Hello. Goodbye.

[Bull]

Hello to a '76 TA, goodbye to a '95 Formula. The former arrived yesterday, and the latter was trailered away to OH directly thereafter. The '95 was clean and a six speed, but my needs and interests changed a while ago, and I have always wanted a second gen. I started with a thirdgen ('92 Formula 350), so this is my third F-body.

The '76 is a driver quality car. Newer but cheap cheap repaint, engine rebuilt last year but has low oil pressure (no noise) when hot. No rot that I can see anywhere except for the rear inner valance. Goal is to get it in cruising condition for the summer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/2ManyCars/IMG_2217.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/2ManyCars/IMG_2204.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/2ManyCars/IMG_2219.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/2ManyCars/IMG_2233.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/2ManyCars/IMG_2235.jpg

[DavidS]

Beautiful TA! Any ideas on the cause of the low oil pressure? How low does it go?

[My84Z]

congrats on the car man. still got the gto?

[Bull]

Beautiful TA! Any ideas on the cause of the low oil pressure? How low does it go?

Thank you. In person, you'd have to downgrade your assessment of the TA's condition to "pretty decent" though.

The pressure goes way low, like maybe 5-10 psi. My guess, based on what the previous owner already did during the troubleshooting process, is that the bearing clearances are off. I've also read that there is a small plug near the distributor that is removed during the cleaning phase of the rebuilding process, and that, if not reinstalled, can cause a low pressure problem when hot. I am going to drain the oil and run some heavy weight stuff in the car and see if that keeps the pressure up when hot. A bandaid measure, I know, but with decent pressure and no noise, I should still be able to enjoy the car for a bit before taking the engine out.

It needs some other, minor stuff, too, like a functioning e-brake and for the reverse lights to be wired up.

[Bull]

congrats on the car man. still got the gto?

Yes, still have that car. I's been hibernating for years now. It needs to be driven.

[Formula413]

Hey, long time no see! Congrats on the new wheels, I love that body style.

[danZ28]

Car's got a lot of potential! Nice find

[Grovlet]

Thank you. In person, you'd have to downgrade your assessment of the TA's condition to "pretty decent" though.

The pressure goes way low, like maybe 5-10 psi. My guess, based on what the previous owner already did during the troubleshooting process, is that the bearing clearances are off. I've also read that there is a small plug near the distributor that is removed during the cleaning phase of the rebuilding process, and that, if not reinstalled, can cause a low pressure problem when hot. I am going to drain the oil and run some heavy weight stuff in the car and see if that keeps the pressure up when hot. A bandaid measure, I know, but with decent pressure and no noise, I should still be able to enjoy the car for a bit before taking the engine out.

It needs some other, minor stuff, too, like a functioning e-brake and for the reverse lights to be wired up.

Yup It's easy to leave out one of the 'Freeze Plugs' and have low oil pressure. I know when rebuilding my buddies 350 in his truck that happened, and once we popped one in, pressure problem was solved.

Hopefully it's the missing plug vs. bearing clearances:sFun_bangdesk:

[ls6monte]

Welcome and nice TA!

[*LS1* Queen]

wow nice find! congrats

[bottledbird68]

Hey, I remember you!
Welcome to the forum :)

[irockidz28]

welcome!!

[TA78]

Bull, welcome to the world of 2nd gens. Looks good, is it a 76 with 75 grills, A T/A with a formula hood or a formula with T/A fenders? If ya need a hand with anything I'd be willing to help out I have a bunch of parts left from my build. Now if your looking for a firebird club to join, we're here www.pioneervalleyfirebirds.com

TA78/John

[Bull]

Bull, welcome to the world of 2nd gens. Looks good, is it a 76 with 75 grills, A T/A with a formula hood or a formula with T/A fenders? If ya need a hand with anything I'd be willing to help out I have a bunch of parts left from my build. Now if your looking for a firebird club to join, we're here www.pioneervalleyfirebirds.com

TA78/John


Hi John. Thanks for the welcome. I recognize your name from TAC. I might have spoken to you on there a number of years ago, about looking for one of these cars. I've been looking every year since, oh, I don't know, 2001 or so!

I will check out that link you sent me; a Firebird club would be great. What kinds of parts do you have left over?

I forgot to answer your questions. The car is a real TA, but with the Formula hood that the PO added. It has the '75 grills, and someone said it has gfx from a later ('79?) TA.

[TA78]

Bull, yes we have chatted before. DON'T get rid of that hood, its a 1 year only very sought after. It will be easier if you tell me what you might need. A friend of mine also has a 76, I sold him some 76 parts I bought and didn't need. I'm pretty sure he has an extra 76 hood. If your driving it by June 5th come on down to the PVGTO show here in Agawam, our club is sponsoring the "favorite firebird" award. Then there's the all firebird show in Saratoga NY on July 9th and firebird night @ Marks cruise night in E.Granby Ct July 11th.

[My84Z]

Now now it's not nice to solicite another site/club on here

[TA78]

Now now it's not nice to solicite another site/club on here

FWIW, We link every Firebird and FBody site we come across on our site. Aren't we all in the same hobby-Love of the GM F-Body??

[Formula413]

FWIW, We link every Firebird and FBody site we come across on our site. Aren't we all in the same hobby-Love of the GM F-Body??

Yes absolutely, there's nothing wrong with encouraging people to join other F Body related clubs, no reason people can't belong to more than one club, I have for years. Anything that keeps interest in F Bodies going is welcome.

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

FWIW, We link every Firebird and FBody site we come across on our site. Aren't we all in the same hobby-Love of the GM F-Body??


i dont see one for us.......

[My84Z]

Yes absolutely, there's nothing wrong with encouraging people to join other F Body related clubs, no reason people can't belong to more than one club, I have for years. Anything that keeps interest in F Bodies going is welcome.

Great job :rolleyes:

[Formula413]

Great job :rolleyes:

Thanks.

[jayws6]

welcom to the club

[TBerry95z28]

lil late but welcome! nice t/a

[DAWG]

Welcome aboard!
nice to see ya made it!

[black heartbeat]

Welcome to the clubs and beautiful TA btw

[bottledbird68]

Bull, yes we have chatted before. DON'T get rid of that hood, its a 1 year only very sought after. It will be easier if you tell me what you might need. A friend of mine also has a 76, I sold him some 76 parts I bought and didn't need. I'm pretty sure he has an extra 76 hood. If your driving it by June 5th come on down to the PVGTO show here in Agawam, our club is sponsoring the "favorite firebird" award. Then there's the all firebird show in Saratoga NY on July 9th and firebird night @ Marks cruise night in E.Granby Ct July 11th.

Ah finally, the all firebird show in Saratoga isn't the same weekend as the summernationals again. I went a few years ago but haven't made I back since they keep making it the same weekend as the nats.
Was a real nice show. If I have the 68 together by then (I really hope so...) I want to plan on going.

And a pioneer valley firebird club? Cool, I'm right on the edge of the valley here in Athol :D

[My84Z]

Hmmm no posts since hmmmm

[*LS1* Queen]

hmmmmm

[Bull]

Hmmm no posts since hmmmm

hmmmmm


Hey, I'm still here every day, lurking. I don't have anything new to report!

[Formula413]

Hey, I'm still here every day, lurking. I don't have anything new to report!

And there was much rejoicing! :happy:

Hey Dave did your Formula still have those Firehawk style wheels when you sold it?

[Bull]

And there was much rejoicing! :happy:

Hey Dave did your Formula still have those Firehawk style wheels when you sold it?

I'm not exciting enough to rejoice about!

Yes, the car was sold with those wheels on it, and I also sold the stock wheels with good tires, too. I wanted it all gone...I'm trying to avoid hanging on to stuff for cars I no longer own. Been there, done that, want my space back.

[TA78]

Ah finally, the all firebird show in Saratoga isn't the same weekend as the summernationals again. I went a few years ago but haven't made I back since they keep making it the same weekend as the nats.
Was a real nice show. If I have the 68 together by then (I really hope so...) I want to plan on going.

And a pioneer valley firebird club? Cool, I'm right on the edge of the valley here in Athol :D

Not sure about the summer nationals, I don't go to that one, there are some changes to the Saratoga All Firebird show this year, new venue is one. yes us Bird guys are here, well I don't know if I'm allowed to use the "C" word so I'll use group.

[Formula413]

I'm not exciting enough to rejoice about!

Yes, the car was sold with those wheels on it, and I also sold the stock wheels with good tires, too. I wanted it all gone...I'm trying to avoid hanging on to stuff for cars I no longer own. Been there, done that, want my space back.

Ha ha probably a good policy. Those were some really unique wheels though, I honestly would have considered taking them off your hands if I knew you were unloading the car. Haven't seen them anywhere else.

[Bull]

Ha ha probably a good policy. Those were some really unique wheels though, I honestly would have considered taking them off your hands if I knew you were unloading the car. Haven't seen them anywhere else.

They made the car, IMO. The only other place you'll find them is on the early LT1 Hawks, AFAIK.

[Bren5666]

Hi Bull, I see you're new to this forum too! You're absolutely right, those rims really work well with the car. They look much better in person than they did in the pics! Hoping to get her cleaned up this weekend ands get some pics posted up. I've already driven it to work a couple times just to get a feel for her.

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

i take it you are the new owner?!?!? make a new members thread man tell us a little about yourself!!

[Bull]

Hi Bull, I see you're new to this forum too! You're absolutely right, those rims really work well with the car. They look much better in person than they did in the pics! Hoping to get her cleaned up this weekend ands get some pics posted up. I've already driven it to work a couple times just to get a feel for her.

Hah! Small world. With all the F-body sites, it's hard to figure which one is the place to hang my hat, so to speak.

Glad you like the wheels, but I am not surprised. They are pretty nice. Heck, the whole car is pretty nice!

Have precious little free time this weekend, but I hope to get the oil changed on the TA.

[KLAB]

yay more 2nd gens welcme man!

[My84Z]

:crickets:

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

looks like bull has come and gone.......

[irockidz28]

its only been 3 weeks since he last posted in here ...you never know lol

[Formula413]

He'll be back, just be patient... ;)

[thesilverone]

bull is busy moderating another forum

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

ohh? what forum is that?

[thesilverone]

www.garagejournal.com/forum

tool forum :)

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

Not bad alot of members!