[The Boss]

This will work nicely.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=700072

[Steve Hoog]

Yes, but that will be one of the last things we do on a shoe string budget.

[Rob B]

One thing you need to check is the drag/centerlink. On a 73-74 Ventura, the centerlink is not a hard part and I bet its probably shot. Meaning it has a knuckle in it unlike any other Nova or Firebird/camaro from previous years that is just a straight bar. Stupid design. You CANNOT get a replacement link. Tie rods (inner and outer) are about 4 times the cost of regular ones also for the 73-74.
The easiest fix is to buy everything new from tie rod to tie rod and convert it to a 68-72 Nova, Ventura, Firebird and Camaro front steering suspension. This will cost about the same as one outer tie rod end. If you have any other questions, just ask.
And the front end is a 74, and yes those are sprint stripes and with that option, I believe you also got the "custom" emblems on the door panels.

[Steve Hoog]

Rob, thank you sir I will take a closer look. I did notice the most odd bend in the inner tie rods; that really stood out. The VIN says it is a regular and not Custom; so I'm guessing they are not the original door panels, yet the stripes very obvious original. The parts book list them as Cream and Orange and N.S. I don't know if you can have a Sprint without Custom; but as we all know on earlier years you could get stripes without the Judge option, so maybe it was something like that. I will pull the tank looking for a build sheet.

[Rob B]

unfortunately, I bet it will be shot, stick a prybar in the knuckle and see what happens. Those links haven't been available in almost 30 years. I'm building another 74 for the wifey right now and just did the conversion. You can either find a 67-69 firebird/camaro or 68-72 Nova draglink used or now they are even available aftermarket. I think I paid around $90 for mine. Roughly cost $10 each for sleeves, inner and outers were about $11 a piece, idler arm can be had around $40 and pitman arm around $75 but you have to shop around online to find the best prices. Also switched to a manual steering box.

[Steve Hoog]

It seems to be a semi low milage car, so hoping for the best and will advise.

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by steved400

It seems to be a semi low milage car, so hoping for the best and will advise.

Good luck! Check tie rods also. if any of them are loose, consider converting. heaper in the short and long term.

[importsmasher]

Sweet car! Looks to be a 74 Ventura Sprint. I have a set of frame brackets for the Pontiac engine if you are still looking....
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=662272

Importsmasher

[Held for Ransom]

Steve, the VIN is a 2Y, not a 2Z? I thought the side Pontiac emblems indicated custom.

I should have a repairable set of frame mounts (I think). Plus a 3.08:1, non-posi rear. Also have Moser street axles for same.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by steved400

Bench, regular wheel, and right mirror holes in door covered over with puddy. Regular on Left. Cut pile carpet.

Maybe someone put a Sprint passenger door on it?

[Steve Hoog]

Greg, doubtful. The stripes are on both fenders and doors; but you should all know we can never tell what the assembly line guys would do when it was build time.

Code JB rear, 3.08 pegger.

This is all for fun, I just like poking around a bit when you have some clues.

Ransom, it's a Y car.

My local buddy Bill Rose has the mounts but thank you for the offer.

All front suspension is amazingly tight.

Here is the page I made for the car.

http://www.428gto.com/1974ventura/1974ventura.htm

[74gto]

Now that I can see the front end straight on, that is a 74 front end. See how the grills have the honeycomb pattern I was talking about, and not the eggcrate design? Like I said before, it will be a steel nose in 74, fiberglass in 73 (with big grills, not split grills) Is that Honduras Maroon?? Sure looks like it. Nice start. Good luck with your project. Had a blue Sprint with black stripes and white interior. Parted out that one and a maroon one back in the day. The blue one was hit in the rear hard. Crunched all the way up to the sail pannel.

[Steve Hoog]

I had always wanted and X body myself but the right deal never fell in my lap.

Here is a good shot of the firewall sporting the factory 74 Moroon paint.

[Rob B]

Be careful around that vette! Engine stand is awfully close!

[Steve Hoog]

Just makes for a koozy work enviroment

[Steve Hoog]

Not much visible progress but I thought that I would share what can be seen.

[Steve Hoog]

Block and crank are ready to pick up from the machine shop, bearings and cam on the way, I really need a M40 crossmember (we use to have those through GM but discontinued now), and some Long Branch manifolds will be the next bottle neck.

[Steve Hoog]

Head opinions: I am using a low mileage 326 for this but it's the 9.2 comp 250HP version with the 140 heads. My question, should I mill the heads about .040 to lower the CC to near the 52CC 141 heads?

1967 140 326 2bbl D-PORT 1.92 1.64 62 CC
1967 141 326 4bbl D-PORT 1.92 1.64 52 CC

[Steve Hoog]

Block and crank up...

[Steve Hoog]

Progress....