[fbirdinconcord]

We are finally getting around to getting the 73 Formula on the road. We have been working on the engine as we have time and it is almost there. If you remember this is the original paint 4 speed car I bought with no shortblock. I happened to have a 455 from another Firebird in the shop that we decided to use. Our goal is to make it look as close to a stock 73 400 as possible.

The block is a 72 yc 455. The heads are 1977 6X with 1.65 roller rockers. The intake and carb are the ones that came with the car as well as the air cleaner. I had the Ram air manifolds on a shelf upstairs. We kept the complete 73 smog system intact. We are using stock painted valve covers that will apparently need spacers. The chrome set are just for mockup.

All of the bolts on the engine came off of the 62k mile 73 350 car that we are cutting up. That engine had every nut, bolt and clip we needed. As well as just being great reference for wire and hose routing and colors, etc.

The engine is the slate blue. It is darker and uglier than it looks in the pics.

The fender was off to replace the heater core so we decided to just leave it off until the engine is done.

I think tomorrow we will have the engine in the bay. I will post more pics.

[72BIGBLOCK]

did you buy this car from a member named f40 bird?? i think its blue bird? i saw pics of the car before resto and it was a great car to start with

[fbirdinconcord]

No, I bought this car from a local backyard. The story and pics of the find are in the thread below. It is on the second page.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=530538

[briann]

Hey Rich (fbirdinconcord)...fired it up and drove the bird today! Had a problem for an hour with fuel pressure flooding carb off and on but got it figured out it was crap in the needle and seat and flicking fuel pump off and on a few times finally flushed it through and out.

Went for a test drive and hit first and second 3/4 throttle and son said we were hardly moving and looked in the rear view mirror and saw nice long marks as to why we weren't really moving much even with drag radials at 15 psi..LOL

[fbirdinconcord]

Hi Brian
Sounds fun. Bring it out to Baja Fresh on Friday. I thought I would have this Formula ready but I think I have to take a load of furniture to my cabin on Thursday which kills a whole day. I think we are going to try and get the engine in tomorrow, if your around stop by.

I am starting to get that Firebird gathering together. I am shooting for about 6 weeks from now. I already have 4 Super Duty cars confirmed. I can't believe all of the high end Firebirds that are within 20 miles of us. 1 guy has 3 mint Super Dutys: 1 73 T/A and 2 74 T/As. Should be fun.

[72BIGBLOCK]

i was just wondering. yellowf sold one similar for 3500 and it was clean, i missed out on it.
your motor looks great. keep us posted

[fbirdinconcord]

72BIGBLOCK

Do you have pics of the car he sold or know where I can get them?

Thanks

[briann]

I might make Baja F this Friday. I need to go get some race gas though as its pinging on the crap 91 pump stuff and do a quick carb tune up. Most guys dont drive their SD's around here but keep em in warehouses/covered as you have found out and it will be nice to see some of them actually come to your get together. Not sure if I will make your gtg though as wife and I will be in Switzerland for a month or more having fun in June.