New guy with 71 Formula 455

[71455Formula]

Good day to all. My name is Ben and I'm new to the site. I'm in the Pensacola, fl area. I have a 71 Firebird Formula that's getting restored and made better. It's got a traditional Pontiac motor(455 HO) and a t56 going in it. I'll post pics when I get the chance. Should be over the weekend.

[tubbed69]

welcome to the site Ben,good luck with your build.

[GMTILT]

glad you registered here ben , there are a lot of good people here and bitchin cars , I have a ton of pics of this car if you want me to post some up later I will, this is a sweet 71 formula for sure !!!!

[BMR Sales]

Welcome Ben!

[71455Formula]

Thanks to all. How'd you get pics of the GMtilt? lol. It took me a moment to realize who it was.

[chichirone]

Welcome Ben. Great to see another Pontiac guy on the site. The Lat-g members have some amazing experience and are a wealth of knowledge to learn from. I'm still a noob on the site but I've learned more than ever expected when I first signed up.

We need pics! :cheering:

[71455Formula]

Here's how the car started.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/DSC00224.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/DSC00224.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/DSC00222.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/DSC00222.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/DSC00221.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/DSC00221.jpg.html)

Couple mid way.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/get-attachment-7.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/get-attachment-7.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/get-attachment-17_zpsde7cdfba.jpeg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/get-attachment-17_zpsde7cdfba.jpeg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/get-attachment-13_zps8acc6f59.jpeg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/get-attachment-13_zps8acc6f59.jpeg.html)

Heres before I left on another deployment.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20140412_135648_zpsa3be3b11.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20140412_135648_zpsa3be3b11.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20140103_170018_zpsa98c75d9.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20140103_170018_zpsa98c75d9.jpg.html)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20140101_190306_LLS_zps4b27104a.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20140101_190306_LLS_zps4b27104a.jpg.html)

Seats and steering column are getting redone. People doing them said they're gonna look good when done. Seen some of their other seats and they look good, so I can't wait.

[WSSix]

Welcome to the site, Ben. Glad to have another 2nd gen bird here. Car looks great!

[71455Formula]

Not many of us left. Found another pic.

I know it's a mess in there, but it's what I got since I'm gone alot on deployments.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/Mobile%20Uploads/71FormulaExterior_zpsca8daeef.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/Mobile%20Uploads/71FormulaExterior_zpsca8daeef.jpg.html)

[chichirone]

Looks great Ben. You have done a ton of work on it. Love the white Procar seats.

[BBBluey]

Looks freaking awesome!

And I gotta say, I think it's great you used an actual project car in dire need of restoration to bring back to life.

The 71 is my dream ride.

[WSSix]

The third gen mesh wheels look great. Are you planning to keep them?

[71455Formula]

Thanks to all.

(chichirone Looks great Ben. You have done a ton of work on it. Love the white Procar seats.)

Sorry if the seats are confusing, but in the pics they're bare foam seats with the plastic on them. At the moment a friend of mine is covering them with black leather. Seen seats she's done before and I have no doubt they'll come out perfect.

(WSSix The third gen mesh wheels look great. Are you planning to keep them? )

I got the WS6 wheels for temp use. I'm gonna get rid of them. Eventually. Buddy of mine has first dibbs on them. If he doesn't want them....they'll be up for sale. Gonna either put YO Rally 2's or Torque thrust 2's.

[PBarkley]

Sweet, another guy keeping the Pontiac motor where it belongs. ;)

Welcome to the site!

[71455Formula]

Almost went with an LS motor, but there's nothing like a big displacement motor idling.

[OLDFLM]

Poncho Power! :thumbsup:

[tarheels15]

welcome ben. Awesome ride. Ive always had a thing for those 71's

[RussMurco]

Welcome Ben! There are a few of these early 2nd generation Firebirds on here and new ones are always welcomed!!!

[71455Formula]

Thanks. It's really rare to find true Formula's anymore. Everyone's converted them to T/A's or has a T/A.

[Panteracer]

Welcome Ben
Glad you stayed with the Pontiac motor
I have a 70 TA clone 495 Pontiac
Like you said nothing like a big motor idling

Pictured in my tag

Panteracer

[71455Formula]

A 495? Really? Is that neccesary. lol

[Panteracer]

A 495? Really? Is that neccesary. lol

I bought the motor done
So I thought. Then we changed the
Block,cam,lifters -solid roller with .750 lift,
Shaft rockers and a new carb. Now I think it
will hold together

It is always nice to have a little power:)

Panteracer

[71455Formula]

How does the old sayin go? No replacement for displacement.

[71455Formula]

It's been along time, but I have updates to the car, but it'll be this weekend before I get the pics and info up.

[71455Formula]

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/Mobile%20Uploads/20160227_113117_zpsokpbzjiu.jpeg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160227_113117_zpsokpbzjiu.jpeg.html)http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/Mobile%20Uploads/20160227_113129_zpssceuy0wb.jpeg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160227_113129_zpssceuy0wb.jpeg.html)http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/Mobile%20Uploads/20160227_113143_zpstpiwwrbw.jpeg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160227_113143_zpstpiwwrbw.jpeg.html)http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/Mobile%20Uploads/20161108_162525_zpsquaqucwm.jpeg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161108_162525_zpsquaqucwm.jpeg.html)http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/Mobile%20Uploads/20161108_162434_zps1tpfwhfw.jpeg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161108_162434_zps1tpfwhfw.jpeg.html)

Well. Last time I updated this was when I was in Florida. Goodbye Florida. Hello Montana. Big adjustment to that. Anyways. Here's some updated photos. Would have more, but been fighting with the transmission all week. Broke one of the shift rail pin bolt heads in the case, so I had to completely disassemble to get it out. Bent one of the snap rings that holds one of the gears in place. Tail housing needed work. Waiting on that to get back from the machine shop. I do have interior pics, but need to redo the carpet and the passenger door panel. Dash bezel is getting sent off this week for restoration. I got the LS1 brakes installed all the way around. SSBC rotors and pads. Looking to get rims and tires after the new year. I'll post some interior pics later this week once it's cleaned up a little.

[WSSix]

Nice work. Car looks great. I'd rather be in Montana than Florida personally, and I've never been to Montana. Good luck!

[71455Formula]

Sorry for the long delay. Lot's going on here. So here goes.

Finally got the brakes done and while I was bleeding them I wasn't getting any pressure to the rear even though I was getting fluid. Took the master back off and set it level. Lot's of air in the back half of the cylinder. Once the air was gone. What a difference.

I rebuilt the trans. Ran into a bunch of problems with that. First it was during assembly that the two shift pins broke as I was putting them back in. That was fun getting the trans taken back apart to remove them for new. Went to put the tail housing on and remembered that I still needed to add the location for the speed sensor, so material was added and a the hole was machined. Then went to put the tail housing on again and notice the bearing was gone. Went to get another, but it was discontinued across the board. Found a bearing that does the job and machined it out to fit. Trans is finally back together. Won't go it until I get the clutch kit.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170124_194138_zpselacfnsy.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170124_194138_zpselacfnsy.jpg.html)

Had the dash bezel restored. Looks awesome! Nothing more that can be said about it.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170124_190621_zps2oroocvw.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170124_190621_zps2oroocvw.jpg.html)
Got my front seats finished up. Look and feel great! Can't wait to actually sit in it while driving instead of a temp gaming chair.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170124_190846_zpsgjvdnlui.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170124_190846_zpsgjvdnlui.jpg.html)

Everything is slow right now due to funds and snow on the ground here in Great Falls, Mt, but the next projects are what wheels, fuel system, cooling system, and diff. That'll be a little bit though.

[71455Formula]

I forgot to add. I figured out why the nose is still high. The front springs are wrong,so I ordered the correct ones and they'll go in one the trans is back in.

[moneypit68]

Hey Ben, good luck with your build.
Let me know if you make it down to Orlando
Rich

[71455Formula]

Thanks. I'm up in Montana now. Can't wait to get it going.

[BMR Sales]

Well. Last time I updated this was when I was in Florida. Goodbye Florida. Hello Montana. .

Wow, that is a Big change!

[71455Formula]

No kidding. I woke up this morning February 23 and snow is on the ground. Again.

[NOT A TA]

Car's looking good! No way I'll move back north! 80 here today.

[RdHuggr68]

Your seats turned out great!

[71455Formula]

Car's looking good! No way I'll move back north! 80 here today.

Thanks. Sold the wheels the other day so I could get the ones I want on it. That's gonna be a surprise! Never imagined I'd be up this way, but I'm loving it. No humidity. Summers in the 80s and low 90s in the day high 60s low 70s at night. Only thing that really sucks is the wind. Not sure if I'll return to the south unless I got a great job that I like.

[71455Formula]

Your seats turned out great!

Thanks. I appreciate it. They do look great and they are comfy. One of the guys wives did them on here. She did awesome. If I do another set; they'll go to her.

[WSSix]

Thanks. Sold the wheels the other day so I could get the ones I want on it. That's gonna be a surprise! Never imagined I'd be up this way, but I'm loving it. No humidity. Summers in the 80s and low 90s in the day high 60s low 70s at night. Only thing that really sucks is the wind. Not sure if I'll return to the south unless I got a great job that I like.

I lived out in Kansas for a few years after living my whole life in Georgia. The wind was the biggest change for me. It's funny, now that I'm back in Georgia, to hear people comment on how windy a day is when the wind is gusting to only 15 mph. They really have no idea, lol.

[71455Formula]

I lived out in Kansas for a few years after living my whole life in Georgia. The wind was the biggest change for me. It's funny, now that I'm back in Georgia, to hear people comment on how windy a day is when the wind is gusting to only 15 mph. They really have no idea, lol.

Definitely. Here it's 35mph or more is common. Frequently we have winds here that exceed 75mph.

[71455Formula]

The Summit Racing fairy showed up to my house today and left me something.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170223_183720_zps1ydy2hmh.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170223_183720_zps1ydy2hmh.jpg.html)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170223_185331_zpsa45psyyv.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170223_185331_zpsa45psyyv.jpg.html)

[chichirone]

Build looks like its really coming along. Seats look awesome. Keep the pics and updates coming.

[71455Formula]

Thanks chichirone. I'm coming down the home stretch.

Got off work early today, so I got a few things done. Finally got the rear seat done. That was a fun chore to get them covered and installed, but they look good. Not a big empty spot anymore. Got the dash panel installed with the trim rings too. Looks awesome. Thanks Rcombs. Also spent most of the afternoon getting the left front spring swapped out. Tomorrow I'll be getting the other side done. Got the trans installed last weekend. I'll probably be ordering the rims sometime next week. Might even have electrical about done too, but that is the most dreaded part of a restoration.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170301_184928_zpsnapsnb5w.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170301_184928_zpsnapsnb5w.jpg.html)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170305_191630_zpsdjlgdvfz.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170305_191630_zpsdjlgdvfz.jpg.html)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170303_195700_zps94ylooep.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170303_195700_zps94ylooep.jpg.html)

[71455Formula]

Teaser pic till tomorrow.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/Mobile%20Uploads/20170317_132819_zpsaxolo2w0.jpeg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20170317_132819_zpsaxolo2w0.jpeg.html)

[71455Formula]

Finally back on the ground and ended up sitting perfect. Wheel gaps are great. The rims really stand out on the car. 17x9.5's. with 275/40/17 all the way around.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170318_161914_RichtoneHDR_zpsvxzqb3j9.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170318_161914_RichtoneHDR_zpsvxzqb3j9.jpg.html)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/muddy19/20170318_182457_zpsuk90w8th.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/muddy19/media/20170318_182457_zpsuk90w8th.jpg.html)

[71455Formula]

Hey yall. I know it's been a very long time for me to update my car. I got the exhaust done on the car. Very similar to the optional 69 Z/28 exhaust system. Sounds really good and dirty. Might put a pair of resonator's on it to tone it down from the drone that it has. Here's some pics of the system.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gXkUIPOmJaXMTqIK2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kUpJvub87TQ8X12E2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/z7prMSJfzcNyNSat2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QN5babvrPId3shKz2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wwda10Q631Reb6TU2


I have been driving the car around town and enjoying the car. Converted the car to EFI with FiTech. Was working on tuning the timing control before I deployed. Converted the HEI to be able to be controlled by the FiTech. Works really good. I think I advance the timing a little much, so when I get back I'll be starting back at 0 on the timing.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B7Y6iy5DmCenucy42

[WSSix]

nice work. I'm glad you've been able to put some miles on the car.