The story of this old bird getting brought back to life and then having a happy rip through the snow was better than anything Hollywood has made in the last ten years.
I don't have anything against the venerable 350. I have installed, worked on them, re-built them, etc.,etc., but what that car needs is a HO 455 and you will have a screamer. In 1975 I had a 71 with a 455 in it and 4-speed. One time I was cruising at 60 mph in 4th gear and all I did was punch the car and it started smoking both rear tires as it shot up in speed over 100 mph in just seconds. It was absolutely the most powerful feeling car I ever had. I wish I would have been able to keep it, but youth and youthful ideas are most of the time done without much real deep thought about what you are doing. It mostly was about what you wanted at the time. I miss that car a lot.
Hey Mr. Digs. Just wanted to let you know your vids really help me feel better. Mom had to go the the hospital for the 3rd time this month today, and these videos really take my mind off of it. Thank you brother. Edit** it's been a week, and momma is still in the hospital. I graduate on Friday, and she's been there for every single first day and last. She won't get to make it to the one thing she's been fighting with me for. 12 years of agony and long nights, and she isn't gonna be there guys. I'm really discouraged, and don't really know if I want to graduate anymore.
Do me a big favor, Hug your mom really tight and tell her you love her. My mom passed away on March 31st. Three days before her 53rd birthday. I took her to the hospital on a Friday and by Sunday she passed away due to a widespread infection throughout her body.
5 років тому+19
It's never easy, my mom was in and out after her first and second heart bypasses. She's okay now and still driving a stick at 72 so be positive and I hope your mom gets better and comes home soon!!! Keep your chin up.
DragonBrownies I am so sorry to hear that brother. I definitely will. Today is Mother's Day and she's still in ICU so I went and cleaned the house from top to bottom. Maybe when she gets home she will notice
American Muscle will live forever ! People these videos are therapeutic to me, I absolutely love it to watch when a classic car gets salvaged and brought back to live, and is eventually restored to its full glory. Especially if it is American Muscle, luxury coupes land yachts, or even older vehicles from the very early ages of the brass era automotive era. I salute you guys and all the fines folks that do the likes of it.
I know this is a month or two late but I personally share a love for these cars as well. I think this ole gal needs a full resto and I think you should document it on your UA-cam channel as you go along. That’s a series I would def watch start to finish. I’m binge watching the Satellite vids now on both channels. Amazing y’all. Absolutely amazing.
I am 57 don’t have money or time to do that kind of stuff anymore.But getting to watch you guys and the other ones is the next best thing.But I am getting to slowly rebuild my 1997 bmw convertible which is fun
Take your time with this one. Stabilize the body, work on the chassis, electrical and interior as time and money allow. But budget for a Pontiac 455 when you find one! Man, she'll be a keeper!
Nice Bird, dude. I just picked up a '73 Amx Javelin, around the same condition as your bird. Got it running the other day, the 360 ran smooth and the 4 speed works. Love doing this stuff.
One of my wife's car as a teen. I grew up with big block buddies and had a few of my own. What I learned is they create crap loads of carbon build up on everything exposed to combustion. A regular long cruise while adding top end cleaner every time you shut the hot engine off does wonders. Choke it out with the cleaner, have some lunch and do it over again until the valves shine. Then keep a crap load of fuel additive in the tank for a while. After that it's up to you on things. Gasoline these days really doesn't have a lot of umph, you can get creative on a cleaner burn. Cheers! great video and congrats on your dream car. You manifested it, Been there done that. No other feeling like having a dream car or cars....YAY!
Mine was a 1982 chevy c10 custom with a 350 small block from February 2003 to 2008 I was a kid but it was a grandad of mine that died from cancer and it was given to me...... I miss it to this day
I’ve been watching your videos for quite awhile so I don’t know how I missed this one. Wow do you look different without the beard! I’m probably older than most your fans but its awesome watching you work on these old junkers. You’ve got a lot of knowledge and you use it. That’s something you don’t see a lot of these days in young or old people. The first car I bought myself was a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Espre? Red with black bucket seats and a 3 speed on the floor. It had a 350 2bbl no power steering , had disc brakes. I bought the car for a graduation present to myself in 1975. Like I said I’m older.. I put dual glass pacs on the car Fenton racing wheels, and speed rated raiding tires and air shocks. I ran the crap out of that car, redline was5500 rpms . It would get rubber in all three gears! I never changed anything else .my girlfriend and I would go to our local McDonald’s on Friday and Saturday nights hang out and pickup racing my favorite was stop light to stop light. It’s wasn’t the fastest car in the group but it did pretty darn good. I kept that car for 2 years then did something stupid. I got married and traded my bird for more of a family car. I’ve missed that car since the day I traded it off and seeing you with that 73 I hope you fix it and keep it. Thank you for sharing your videos and your life. May God bless you in all you do..
Out of all the years of the Pontiac versions of these cars 73 74 was my favorite. They used to come in an orange color that was just loud but cool. I really hope you make this guy the road tool she should be! However it's gonna take a lot of work! Great stuff guys! Thank you!
Hey I got a 1976 classic van for sell its got a big block in it and it runs for sell you can call me 9107407927 my name is ricky and I stay in Lumberton nc
WOW, my first car! 1973 Firebird Formula 400 w/350 Turbo trans. Passed it on to my brother when I bought a new one and he outran the the local police a bunch of times before losing his license. He sold it after it sat a while, but it was still in great shape - just really drank gas. Mine had the same hood scoops - non-functioning because they not been knocked out. It could have been made functional, but never got around to it. Yours has seen better days.
The first video of yours that I saw was the F250 revival with Lucas, which I have watched probably a dozen times over. This is the channel for true gearheads. Really great videos and the editing is spot on. It makes these videos so much fun to watch and has me dreaming every time I see an abandoned ride in a field. Thanks for the great videos and lofty dreams! :D
I was taught to adjust Chevy valves by running the engine, loosen the rocker nut until you hear "clacking", tighten until it goes away and add 1/4 to a 1/2 turn. Always worked out great for me, but it does make a bit of a mess. CorvetteBen made some valve covers to use when doing this. He cut the top, center out of a pair of old covers and it really does a good job of reducing the oil splash.
This video is much better than the car shows that you see on TV. Instead of everything being a high stress time crunch it's just 2 guys that know what theyre doing but still make mistakes and laugh them off. Just doing what they love
He's definitely got his hands full with that one dam it's rough and rotten but anything can be done with money and determination and the money has to come before anything lol
If you were closer to me, I'd give you a PONTIAC 350 to put in that bird. That SBC belongs in a Camaro, NOT a Formula. I used to have a 73 Formula 400, it was my favorite car ever. Glad you are keeping the dream alive, tho!
Yeah, you got that right....get that Chev out..I would imagine some previous owner took out the bottom end in the 400 Pontiac (probably a rod bearing) and was too lazy to re-do it right.....that is, re-do the Pontiac mill. Pull the Chev and save the Chev for?? Good luck saving her....hope you carry on with it.
Well done! You lost all that footage but you recovered nicely. Great idea to take the time and explain the loss. It worked flawlessly. Be safe and thanks for sharing.
My first car was a then 6 year old 1970 Firebird 350 I bought with a three speed Saginaw and 68,000 miles on it for $1000. It was hands down my favorite car ever. Your video made me nostalgic for my old bird - Bad!
I had a 1973 Firebird Formula with a Pontiac 400. balanced and blueprinted, headers, Crower Cam, Muncie w/Hurst shifter 4 speed, Holley 4 barrel. It was a numbers matching car when I bought it but, it did have a 75 nose on it presumably for the better headlight setup. I like the original front end much better. Your front end looks to be in pretty good shape. One thing that you will want to add as you go along is sub frame connectors as the rear frame from the factory is uni-body and, a definite weak spot in it's construction. I had to get rid of mine back in 95 I think it was and, I have missed the car ever since. If your looking for body and or suspension parts - you might try Bethels Goat Farm if they are still in business. They carried a large number of hard to find Pontiac parts. I kook forward to seeing more of your build as you go along and, sincerely wish you the best of luck with it. They were a beautiful design and I wish there were more of them still around! Garrett Doyle
as someone who's first muscle car they saw was a firebird it has had a special place in my part and im so glad to see you restore one i'd love to see the end product.
My buddy has a 71 formula 400 that we are currently rebuilding the 400 and th350 trans. Theyre awesome cars. If anyone near pa has a dash we could sure use one. Lol
I owned and restored a 1975 Pontiac Formula 400 with a 4 speed & 3:43 rear, back in June 1982 and had some real fun with that car, (miss it). Drove that car until May 1989 and after joining the Army back in May 1989 and leaving it at my uncles home in Landsdale, PA the winter weather took it's toll on the body & frame. So I upgraded to a 1975 Pontiac Trans-am with a 400, 4 speed & 3:73 rear back in Oct 2001 and she was a project car for someone else and they lost interest on finishing this car but the engine was overhauled and run's great and I also plan on restoring the whole car either this summer or during this year, money provided? Married life with kids always takes a front seat to everything, like the saying goes "Happy Wife, Happy Life". Great video but rebuilding these cars are really more fun and a lot can be done to them so enjoy it while it last. (Restore is the way to go and a Formula is more desirable)!!!!
I know the feeling, I got my dream car which is a 69 dodge charger with a 440 in it. I found when I was a junior in high school. I'm 35 now and still working on it. But I love that car.
@@jeffmason103 and my 01 Passat is faster in every way. 235hp at 6000 and 230lb/ft at 3000 , red line of 7500rpm, 3400lb curb, better brakes, better geometry and its a 4 door family car. . classic cars are cool but the shit engines are horrible. Dont get me wrong, i love me some loppy V8 but there is no point. I Feed my V8 addiction with a 97 grand marquis with bolts ons, heads, cams, all the suspension goodies and a bit of N2o.. 460hp on pump gas (500HP on N2o) for the last 150k miles.
@@zuestoots5176 Well..uuuh..10 points for you, I guess. I doubt we'll be seeing people rescuing your Passat in 50 years and giving it a loving restoration. Or your Grand Marquis, either.
@@XBullitt16X I hear ya. The catch: it's all older stuff. I think we can all agree that older stuff is / was loads better than the stuff of today. Sad .... but true.
The proper way to adjust the valves on a SBC is by starting the engine and for each cylinder in turn, loosen the rocker arm until it clicks then slowly tighten the rocker until the clicking just stops and tighten the nut a further 3/4 turn. if you want a little more rpm before valve float only tighten the rocker nut a half turn. Repeat for each rocker. I learned this 45 years ago when I was apprenticing as a mechanic. I got a set of slash shields from the Snap-on guy to clip on the rockers to deflect the oil pumping out the push-rods so it doesn't spray everywhere while making the adjustments. Easy-peasy
Owned a '72 Esprit (same look minus the hood scoops) 350 with a 2 speed slushbox. Upgraded to a 350TBH with a shift kit and a B&M Quickclick shifter. New paint, wheels and tires. Most enjoyable car I ever owned. I think you should do this one justice and rebuild it to factory spec (if there is enough of it left to work with!) Thanks for bringing back the memories.
I'd be happy if they'd just get it back on the road. I don't know if it would be worth it to do a complete restoration. If it were mine I would, but I'd slowly do it and try to keep driving it and enjoying it for as long as I could before I put it on a rotisserie for a full paint job.
The last few days I've gotten so hooked on watching car "revival" videos. It's interesting and I wish I knew more about cars. And hopefully I'll learn something from all the videos I watch. And hopefully sometime in the future I'll be able to buy myself my dream car and fix it up!
Videos like this are a great way to gain some fundamental understanding of how engines work and how everything works together. Couple that with diving headfirst into a project and you'll pick it up in no time. This is a great hobby to be involved in, and I love every second of rebuilding my old Chevelle and LeMans convertible.
That was totally Chief! Those were the best Formulas! I had a yellow with black vinyl top 73 Le Mans during the 80s! It was a nice paint and well kept car!
My brother ordered a factory ‘73 TransAm but just missed out on getting the SD455 engine. That was my high school graduation year and I had to wait to get my first car.
A mate of mine here in South Australia, in the last century had a '73 firebird had been converted to RHD very crudely. Had a 454 chev with headers fitted to it was a total pain, but it went hard when you you nailed it even 4 up.
Super job on restoring that Firebird My favorite car of all time is the Plymouth Roadrunner. I hope one day y'all can find that in a junkyard and restore it.
I bought a 64 2 dr Impala in winter of 89 for $200.00, a 327 with cracked heads and a passenger side floor viewing hole. We called her the bondo buggy in shop class, your Firebird reminded me of her.
I love watching people wasting their time adjusting rocker arms with the engine off. The fastest, and most accurate way to adjust hyd Chevy rockers is with it running. Pop the valve covers off, slip the clips on, fire it up, and doing one rocker at a time; loosen until it clacks, tighten until it stops, and go 1/4 turn. All 16 rockers can be done in 3-5 minutes.
starting fluid doesn't hurt engines, straight ether does but canned starting fluid has barely any ether in it, in fact a guy ran an engine on straight Aerostart and the engine was perfectly fine afterwards with no change in wear
Good memories!!! I had the '74 Formula model in a bit of better condition back in the day. I updated the suspension to WS6 and warmed the motor up a bit. Lots of fun for sure!!
David Traver Adolphus the old man I got it from said he thinks it had a cracked block when he got it but it drove into his yard he bought it from an auction and parked it but the block maybe able to be sleeved but who knows I bought the car fully expecting for no motor and trans so I'm happy either way
I absolutely love the car. I had 76 formula. With the Pontiac 350 4 barrel. And I had it for 17 years. Before I sold it. Took lots of $ to fully restore it .
Cool ride. I'm a F-body lover for many years. I've got a ton of parts for 70 - 81 Firebirds. I have a 70 Formula project in my yard too. I think the front end of these cars are so awesome. Good luck with her.
Awesome project .I look forward to this journey . I have one myself .In Cali .I have a 73 firebird espirt .350 4b carb . At the moment working on suspension. Good luck brother And be safe.
According to some service manuals, a quick way to set preload in most stock SBCs is to crank the engine over by hand, with the number 1 cylinder at the top of the compression stroke and tighten (or loosen) the rocker arm nut until the lifter can just barely be turned between two fingers with a slight bit of drag. Repeat this process for each cylinder until all preload for every valve has been completed. This will get you very close to ideal preload, or perhaps dead on the money in many cases. I used this when I rebuild the valve guide seals on my 87 C10, and it works flawlessly. Engine ran beautifyully on startup with only minor adjustment to the timing after having replaced the distributor.
I love Firebirds dude, my third car with a 71 with a 455, I got it it had 44,000 miles with the four-speed Muncie and a 12-bolt posi with 4 10 s, a month after I got it I got hit head on by a motorcycle completely totaled it 😭 bring that baby back to life dude 👍☮️
Growing up in the UK (now living in the USA) I have been an F body fan for many many years but for me the bullnose shape is one of my favorite classic car designs of all time
Thank you for the great episode!! I MUST WARN YOU FIRST BEFORE DISPENSING THE PLEASENTRIES !!!! I have owned F-bodies since 1988 ( 1 year before even getting my license) and I will share a sad tale. I took the entire car apart, sprayed the subframe in DuPont black immeron and the car came together BEAUTIFUL!!! Well what went wrong? The car rotted to death from the inside out within 5 years because of all the junk caught inside the rockers. These cars have that stupid GM wash and dry rocker panel system that when water goes in the cowl it comes out in front of the rear wheel. They started doing this on the Chevy II and it in simple terms turns the rockers into mulching devices up until it rots from the inside out with NO WARNING. So please make sure to inspect - flush and if need be open up, clean and rhino liner the inside of the cowl and rockers !!!!! When the cars were 10 years or even 15 years old they didn’t sit around enough to do this sort of damage but all these years later it ruins your day until you find another shell to put your car into lol..... Well here is my story I lucked out and got the PERFECT, clean , all original 1979 Trans Am that had all the goodies like power windows, trunk and locks, cruise, pulse wipers and a hard top. White with black interior as an added bonus on the option sheet was WS-6. Well I found the car near by- the drivers door was mangled and the front fenders dented beyond the point of being helped. So in the meant I took my 455 Super Duty, had it converted to a hydraulic roller cam , filled the block up to the jackets, did a lifter valley reinforcement kit, had custom rods made to slow down the piston speed (6.625 to 6.8 Big Block Chevy blank) and of course the Kaufman brothers made me a nasty custom set of heads with LS1 style heart shaped cumbustion chambers. It is AMAZING to see what a good old Pontiac can do when done right and hold together while purring like a kitten. .... I did it ALL RIGHT! The car put down on a Mustang Dyno with ZERO correction 780 horsepower and 750 ft lbs of torque all on 9.8 or so compression. With a custom made turbo 400 (2.75-1.75 first and second gear) my first and second gear take off, 3000 flash stall converter and a 2.41 rear end it was going like a 3.08 first and second gear and by that time the car was like a freight train going into that 2.41. So in short: the car had no problem at all (along with the body modifications) doing 200 MPH !!! B.S. you my friends I am not..... I had a ton of fun playing with my friends Murcielogo ! Now she needs a shell to put all these goodies into.
OMG put a real Pontiac engine in it!!! It at least deserves that much. I've been building them for over 40years and as long as you upgrade the timing chain they'll run forever.
Damn you guy's, your taking me back to better times in my life for real. And to new wrenchers out here watching these videos, this is great for you all. Man I wish you guys could find me a van and get it running so I could have some freedom. I could come up with the money. And it wouldn't hurt your channel at all doing a video on the build. What do y'all say??
This car deserves a 455! I once owned a 74 formula that had a Pontiac 350. The 455 went right in there. Thumb up. You guys remind me of me 30 years ago. BTW, that hood should be fiberglass, and may be worth as much as the whole car.
Is that the original hood for this car ? I love these cars...thumbs down to the SBC in this car anyway.. would rather have seen a Pontiac 400... consider a 455.. please ! Nothing wrong with a quadrajet by the way... probably the most misunderstood carb ever.
@@zuestoots5176 I was more speaking to the originality of the car...yes the 400 wouldn't be my first choice of Pontiac engines... however I have seen some that were warmed up nice.
Been a mechanic all my life. The way the engine cranked the first time I know it was not a problem with the timing. Keep going until the engine starts and then make all the adjustments needed. Possibly the carb did not need rebuilding or maybe it did. But let it start first then take it from there. Chevy 350 with a Pontiac intake manifold I might run into problems with that. By the way that is not how you adjust the valves. If they are hydraulic lifters in contrast to hard lifters what you do is turn the engine until the rocker is free. Adjust it until it has no up and down play and then give it a quarter of a turn, turn the engine on, loosen the rocker until it starts knocking, turn it back until it stops knocking, and then give it a half to a quarter of a turn.. This engine is going to run great
Nice Firebird! I've seen much worse! Most of the bodywork really doesn't look that bad. Yeah, The front of the roof & windshield channel are toast but that can be cut out & replaced with metal from a parts car. Definitely yank out that Chevy engine & replace it with a Pontiac engine. All Pontiac V-8's are the same size externally, so a 400 or 455 will slide right on in! Another nice thing about Pontiac engines is that most years, they have the engines displacement cast into the blocks on both sides towards the front which eliminates guessing. Are you gonna be making more Lemans videos?
Hey Mr. Digs. I saw this car for sale near tulsa three years ago. He wanted like $6800 for it. 350 chevy engine. Need a lot of work huh. I had a 73 formula in 1979. thatts why I looked at that one. He had others. Way above my ability. good luck with it. I'm building 72 firebird with 69 gto 400 engine with 670 heads. Its a screamer. didn't have to paint it.
Great video! The king of first starts strikes again. I really like the paint scheme on that ol`girl!
hi
Derek when r u going to do a firebird? Correct me if you have already
Its factree
yes
Well, I'll be dipped! A feller didn't think he'd find you here! lol
The story of this old bird getting brought back to life and then having a happy rip through the snow was better than anything Hollywood has made in the last ten years.
nice car should clean up good
One of the best looking car fronts ever.
I don't have anything against the venerable 350. I have installed, worked on them, re-built them, etc.,etc., but what that car needs is a HO 455 and you will have a screamer. In 1975 I had a 71 with a 455 in it and 4-speed. One time I was cruising at 60 mph in 4th gear and all I did was punch the car and it started smoking both rear tires as it shot up in speed over 100 mph in just seconds. It was absolutely the most powerful feeling car I ever had. I wish I would have been able to keep it, but youth and youthful ideas are most of the time done without much real deep thought about what you are doing. It mostly was about what you wanted at the time. I miss that car a lot.
Hey Mr. Digs. Just wanted to let you know your vids really help me feel better. Mom had to go the the hospital for the 3rd time this month today, and these videos really take my mind off of it. Thank you brother.
Edit** it's been a week, and momma is still in the hospital. I graduate on Friday, and she's been there for every single first day and last. She won't get to make it to the one thing she's been fighting with me for. 12 years of agony and long nights, and she isn't gonna be there guys. I'm really discouraged, and don't really know if I want to graduate anymore.
Do me a big favor, Hug your mom really tight and tell her you love her.
My mom passed away on March 31st. Three days before her 53rd birthday. I took her to the hospital on a Friday and by Sunday she passed away due to a widespread infection throughout her body.
It's never easy, my mom was in and out after her first and second heart bypasses. She's okay now and still driving a stick at 72 so be positive and I hope your mom gets better and comes home soon!!! Keep your chin up.
DragonBrownies I am so sorry to hear that brother. I definitely will. Today is Mother's Day and she's still in ICU so I went and cleaned the house from top to bottom. Maybe when she gets home she will notice
Matthew Fogarty I'm so glad to hear that brother. I hope Momma gets better soon. I pray she does
I hope your Mom gets better soon
American Muscle will live forever ! People these videos are therapeutic to me, I absolutely love it to watch when a classic car gets salvaged and brought back to live, and is eventually restored to its full glory. Especially if it is American Muscle, luxury coupes land yachts, or even older vehicles from the very early ages of the brass era automotive era.
I salute you guys and all the fines folks that do the likes of it.
I know this is a month or two late but I personally share a love for these cars as well. I think this ole gal needs a full resto and I think you should document it on your UA-cam channel as you go along. That’s a series I would def watch start to finish. I’m binge watching the Satellite vids now on both channels. Amazing y’all. Absolutely amazing.
I am 57 don’t have money or time to do that kind of stuff anymore.But getting to watch you guys and the other ones is the next best thing.But I am getting to slowly rebuild my 1997 bmw convertible which is fun
Take your time with this one. Stabilize the body, work on the chassis, electrical and interior as time and money allow. But budget for a Pontiac 455 when you find one! Man, she'll be a keeper!
Who’s here watching 3 years later?! I’m scanning my way through the library for any I might have missed! Thank you JYD!
Nice Bird, dude. I just picked up a '73 Amx Javelin, around the same condition as your bird. Got it running the other day, the 360 ran smooth and the 4 speed works. Love doing this stuff.
Max Jax Lucky you buddy!
One of my wife's car as a teen. I grew up with big block buddies and had a few of my own. What I learned is they create crap loads of carbon build up on everything exposed to combustion. A regular long cruise while adding top end cleaner every time you shut the hot engine off does wonders. Choke it out with the cleaner, have some lunch and do it over again until the valves shine. Then keep a crap load of fuel additive in the tank for a while. After that it's up to you on things. Gasoline these days really doesn't have a lot of umph, you can get creative on a cleaner burn. Cheers! great video and congrats on your dream car. You manifested it, Been there done that. No other feeling like having a dream car or cars....YAY!
My 1st car was a "74 Pontiac Firebird. Paid $400. for it in 1975. Great little car.
Mine was a 1982 chevy c10 custom with a 350 small block from February 2003 to 2008 I was a kid but it was a grandad of mine that died from cancer and it was given to me...... I miss it to this day
I’ve been watching your videos for quite awhile so I don’t know how I missed this one. Wow do you look different without the beard! I’m probably older than most your fans but its awesome watching you work on these old junkers. You’ve got a lot of knowledge and you use it. That’s something you don’t see a lot of these days in young or old people.
The first car I bought myself was a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Espre? Red with black bucket seats and a 3 speed on the floor. It had a 350 2bbl no power steering , had disc brakes. I bought the car for a graduation present to myself in 1975. Like I said I’m older.. I put dual glass pacs on the car Fenton racing wheels, and speed rated raiding tires and air shocks. I ran the crap out of that car, redline was5500 rpms . It would get rubber in all three gears! I never changed anything else .my girlfriend and I would go to our local McDonald’s on Friday and Saturday nights hang out and pickup racing my favorite was stop light to stop light. It’s wasn’t the fastest car in the group but it did pretty darn good. I kept that car for 2 years then did something stupid. I got married and traded my bird for more of a family car. I’ve missed that car since the day I traded it off and seeing you with that 73 I hope you fix it and keep it.
Thank you for sharing your videos and your life. May God bless you in all you do..
Out of all the years of the Pontiac versions of these cars 73 74 was my favorite. They used to come in an orange color that was just loud but cool. I really hope you make this guy the road tool she should be! However it's gonna take a lot of work! Great stuff guys! Thank you!
Hey I got a 1976 classic van for sell its got a big block in it and it runs for sell you can call me 9107407927 my name is ricky and I stay in Lumberton nc
WOW, my first car! 1973 Firebird Formula 400 w/350 Turbo trans. Passed it on to my brother when I bought a new one and he outran the the local police a bunch of times before losing his license. He sold it after it sat a while, but it was still in great shape - just really drank gas. Mine had the same hood scoops - non-functioning because they not been knocked out. It could have been made functional, but never got around to it. Yours has seen better days.
The first video of yours that I saw was the F250 revival with Lucas, which I have watched probably a dozen times over. This is the channel for true gearheads. Really great videos and the editing is spot on. It makes these videos so much fun to watch and has me dreaming every time I see an abandoned ride in a field. Thanks for the great videos and lofty dreams! :D
I was taught to adjust Chevy valves by running the engine, loosen the rocker nut until you hear "clacking", tighten until it goes away and add 1/4 to a 1/2 turn. Always worked out great for me, but it does make a bit of a mess. CorvetteBen made some valve covers to use when doing this. He cut the top, center out of a pair of old covers and it really does a good job of reducing the oil splash.
Congrats on the owning one of the best years of Firebirds made!
This video is much better than the car shows that you see on TV. Instead of everything being a high stress time crunch it's just 2 guys that know what theyre doing but still make mistakes and laugh them off. Just doing what they love
that fire bird is a prime candidate for a full restore !!!
He's definitely got his hands full with that one dam it's rough and rotten but anything can be done with money and determination and the money has to come before anything lol
If you were closer to me, I'd give you a PONTIAC 350 to put in that bird. That SBC belongs in a Camaro, NOT a Formula. I used to have a 73 Formula 400, it was my favorite car ever. Glad you are keeping the dream alive, tho!
Yeah, you got that right....get that Chev out..I would imagine some previous owner took out the bottom end in the 400 Pontiac (probably a rod bearing) and was too lazy to re-do it right.....that is, re-do the Pontiac mill. Pull the Chev and save the Chev for??
Good luck saving her....hope you carry on with it.
Well done! You lost all that footage but you recovered nicely. Great idea to take the time and explain the loss. It worked flawlessly. Be safe and thanks for sharing.
My first car was a then 6 year old 1970 Firebird 350 I bought with a three speed Saginaw and 68,000 miles on it for $1000. It was hands down my favorite car ever. Your video made me nostalgic for my old bird - Bad!
Firebird 400 is one of the coolest cars ever!
I had a 1973 Firebird Formula with a Pontiac 400. balanced and blueprinted, headers, Crower Cam, Muncie w/Hurst shifter 4 speed, Holley 4 barrel. It was a numbers matching car when I bought it but, it did have a 75 nose on it presumably for the better headlight setup. I like the original front end much better. Your front end looks to be in pretty good shape. One thing that you will want to add as you go along is sub frame connectors as the rear frame from the factory is uni-body and, a definite weak spot in it's construction. I had to get rid of mine back in 95 I think it was and, I have missed the car ever since. If your looking for body and or suspension parts - you might try Bethels Goat Farm if they are still in business. They carried a large number of hard to find Pontiac parts. I kook forward to seeing more of your build as you go along and, sincerely wish you the best of luck with it. They were a beautiful design and I wish there were more of them still around! Garrett Doyle
Yesss, finally a new video! Aaand about a Pontiac! Greetings from Hungary
Tolnai János végre valaki ismeri ezt a csatornát itthon is 😍
@@peterbalint311 Vagyunk néhányan azért ;)
@@Gookrak Bizony
Can you find one of those in hungary
as someone who's first muscle car they saw was a firebird it has had a special place in my part and im so glad to see you restore one i'd love to see the end product.
My buddy has a 71 formula 400 that we are currently rebuilding the 400 and th350 trans. Theyre awesome cars. If anyone near pa has a dash we could sure use one. Lol
I owned and restored a 1975 Pontiac Formula 400 with a 4 speed & 3:43 rear, back in June 1982 and had some real fun with that car, (miss it). Drove that car until May 1989 and after joining the Army back in May 1989 and leaving it at my uncles home in Landsdale, PA the winter weather took it's toll on the body & frame. So I upgraded to a 1975 Pontiac Trans-am with a 400, 4 speed & 3:73 rear back in Oct 2001 and she was a project car for someone else and they lost interest on finishing this car but the engine was overhauled and run's great and I also plan on restoring the whole car either this summer or during this year, money provided? Married life with kids always takes a front seat to everything, like the saying goes "Happy Wife, Happy Life". Great video but rebuilding these cars are really more fun and a lot can be done to them so enjoy it while it last. (Restore is the way to go and a Formula is more desirable)!!!!
I know the feeling, I got my dream car which is a 69 dodge charger with a 440 in it. I found when I was a junior in high school. I'm 35 now and still working on it. But I love that car.
Good luck with the charger. I really want one. Check out a channel called junkerup on UA-cam. He is all about chargers.
New dream car unlocked!! Love that front grill with the aligning hood scoops and those body lines. What a car!!!
**Awesooooome!** Sounds like it has just rolled off the assembly-line!
That beauuuuutiful rumble of the V8! Cheers from New Zealand!
I owned a 1979 z28 camaro with a 350 with the 350 turbo trans, I blew the engine at 335k miles and put in a 383 stroker loved that car
I see a multi-coloured Firebird & I want to paint it blaaaack....and drop in a 455.
Not 455 but SD 455. Fixed that.
@@jeffmason103 Mmmmm...Sooooper dooooty. And a shaker. And a Muncie.
@@jeffmason103 and my 01 Passat is faster in every way. 235hp at 6000 and 230lb/ft at 3000 , red line of 7500rpm, 3400lb curb, better brakes, better geometry and its a 4 door family car. . classic cars are cool but the shit engines are horrible. Dont get me wrong, i love me some loppy V8 but there is no point. I Feed my V8 addiction with a 97 grand marquis with bolts ons, heads, cams, all the suspension goodies and a bit of N2o.. 460hp on pump gas (500HP on N2o) for the last 150k miles.
@@zuestoots5176 Well..uuuh..10 points for you, I guess. I doubt we'll be seeing people rescuing your Passat in 50 years and giving it a loving restoration. Or your Grand Marquis, either.
@@XBullitt16X I hear ya. The catch: it's all older stuff. I think we can all agree that older stuff is / was loads better than the stuff of today. Sad .... but true.
The proper way to adjust the valves on a SBC is by starting the engine and for each cylinder in turn, loosen the rocker arm until it clicks then slowly tighten the rocker until the clicking just stops and tighten the nut a further 3/4 turn. if you want a little more rpm before valve float only tighten the rocker nut a half turn. Repeat for each rocker. I learned this 45 years ago when I was apprenticing as a mechanic. I got a set of slash shields from the Snap-on guy to clip on the rockers to deflect the oil pumping out the push-rods so it doesn't spray everywhere while making the adjustments. Easy-peasy
This car is beautiful. One of my favourite cars ever
Owned a '72 Esprit (same look minus the hood scoops) 350 with a 2 speed slushbox. Upgraded to a 350TBH with a shift kit and a B&M Quickclick shifter. New paint, wheels and tires. Most enjoyable car I ever owned.
I think you should do this one justice and rebuild it to factory spec (if there is enough of it left to work with!)
Thanks for bringing back the memories.
I think you should fully restore it
awwwwwwwww, spray do a qwik sand with a scotch brite and hit it with some satin clear and change the dubs for 15 Pontiac
mags
I'd be happy if they'd just get it back on the road. I don't know if it would be worth it to do a complete restoration. If it were mine I would, but I'd slowly do it and try to keep driving it and enjoying it for as long as I could before I put it on a rotisserie for a full paint job.
Restore it completely
@@WS-kk2iz back to original factory specs. No mods.
No just wrap it 🤓
The last few days I've gotten so hooked on watching car "revival" videos. It's interesting and I wish I knew more about cars. And hopefully I'll learn something from all the videos I watch. And hopefully sometime in the future I'll be able to buy myself my dream car and fix it up!
Videos like this are a great way to gain some fundamental understanding of how engines work and how everything works together. Couple that with diving headfirst into a project and you'll pick it up in no time. This is a great hobby to be involved in, and I love every second of rebuilding my old Chevelle and LeMans convertible.
Favorite belt flavor is them sour rainbow ones. Who knew candy stores sold car parts!
That was totally Chief! Those were the best Formulas! I had a yellow with black vinyl top 73 Le Mans during the 80s! It was a nice paint and well kept car!
I love that year, make and model! I cant wait to see how it turns out
My brother ordered a factory ‘73 TransAm but just missed out on getting the SD455 engine. That was my high school graduation year and I had to wait to get my first car.
Think you make it the way you want your dream car to be, love those old Pontiacs
A mate of mine here in South Australia, in the last century had a '73 firebird had been converted to RHD very crudely. Had a 454 chev with headers fitted to it was a total pain, but it went hard when you you nailed it even 4 up.
" my old man is a television repairman,he's got the ultimate set of tools. I can fix it" - Jeff spicoli
i thought it was my brother is a plumber
Huhhhh?
Dewayne Kaczmarek fast times at ridgemont high movie
"
Keep it...restore it...it’s a beautiful car , I remember when that particular style came out ( giving my age away here) but not many around anymore
My favorite bet flavor is Burnt Offering.
I'm envious, I use to own (among others) a 70 that I made to look like a Trans Am. Very fun, fast car. I'm 65
Awsome video guys.... Keep them coming.....you guys are seriously living the dream for me.... classic American cars..🤘 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Super job on restoring that Firebird
My favorite car of all time is the Plymouth Roadrunner. I hope one day y'all can find that in a junkyard and restore it.
Nice car! It’s got the Dylan McCool Charger paint scheme. Love it! 😎👍
I don't like my vintage cars w/ a beat up body. That would make me look bad.
I bought a 64 2 dr Impala in winter of 89 for $200.00, a 327 with cracked heads and a passenger side floor viewing hole. We called her the bondo buggy in shop class, your Firebird reminded me of her.
Welcome to the Fbody gang! :D
I just happened to "stumble upon" this video I never saw...
That must be "Baby Kevin"!
Please confirm that you still own this beautiful Fire Chicken!
Do a collaboration with vice grip garage!!!!!!!
I love watching people wasting their time adjusting rocker arms with the engine off. The fastest, and most accurate way to adjust hyd Chevy rockers is with it running. Pop the valve covers off, slip the clips on, fire it up, and doing one rocker at a time; loosen until it clacks, tighten until it stops, and go 1/4 turn. All 16 rockers can be done in 3-5 minutes.
ahhhh, your killing whats left of those valves with that starting fluid.!
starting fluid doesn't hurt engines, straight ether does but canned starting fluid has barely any ether in it, in fact a guy ran an engine on straight Aerostart and the engine was perfectly fine afterwards with no change in wear
I was told it combusts more fiercely than petrol and because of this displaces the oil
My brother had a beautiful 72 Firebird Formula that he bought in 1982. It was an awesome machine.
Do not spin the push rod when setting your preload. Use up and down movement only, then 1/2 turn down. I use the EOIC method and it's accurate.
Seeing a video this old and how you look here vs current is crazy!!
FINALLY SOME FIREBIRD LOVE. Sorry, got excited.
HELLO, FELLOW OPPO!
That Chevy crap does need to go though lol IT SUX!!!!!
Good memories!!! I had the '74 Formula model in a bit of better condition back in the day. I updated the suspension to WS6 and warmed the motor up a bit. Lots of fun for sure!!
Who else is here in 2024?
Darn near 2025
Brings old memories back, love every bit of it. Thank you for taking the time to video from Steve N.B Canada
Love the video I've got a 79 formula and just picked up a 76 factory 455 speed trans am project
That 455 is probably worth more than the rest of the car put together.
David Traver Adolphus the old man I got it from said he thinks it had a cracked block when he got it but it drove into his yard he bought it from an auction and parked it but the block maybe able to be sleeved but who knows I bought the car fully expecting for no motor and trans so I'm happy either way
I absolutely love the car. I had 76 formula. With the Pontiac 350 4 barrel. And I had it for 17 years. Before I sold it. Took lots of $ to fully restore it .
"you got rust on your teeth" would be a great Junkyard Digs Tshirt
Cool ride. I'm a F-body lover for many years. I've got a ton of parts for 70 - 81 Firebirds.
I have a 70 Formula project in my yard too. I think the front end of these cars are so awesome.
Good luck with her.
Love these junkyard rescues….
Awesome project .I look forward to this journey .
I have one myself .In Cali .I have a 73 firebird espirt .350 4b carb .
At the moment working on suspension.
Good luck brother
And be safe.
Swap out that 350 for a Poncho 400!
According to some service manuals, a quick way to set preload in most stock SBCs is to crank the engine over by hand, with the number 1 cylinder at the top of the compression stroke and tighten (or loosen) the rocker arm nut until the lifter can just barely be turned between two fingers with a slight bit of drag. Repeat this process for each cylinder until all preload for every valve has been completed. This will get you very close to ideal preload, or perhaps dead on the money in many cases. I used this when I rebuild the valve guide seals on my 87 C10, and it works flawlessly. Engine ran beautifyully on startup with only minor adjustment to the timing after having replaced the distributor.
FYI Chevys SUCK!!!!
Me and Junkyard Digs have at least one thing in common...no gloves 😜 maybe not the smartest thing, but oh well💯💯💪💪
Classic Ride Society same😂
@@waterzonegt9179 😄💯👍
gloves are for gardening.
I love Firebirds dude, my third car with a 71 with a 455, I got it it had 44,000 miles with the four-speed Muncie and a 12-bolt posi with 4 10 s, a month after I got it I got hit head on by a motorcycle completely totaled it 😭 bring that baby back to life dude 👍☮️
Nice Formula saved from the crusher👍
Growing up in the UK (now living in the USA) I have been an F body fan for many many years but for me the bullnose shape is one of my favorite classic car designs of all time
Favorite belt flavor is cherry. Where do you think Twizzlers came from 😂
Weird that I am eating Twizzlers when reading this comment.
@@devianb Holy cow, me too! #TrueStory
Thank you for the great episode!!
I MUST WARN YOU FIRST BEFORE DISPENSING THE PLEASENTRIES !!!!
I have owned F-bodies since 1988 ( 1 year before even getting my license) and I will share a sad tale.
I took the entire car apart, sprayed the subframe in DuPont black immeron and the car came together BEAUTIFUL!!!
Well what went wrong?
The car rotted to death from the inside out within 5 years because of all the junk caught inside the rockers.
These cars have that stupid GM wash and dry rocker panel system that when water goes in the cowl it comes out in front of the rear wheel.
They started doing this on the Chevy II and it in simple terms turns the rockers into mulching devices up until it rots from the inside out with NO WARNING.
So please make sure to inspect - flush and if need be open up, clean and rhino liner the inside of the cowl and rockers !!!!!
When the cars were 10 years or even 15 years old they didn’t sit around enough to do this sort of damage but all these years later it ruins your day until you find another shell to put your car into lol.....
Well here is my story
I lucked out and got the PERFECT, clean , all original 1979 Trans Am that had all the goodies like power windows, trunk and locks, cruise, pulse wipers and a hard top.
White with black interior as an added bonus on the option sheet was WS-6.
Well I found the car near by- the drivers door was mangled and the front fenders dented beyond the point of being helped.
So in the meant I took my 455 Super Duty, had it converted to a hydraulic roller cam , filled the block up to the jackets, did a lifter valley reinforcement kit, had custom rods made to slow down the piston speed (6.625 to 6.8 Big Block Chevy blank) and of course the Kaufman brothers made me a nasty custom set of heads with LS1 style heart shaped cumbustion chambers. It is AMAZING to see what a good old Pontiac can do when done right and hold together while purring like a kitten. .... I did it ALL RIGHT!
The car put down on a Mustang Dyno with ZERO correction 780 horsepower and 750 ft lbs of torque all on 9.8 or so compression.
With a custom made turbo 400 (2.75-1.75 first and second gear) my first and second gear take off, 3000 flash stall converter and a 2.41 rear end it was going like a 3.08 first and second gear and by that time the car was like a freight train going into that 2.41.
So in short: the car had no problem at all (along with the body modifications) doing 200 MPH !!!
B.S. you my friends I am not..... I had a ton of fun playing with my friends Murcielogo !
Now she needs a shell to put all these goodies into.
OMG put a real Pontiac engine in it!!! It at least deserves that much. I've been building them for over 40years and as long as you upgrade the timing chain they'll run forever.
Yea came a 400 big bock 😆
Pontiacs all have the same block size. Just bored out different.
That Firebird just came back to life before our very eyes. Nice donuts - congrats on the new toy! I look forward to seeing what you do with it.
My favorite belt flavor is sour tuna. Thank you.😂😂😂
You are lucky it is warm in Iowa. Here in CT it is down to 37 at night right now. Not that warm - glad to see someone is benefiting from Spring.
So much better looking than a split bumper camaro!
Damn you guy's, your taking me back to better times in my life for real. And to new wrenchers out here watching these videos, this is great for you all. Man I wish you guys could find me a van and get it running so I could have some freedom. I could come up with the money. And it wouldn't hurt your channel at all doing a video on the build. What do y'all say??
My favorite belt flavor is blueberry. I like to put em in my muffins sometimes😂
This car deserves a 455! I once owned a 74 formula that had a Pontiac 350. The 455 went right in there. Thumb up. You guys remind me of me 30 years ago. BTW, that hood should be fiberglass, and may be worth as much as the whole car.
Is that the original hood for this car ? I love these cars...thumbs down to the SBC in this car anyway.. would rather have seen a Pontiac 400... consider a 455.. please ! Nothing wrong with a quadrajet by the way... probably the most misunderstood carb ever.
that is a factory formula hood
the 400 was a damn dog. around 200hp out of 400 inches is sad
Yeah the 350 is sad
We always called them quadrajunk when I worked at the dealership.
@@zuestoots5176 I was more speaking to the originality of the car...yes the 400 wouldn't be my first choice of Pontiac engines... however I have seen some that were warmed up nice.
I don't care how beat up a Firebird can get, I love em all. That is a sweet car.
This thing is way too beautiful to be real! My dream car!
Sad story - I'll never own one ... :-/
Greetings from Germany
Been a mechanic all my life. The way the engine cranked the first time I know it was not a problem with the timing. Keep going until the engine starts and then make all the adjustments needed. Possibly the carb did not need rebuilding or maybe it did. But let it start first then take it from there. Chevy 350 with a Pontiac intake manifold I might run into problems with that. By the way that is not how you adjust the valves. If they are hydraulic lifters in contrast to hard lifters what you do is turn the engine until the rocker is free. Adjust it until it has no up and down play and then give it a quarter of a turn, turn the engine on, loosen the rocker until it starts knocking, turn it back until it stops knocking, and then give it a half to a quarter of a turn.. This engine is going to run great
Never seen a victor jr intake with a quadra jet on it before
From watching these videos and thunderhead289 videos I've learned Luke is a smart man, very entertaining!!! Thanks Keven and mook!!!
The engine was playing 'flight of the bumblebee', when you were attempting to start it at first.
Time to pull out the Year One and Classic Industries catalogs! If you have a vin number, you can build a complete band new car.
THAT'S A RAP !! lol, you hooned it ! I can see that you have a few rockauto magnets on the fridge...
Very cool getting that 350 running, and i really like wathching the donuts in the show!!!! I am looking forward to the build of that Firebird!!!
Nice Firebird! I've seen much worse! Most of the bodywork really doesn't look that bad. Yeah, The front of the roof & windshield channel are toast but that can be cut out & replaced with metal from a parts car. Definitely yank out that Chevy engine & replace it with a Pontiac engine. All Pontiac V-8's are the same size externally, so a 400 or 455 will slide right on in! Another nice thing about Pontiac engines is that most years, they have the engines displacement cast into the blocks on both sides towards the front which eliminates guessing. Are you gonna be making more Lemans videos?
Hey Mr. Digs. I saw this car for sale near tulsa three years ago. He wanted like $6800 for it. 350 chevy engine. Need a lot of work huh. I had a 73 formula in 1979. thatts why I looked at that one. He had others. Way above my ability. good luck with it. I'm building 72 firebird with 69 gto 400 engine with 670 heads. Its a screamer. didn't have to paint it.