Thread: 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula-Update- 5/9/2014

if your unsure how to do it, go to youtube and search how to test a starter, its easy.

So I went ahead and took off , the intake manifold and the valley pan to see how the assembly looked from the top end, I also removed valve covers just to check if any of the rockers where loose.









I am amazed of how clean this thing looks better than the GTP.

I also took out some oil from the pan just to check for any metal or shavings. I didnt see any and the oil wasnt milky at all just black .

Seems like a rebuilt may not be necessary. List for the engine so far will be
-Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
-Holley 700CFM carb
- ARP bolts for connecting rods
- New Timing Cover
- Comp Cams XE268h kit http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Code=K51-223-4
Other than that I will leave the stock heads , 4x-3h with have low compression but the cam im choosing works great for that . Should be a fun build.

what a deal. thats spot less really. a bit of rust under the gaskets, but inside clearly stayed nice and dry and was well taken care of. ive never seen a used early 70's engine look that clean.

edit, thats old cork gasket stuck to the heads, even better. lol

A 700 cfm is probably to much carb for that motor. I'd do a 600 edelbrock if i were you.

i had like a 850 on my 400. quadra bog. it found its way out the back door of the parts store my friend worked at lol. engine loved it.

It's a common misconception that a bigger carb is always better. I had a 600 on my 5.0L el camino and it was way to much carb for that motor. I'm sure you didn't have a wideband on there to see how much you engine loved it though. I'll bet your car would have been faster with a smaller carb.

Originally Posted by dsmuts

It's a common misconception that a bigger carb is always better. I had a 600 on my 5.0L el camino and it was way to much carb for that motor. I'm sure you didn't have a wideband on there to see how much you engine loved it though. I'll bet your car would have been faster with a smaller carb.

Totally different engine though . A Pontiac 400 is not the same as a Chevy 400 . The quadrajets used in Pontiac 400 where rated from 700-850 cfm

being the old one was dying and it was a 6.6 it felt tons better. broke the tires free with out a second thought, no bog or nothing.

other then what you'd expect to hear from a quardra bog carb with the air filter flipped. lol

Originally Posted by 97gtpjoe

Totally different engine though . A Pontiac 400 is not the same as a Chevy 400 . The quadrajets used in Pontiac 400 where rated from 700-850 cfm

I know the motors are completely different. The 5.0 is a 305

Your lucky to live out there in AZ, you can find old cars in very nice shape for great prices. Up here in the N.E. everything gets rotted out to ****. Finding a good solid car around here is almost impossible unless your willing to spend some money. I mean there are some good cars around but there rare and no body wanted to sell them usually. I know out there you guys probably never seen rust like us lol. We get alot of parts from DVAP and they come in with no rot and all the seems are nice and original usually. The only thing is you have to get out all the sand/dust and dirt thats in them parts cause if you dont the moisture from the air around here gets in there and just rots out all the seams and edges and ruins the parts.

Originally Posted by gtpeddie

Your lucky to live out there in AZ, you can find old cars in very nice shape for great prices. Up here in the N.E. everything gets rotted out to ****. Finding a good solid car around here is almost impossible unless your willing to spend some money. I mean there are some good cars around but there rare and no body wanted to sell them usually. I know out there you guys probably never seen rust like us lol. We get alot of parts from DVAP and they come in with no rot and all the seems are nice and original usually. The only thing is you have to get out all the sand/dust and dirt thats in them parts cause if you dont the moisture from the air around here gets in there and just rots out all the seams and edges and ruins the parts.

Yes, we are lucky to live here in the desert. There is a lot of good deals that come by and its always good to act fast and get them . I lucked out with this car ,I just came back from taking parts from another firebird the guy who sold me the car has. All molding pieces plus some a/c duct work for $40 . Im happy. Ill be picking the radiator support plus the radiator from him this weekend which he sold for $20 . He also owns another 1977 T/A and a 1967 Firebird (jealous) , both with the Pontiac 455 .

So got off work and a Pick a Part was conveniently place 1 block away from where im working, I went in there and walked out with a passenger side fender with wheel well rust free plus 2 turn signal bezels for $50 not bad for today. The only damaged the Formula has is that fender I just bought so woop woop no more car damage .

Update-

Ordered some goodies:

ARP-100-9909 ASSEMBLY LUBRICANT

ARP-190-6001 CON ROD BOLT KIT

CCA-CL12-238-2 CL KIT

SUM-350111 2" X 50 FT EXHAUST WRAP TAN

SUM-G9020 HEADER



ANI-2374 TRANS MOUNT

CRT-M6122 FUEL PUMP

EDL-7812 TIMING SET PONT 287-455 55-82

FEL-KS2616 PONTIAC GASKET SET 68-71 400

FLX-1318 FAN STAINLESS STEEL

FSS-84844 WATER OUTLET

GMB-130-1280 WATER PUMP

HHT-CB14 EMISS FLTR

KNN-CE-1502 CHEVY CHROME TOP

MRG-4364 PERFORMANCE THERMOSTAT GM-180

SNN-10066 FILLER CAP

WIX-33003 FUEL FILTR

Doing a "mild" build with a here arte the cam specs;


Brand: COMP Cams
Manufacturer's Part Number: CL12-238-2
Part Type: Camshaft and Lifter Kits
Product Line: COMP Cams Xtreme Energy Cam and Lifter Kits
Summit Racing Part Number: CCA-CL12-238-2

UPC: 036584024262
Cam Style: Hydraulic flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,300-5,600
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 218
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 224
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 218 int./224 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 262
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 270
Advertised Duration: 262 int./270 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.462 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.469 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.462 int./0.469 exh.
Lobe Separation (degrees): 110
Grind Number: CB XE262H-10
Computer-Controlled Compatible: No
Lifters Included: Yes
Lifter Style: Hydraulic flat tappet
Valve Springs Included: No
Retainers Included: No
Locks Included: No
Valve Stem Seals Included: No
Timing Chain and Gears Included: No
Assembly Lubricant Included: Yes
Pushrods Included: No
Rocker Arms Included: No
Gaskets Included: No
Valve Springs Required: Yes

Was recommended due to heads being 8.5 -8.8 compression and I want a all around good cam for street performance.

Everything else will be stock on engine including the cast iron intake , im also using the 600 CFM holley carburetor .

eww holley

Originally Posted by dsmuts

eww holley

Got it for $20plus $25 for the rebuilt kit so why not :-)

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I'm just an edlebrock guy myself

you like the qudrajets then?

Originally Posted by ericspecullaas

you like the qudrajets then?

those carbs get a bad rep, but for what they are they aint all that bad. they got small primary's so around town light on the gas its sipping. but the secondary's are huge and dump fuel like a pig, thats the bog part.

oh yeah also too edelbrock are qudrajets just an off version of them. i read up on them when i had to tune one so now i know how to adjust them im set for life on all old carb setups.

Im probably going with a Demon carb down the road