D14) Gas caps are one year only (both regular and EEC)
D15) Front inner fender 'dust' flaps, rear quarter panel inner 'mud' flaps, and front rad support seals
D16) 1970-only Trans Am 'extra' ground strap inside of scoop
D17) 1970-only stamped script on 3/4" heater hose; branded 1971+
D18) 1970-only Quadrajet throttle arm bracket (similar to 1971 unit; but differs from in that it uses a stud/clip instead of a ball/clip design)
D29) A/C 'soft' line from condenser to dryer; 1970-only part was soft/hard - latter was all hard line
D20) one year water pump (casting number 9799124)
D21) Pullies; water pump & power steering pump
D22) RAIII exhaust manifolds; one year casting numbers (see below)

1970 & 1971-only parts:
E1) Exhaust extensions; 22 degree cut instead of the 71-73 & 74-75 (?)45 degree cut
E2) Formula hoods don't have metal bracing on sides
E3) Oversized 'black ball' shifter knob with shift pattern; for both three speed (#?) and four speed cars (#?); used for 1970 and early 1971 cars.
E4) Front bumper; 1970 & 1971 Esprit & Formula have holes to mount the emblem
E5) Front bumper emblem (#?); standard on Esprit & Formula; 1970-1971 part; reproduction now available, but the "island" infront of the birds beak has been eliminated
E6) Trans Am dash insert; has separate "wash" & "lights" word openings; the insert was 1970-1972, but only 1970 and some 1971 cars received chrome gauge surround rings
E7) 'Heavy duty' Muncie 330 sourced three speed manual transmission; for 1970 std Formula & optional on Esprit w/L30; For 1971 ‘base’ transmission for Formula 400 & 455HO models, optional on Esprit & Formula L30 cars; offered for 1970 & 1971 only then dropped; transmission, shifter and all parts are specific; RPO code M13 for 1970 & 1971 Firebirds – will not show up on window sticker for 1970 Formula or 1971 Formula 400 or 1971 Formula 455HO.
E8) Manual transmission (3 & 4 speed) shifter arm w/o console; #7945; used only for 1970 & 1971 (all others 1970-1978 used #7244)
E9) Door panels; full height cardboard backed panel with vinyl wrapped arm rest; some early cars with power windows did not have the window crank opening cut (or the emblem installed)
E10) Glove box tire pressure label; the ‘KN’ tire pressure label used for F78-14/F70-14, & F60-15 cars was unique to 1970, and some early 1971 model year cars; the decal was changed in 1971; the most noteable difference was the removal of “Firebird” at the top/centre, which was replaced with “482399 REV. 1”



Honorable mention:
F1) 1971 Front fender "Formula 400" script emblem; nearly identical to one-year 1970 part except that the 1971 part has the mounting stud locations changed from the 1970 badge (#483625)
F2) 1971 Front fender "Formula 350" script emblem; one year part cast as 1970-style “Formula 400” badge.
F3) 1971 Front fender "Formula 455" script emblem; one year part cast as 1970-style “Formula 400” badge.
F4) Front plastic valence; This was used on pre-production, and some very early model year cars; Listed in 1970 Firebird supplement, and master parts catalog; became regular production item for 1972 & 1973 model year Firebirds (but the service replacement was the steel setup).
F5) The rear spoiler was NOT an option for 1970; standard on Trans Am, not available on others.
F6) Some 1970 & 1971 base model Firebirds received the incorrect hard plastic Camaro arm rest rather than the soft vinyl covered Firebird part.
F7) rear seat back frame and seat bottoms are 1970-1973; metal spring construction with cotton and burlap construction for 70-73 - went to foam padded design for 1974
F8) Early second gen cars used yellow throttle return springs
F9) early cars use larger (read: longer) exterior door handles
F10) heater control lens on non-AC cars; 1970 reads “DE-ICE”, changed in 1972 to read “DEFROST”
F11) speedometers and gauge clusters are unique for 1970 through to early 1972 model year cars;
They have a single small horizontal blue bright lamp indicator at the top, and a single red horizontal parking brake indicator at the bottom; the brake indicator has white stenciled “BRAKE” lettering so it can be seen when not illuminated; the bright indicator is near invisible when not illuminated.
F12) Combination oil pressure & water temperature gauge for ‘Rally Gauge’ opted cars; center water temperature reading is 210 degrees for 1970 through to 1973, while latter (and service replacement) gauges read 220 degrees.
F13) Wiper switch; chrome edged button with “WASH” script in white on black background used for 1970 through to 1972; changed to “PUSH” for 1973.
F14) swaybars; it appears as though most 1970 model year Trans Am’s left the factory with the Formula specified sway bars installed; this may have been a supplier issue as the Trans Am was initially slated to have the same suspension as the Formula, but was changed just before the long lead press review; the supply problem seems to have been resolved before the end of the 1970 model year as late cars had the right parts, and there are no documented 1971 model year Trans Am’s with the “wrong” bars.
F15) Base/Esprit/Formula dash insert; other than what was mentioned in point #C10, these dahs inserts are actually made from a different press-formed piece with different indentations, and they all use unique gauge surrounds (rings) than 1973+ dash inserts.

-------
1970 only paint/interior colours
exterior #10 'Polar white' ('69 & '71-'81 are #11 'Cameo white')
exterior #25 'Bermuda blue'
exterior #28 'Attol blue'
exterior #45 'Palisade green'
exterior #47 'Verdoro green'
exterior #51 'Goldenrod yellow'
exterior #58 'Granada gold'
exterior #63 'Palomino copper'
exterior #65 'Carousel red'
interior #201/211 'bright (metallic) blue vs darker non-metallic blue used 1971+
interior #214 red vs toned down 'Sienna' used for 1971


Wheels
14x6" plain steel (std on base & Esprit) = ‘AM’ 1970-1972
14x6" Rally II (optional on base & Esprit) = ‘JO’
14x7" plain steel (std on Formula) = ‘CL’ 1970 - 1972
14x7" Rally II (optional on Formula) = ‘JS’ 1970; ‘KS’ 1971-1975
15x7" Rally II (optional on Formula; standard on Trans Am) = JW (1970 & early 1971)

400/4bbl info/codes
- Final year of high compression; essentially a carryover from late 1969 mechanicals, with only casting number revisions.
- All engines used 1969 style thermostat housings with 1970-only upper rad hoses.

Alternator:
#1100902 = w/o AC or rear window defogger
#1100903 = w/ AC or rear window defogger
#11100904 = w/ AC and rear window defogger

Starter:
#1108434 = 350
#1108435 = 400 w/o RA
#1108436 = 400 w/RA
http://www.wallaceracing.com/starter-numbers.htm

Exhaust manifolds:
L78 = 9796992(rh) / 9782810 or 480602 (lh)
L74 = 9799720 (rh) / 478140 (lh)
L67 = 9799721 (rh) / 478141 (lh)

Intake manifolds:
L78/L74 = 9799068
L67 = 9799084

Engine/transmission = block stamped code / cylinder head casting number / block casting number
L78/auto = YS / 13 / 9799914
L78/manual = WT / 12 / 9799914
L74/auto = YZ / 12 / 9799914**
L74/manaul = WS / 12 / 9799914**
L67/auto = XP / 614 / 9799915*
L67/manual = WW / 614 / 9799915*
* = these started out as '914 blocks, the end of the casting number was ground off, and re-stamped.
** = it is believed that although the '915 block was intended for RAIV engines, there are documented cases of RAIII engines being built with '915 blocks

Carburetors:
L78/auto = 7040264; c/w 2 port metal vacuum break
L78/manual = 7040263; c/w 2 port metal vacuum break
L74 & L67/auto = 7040270; c/w yellow/black plastic vacuum break
L74 & L67/manual = 7040273; c/w yellow/black plastic vacuum break
California L78/auto = 7040564; c/w 2 port metal vacuum break
California L78/manual = 7040563; c/w 2 port metal vacuum break
California L74 & L67/auto = 7040570; c/w yellow/black plastic vacuum break
California L74 & L67/manual = 7040573; c/w yellow/black plastic vacuum break

Distributors:
L78/auto = 111 1148
L78/manual = 111 1176
L74/auto = 111 2009
L74/manual = 111 2024
L67/auto & manual = 111 2013

[roundportponchos]

Very helpful...on 70 bitds

[unruhjonny]

It just occurred to me to add this - please tell me if my info is incorrect:

F16) the dash pads for 1970 through 1972 Firebirds are a slightly different grain & texture than the 1973-1977 dash pads.

[unruhjonny]

I'm looking at updating the exhaustive post, and want ot touch on this one;

Can anyone confirm when the door lock knobs changed?
I always understood that the correct ones for 1970 F-bodies were a fatter ribbed knob, while by 1973 the skinnier smooth style (used into the 1980's)

1970:


197?(+):


Does anyone know if the lock knobs change for 1971??

(Adding attachments for another post)

[FASTASSBIRD]

My glove box has 4 rivets and I have a couple extra 4 rivet versions


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[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by FASTASSBIRD

My glove box has 4 rivets and I have a couple extra 4 rivet versions


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oh?

I might have goobered up my (black non-AC) door cover, I'm all ears...

I attached those images because of a new compiled post I am composing - I am trying to add links to pictures of as many items as feasable - I just want the links to be here on the forum, instead of elsewhere... like photobucket.

[Trevor78]

This just came up while going through information on another page. I haven't looked up my parts manuals yet as about to head out the door to work but others may already know.

1970 chrome base model door mirrors on Camaro (shhh) were 9816862 for RH and 9816863 for LH. Firebirds with the same mirrors were 9814444 for LH and 9814443 for RH, due to the different offset locating lugs and possibly tapered base to suit the different door tops, just like the sports mirrors did. Note also that the odd and even numbers didn't match for typical LH or RH sides. Within a year or two, 2 gaskets had been deleted and just the 9816863 (with LH cast onto it) and the 9814443 (with RH cast onto it). I'm not sure if the taper was removed and these mirrors now mounted flat as head was adjustable. Another mention of these on another group claimed they had both the different Camaro gaskets in their hand, identical in every way other than the part number and LH and RH on them, the revised details were that it would now fit both sides.

That raises another question, does anyone know if the sports mirror gaskets for 1970-up were still 9832126 for Camaro and 9832127 for Firebird? Perhaps they had their own early part number. But mainly wanted to know if the original pattern and spacing of the 4 door mirror holes (2 screws and 2 locating lug options over 3 variations) was the same between 1970 and 1981 models. The Camaro RH inner door plate for mirror option changed shape between early years and later years, I haven't seen the same with Firebird, just the standard 1748701. Again, I don't know if this was due to a gasket and pin spacing change or not or just a revised compact version for each of the models with spacing to suit each.

Or...to sum it up very quickly, did 1970 also use the same 9832127 gaskets for Firebird with same part number and do they still fit perfectly on original doors with the spacing, no changes?

[Formulabruce]

The base plastic "gasket" is tapered and unique per side .

[Trevor78]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

The base plastic "gasket" is tapered and unique per side .

Are you referring to the base chrome mirror gaskets that are tapered?

[FASTASSBIRD]

I may have spoke to soon, I remember reading about the rivets back when they were talked about and going out to make sure mine was correct and finding out it was. Another one not mentioned is the guest shifter handle is actually one year only. One has an inch of threads while the other has 3/4 of an inch. I’ll see if I can dig mine up for comparison


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[unruhjonny]

I have a working update that will include pictures;
I have a date correct on still with (it came with my car when I got it in 1995) my car, I also have a '77 & '75 fan that I can compare mine against to see if I observe what 'Green Hornet' mentioned, but off the top of my head I don't recall any significant difference.

['ol Pinion head]

Yes, later dated parts book often combine usage of certain parts. It's nice to have many original dated master parts books dated close to one's car builds, but that will occasionally not tell the whole story.

In the '67-69 Pontiac range (exc late '69 Firebird), the usage of a 480033 fan would be incorrect for original replacement or anywhere near a Concours restoration. On a '70 Formula or T/A, or any '71 or 72 for that matter, the date of mfg would need to predate by a few months. On '71's, I would exoect an even wider date gap.

After the 480033's usage, it will make no sense, numerically, but the 9790515 five blade flex fan was used. Have several off '73's & 74's. & over the years have provided several more to 455 SD restorers.

[unruhjonny]

I'm giving this a bump because I just realize another 1970-only part;

The drivers side (remote) mirrors!?

I have three 1970 model year drivers side mirrors, and they are unique from the 1971 drivers mirrors that I have in that...
I cannot remove the mirror from the assembly!!

I am not sure how I missed this in the past, but 1971+ drivers side mirrors have a round hole for removing the housing's mount/pedestal, then you can feed the cable through the housing;
but the 1970 mount/pedestal has a small oval opening - they must have been assembled before getting to the production line!?

I am quite curious about how, or at what stage they were painted.

I was looking at the passenger side housings too, and I think that the 1970 housings have different imprints...

[Formulabruce]

Better break out the pics, I have a few 1970 mirrors apart

[unruhjonny]

here are the notes I took before putting stuff back away:

dates observed that appear to not be removable from mirror housing:
12-DMI-9
2-DMI-0 (x2)

dates where mirror removable from housing:
3-DMI-1
6-DMI-1

One of the things I was chasing down for quite some time are early dated mirrors;.

As a side note, the drivers side door that was on my car when I got it (1995) was originally from a white car;
While looking at the mirrors yesterday, I realized that the drivers side mirror was also originally white, so that means this mirror was swapped over with the door onto my car (before 1985);
This “white” mirror is dated 12-DMI-9 - which means the mirror was manufactured in December 1969.
Come to think of it, the suggested build date of the YZ engine would align with this mirror - I’d bet the door and engine are from the same donor car!

[Ramairnacho]

This is interesting where are these date codes found and once installed is it noticeable if not 70? You guys always teaching me.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Ramairnacho

This is interesting where are these date codes found and once installed is it noticeable if not 70? You guys always teaching me.

honestly, most people won't notice this, unless you have convex mirrors on the car - the etching is quite small.
I chose to try to accomplish this just because I could.
I'd like my car as correct as possible... and typically little parts like this are not going to have asking prices in the stratosphere.

... Then again, no one is going to notice a starter number and we all know where you went with that rabbit hole

lol

Honestly though, I'd prefer a february 1970 dated passenger mirror - because these December mirrors are probably best installed on a January or Ferurary build date car - but, I'm going to consider this detail done for now.
(if my memory serves me it has been suggested that the engine I bought my car with came from a car that was built the first week of February)

[Ramairnacho]

I looked and found no marks on my mirrors. No date codes. The mirrors been on my car since I was 8. My original steering wheel also has no big ic engraving but has mold hole in correct spot it's being restored. Then my drivers hood hinge is correct style and is blank. This is interesting stuff. Are we keeping all this date code stuff in order to resell our cars? I just learned this stuff and original is cool I guess. I been chasing dates for 2 years and not planning on selling lol.

[unruhjonny]

the codes are etched on the the glass - it's quite small, and although easy enough to spot with the eye, it's really tough to capture with a camera.

the code will read as:
XX-DMI-Y

• XX is the month written as either one, or two numbers
• It has been suggested that DMI stands for Donnelly Mirror, Inc (the mirror manufacturer).
• Y is the last digit of the calendar year

EG:
8-DMI-2
Would decode as August, 1972.

I believe that for the 1980 model year (or there abouts) the mirror was changed to a convex mirror, and the words "OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR" was added - so in essence, there is no chance of the date code for a 1980 calender mirror being mixed up with a 1970 mirror (keep in mind the very earliest 1970 parts were manufactured in December 1969).

Here is a 1971-1981 drivers side mirror housing with the larger opening with which to feed the remote mirror cables through:



Here is my December 1969 mirror assembly:



And just because, here is my small selection of door mirrors that I acquired while trying to get a nice pair for my car:



/\/\ Notice that I have two 1971 drivers remote mirrors "loose" from their housings.

And if anyone cares, my search ended when I acquired an NOS passenger side mirror kit - complete with a December 1969 dated mirror - complete in the old gold & red Delco box!
Unless I am mistaken, I believe the gentleman who is selling off Steve Ames' NOS parts is the guy I bought it from.

[unruhjonny]

if there is indeed no dates, then the glass is replacement;
All original door mirrors have dates.
You can buy replacement glass at any glass shop.