My '74

That's a sweet looking 74, the black paint was a good choice. I always liked the white interior with a black dashpad and carpet. Is the 455 stock? I have a 76 455 4 speed T/A but it's changed a bit over the years. 455 birds are getting rare these days so it's nice to see one in such good shape.

Dave

Nice. That's 20 year old paint on there?! Wow! That's nicer paint than my 01 TA.

Ray

Thanks Dave, I appreciate the comments. Yes, the 455 is stock. The only mods I have are Hooker Comp headers and a flowmaster exhaust system. The engine has never been opened up. Even the carpet is original. Just a slight wear hole where my left foot rests against the well. Would you believe I traded a '74 Pinto station wagon straight across for this car in

1980? I was in the Air Force at Clark Air Base in the Philippines at the time. This car has been to Japan, The Philippines and back again, none the worse for the traveling.

Very sharp!

Thanks. Yes, over 21 years old. I stripped it to bare metal, then primered and eight coats of black laquer, and 8 coats of clear. Wet sanded with 800, then 1500, then polished out. I put less than 500 miles a year on it, (hard miles ;), the 455 NEEDS to be driven ), and it is always covered in the garage. My wife did put a ding in the drivers door with her car door. I still won't let her forget about it!

I should have added it is also all numbers matching when I said all original mechanical. Thanks for all the positive comments!

You didn't used to go by the name "HoDad" in here? There was a guy around here that had a simular story about a 74 Trans Am.

You think thats bad? The previous owner of my '73 T/A backed the passenger side quarter panel into a tree!

Yeah, that is me! I changed my name for another group, but didn't change it back for this one. I'm not trying to be sneaky or anything. I've had a chat or two in the past with you. I don't post very often, but read the group daily.

HoDad? I was going through the computer a few weeks ago and found a file called HoDad, some stuff I sent you a long time ago. I didn't open the file and I can't remember what it was for. Damn my memory is about shot but good to hear from you again.

I pulled the 75 455 out of the T/A and have a 463 in progress. It should be interesting when it all goes back together.

Dave

Wow! A 463! Is that just bored out or are you doing anything else special to it? I would be interested in the details. I am considering pulling my engine out next summer to detail the engine compartment, and maybe replace engine bearings and check the heads out while I'm at it. Some fresh paint and new hoses, etc. It's not something I'm looking forward to doing, but would give me continued peace of mind about my engine, and clean up a long neglected engine bay.

Ouch! At least you saved it from more careless destruction! Kind of seems like any damage to our babies hurts more than if it was done to our own bodies, doesn't it? I'm changing my screen name back to HoDad, since my friends in here recognize that name, even though I don't often post. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Typically when an engine is "rebuilt" the cylinders are bored out.030 thousands making a 455 into a 462. Technically my '71 is a 462 H.O. now.

And maybe get rid of that 5 quart oil pan? :-)

I'd put in a RA/HO "068" camshaft while you're at it. Its still a factory cam so it won't cause low vacuum or driveablity problems but it definately will boost the engine nicely. Installing a factory 3/4-length windage tray wouldn't be a bad idea either. Those two items should be good for close to

40HP and nobody would ever no the difference.

If you can find some heads in the 95cc range, swap out your 455 4Xs and you will be amazed at the power increase. 96s, 7K3s, or 6X-8s or maybe a set of

400 4X heads (-3a or -7s IIRC) would work but check the chamber volumes to be sure. Shoot for low 9s compression and you will still be able to run pump gas. If you want to spend a bit more money, bump the cam up to a 230-340 duration range, add a set of Hedman 28150 headers (I'm pretty sure that's the part number) and a 2 1/2 inch exhaust. That combo on a 455 is usually good for mid to low 13s in a heavy car. The 3.08 ratio won't help too much but the 455 will have enough torque to yank it off the line with 1.9 to 2.0 60 fts. Shift at 5200 and have some fun. ;^)

A 463 is a .034 over 455 with a standard crank. I want to push this one pretty hard so the poncho short block needs to be stronger than stock. After the block is bored it will be filled and a lifter bore brace installed. The mains will be studded so hopefully the block won't flex. I've had a hard time getting rods so I decided to cut the rod journals to 2.20 so I can run BBC Eagle H beam rods. The pistons are custom SRPs with the pin location adjusted for the rod length and they should be in next week. Once I get all of the rotating parts the shop will deck the block an balance the rotating assembly. I'm running a custom solid roller so oil retrictors will be installed in the lifter bore oil ports. My Edelbrock heads are being ported and milled for 11:1 compression to complement the cam. I need to install an electric fuel pump and replace the brake lines while the engine is out. I'll probably pull the power brake booster and go with Wilwood racing pads and a manual cylinder. With all of this I'm going to need a roll cage. The 455 should hold up to shifting at 6500 (the cam is good to 7500) so the 100 shot nitrous jets come out and get replaced with 250 hp jets. I haven't decided on an axle assembly yet but I'm leaning towards a Dana 60. The 4 speed gets replaced with a TKO 650 5 speed. The A/C is still intact so it should be a comfortable cruiser that runs mid to low 11s on the engine.

Today I had to buy a new tow vehicle resulting in a loss of T/A funds so if it gets finished in 4 months I'll be doing good. I want to take the car to Pontiacs in the Park in May so I really need to get back to work on the car.

Dave

I like the black, but I'll bet it was sharp in white with all the graphics and stock wheels! :).

Still a nice car and very good to see one in good shape still rolling. Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 27k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 143k and still going....

The Sneed spilled my beer when they jumped on the table and proclaimed in

Looks good, man.

NOI

That sounds like a pretty impressive engine you are putting together, Dave. I guess we can expect to see you in the Pontiac magazines this Spring. I think I have access to some '69 RA3 heads. Would these work on my '74? Don't know the casting numbers for sure, but will try to check on them in the next week or two. A friend of mine has a '69 TA that had a couple of stripped exhaust bolt holes in the drivers side head, so he bought a couple of correct replacement heads off ebay for his car. Said the ones he took off are mine if I want them. I've already got headers and the FlowMaster 2

1/2" dual exhaust system with crossover on the car. Since I'll have the engine opened up, a new cam is only logical. I'm on a kind of strict budget, so I can't get too carried away. ;) HD

Ahh, so you do remember me Dennis! Yeah, and that is part of the reason I want to inspect the motor. When I overfilled the crankcase, I had that loud knocking that went away when I slowed to 60. Most likely a deflated lifter. It's been two years and about 750 miles, and I haven't noticed any problems. But I still have that nagging feeling that something must have been hurt a little. It couldn't have been good for it. So new bearings, and the cam you suggest sounds good. Dave suggested older heads, and if the '69 RA3 heads I have access to will work, that should be a good combo. Also the correct 6 qt pan! HD

Yes, I'll bet it was sharp in white also, but I never got to see it that way. Maybe in 10 years when I retire, I will return it to it's original color. But that's gonna be a whole hell of a lot of work, and I don't have the time for it anytime soon. So.... Maybe someday! ;) HD