Looks great Bob!

Also, nice save on the lower a arm and clutch. Always good to catch that stuff early.

Dreamin Ta's
 

Bryon,
Satin gunmetal... funny never thought they were the same as yours
was trying to decide for so long back and forth from many pictures etc
Mine do not have a center as I have not run any for many years

Chad,
yes good to find things like the lower a-arm
hopefully I will have that car up and running this weekend

Neither car was runnable so I was a bit cranky the last
couple of weeks:)

Bob

Wheels look great on your car too, Bob!


I know this feeling well. I'm going to miss weekend #3 waiting on clutch parts to arrive for the Ducati. Glad you're back on the road with your cars though. Have fun!

That's the same finish I have, but I think yours are the GA1, correct? Or maybe the WC? I'm not completely sure from the picture. Mine are the GA3 (not the R version). I like them all! :)

BTW, just in case you don't already know this (I didn't), don't use ANYTHING to clean the wheels that is acidic or not safe for paint. I'm going to be sending my centers back to ForgeLine to recoat them soon as apparently I've been using something which damaged the finish. :( I didn't know that was possible with powder coat, but it seems it is. I've been using the same product to clean wheels/tires since I was a kid, but no more...

Car looks great!

Dreamin Tas
 

My wheels are the GZ3r.. yes the race version
for no cap.. they have a little more curve to them

Yes I understand the paints even though powder coated
can't take a lot of strong cleaners.. usually just use windex
on mine or car detailer that I use on the paint

Trey.. thanks.. I know what you mean about having
something down for a while.. need to have at least
one to run around and make some noise or burn the tires off

Heading out to Tues night cruise night shortly

Bob

You guys can use a normal car wax on powder coating. This will help keep the wheels clean. I wouldn't recommend a polish though.

Dreaming Tas
 

Finally got the clutch in the Pantera
Just a few more things to button up
Hardest part was getting the needle pilot
bearing out.. had to cut it up and it chisel out
as my buddies puller just tore it up

Its tough trying to work under the 180's and
in a painted engine bay
Bob

Bob, i changed my side i'd rather have those wheels, i'm sending the simmons back :)

Dreamin Ta's
 

Dale that's funny
My buddy was going to buy one of my Kinesis sets
for his Pantera and then he waited and came back and
said yes.. after looking at the prices of the wheels nowadays
I said I was keeping them.. but the forgelines they are cool

I still like the Simmons but needed to go to more available
rubber for 200 tires along with bigger brakes

Hope they work out for you...they have been a good set of wheels
and they have won a lot of events for me for many years
including championships... so they are a trained set of wheels:)
Should have put that in my original add

Bob

hopefully your success rubs off on my buick, probably gonna try and hit some autocross sessions every now and then with it.

Hey Bob, my dad has an all original 70 t/a, well, actually two of them. But anyway, the engine in one of them is having oiling issues and has had to be rebuilt 4 times in the last year because of spun bearings and other things. It's gotten so bad he had to replace the crank and rods, went ahead and replaced the Pistons while he was at it. Then had to replace the cam so he went with a hyd roller with roller rockers. Is there someone in the Bay Area that you recommend to rebuild the Pontiac motor? He's about had it with the current builder.

Thanks, Bryan

Dreamin Ta's
 

Bryan
Pontiacs do not like hard right hand turns
Oil goes off the pickup and they starve and
Then you have spun bearings. Have done 9 motors
In my cars because of this issue. I have tried many
oil pans and none have seemed to solve the issue
Stef's could build one that I think would work

Sounds like dad spins them hard and leans on them
I found that a sump accumulator is the only real solution
He could use a canton road race pan and run an extra quart
But if he crosses or tracks it I know it won't last

My builder specializes in pontiacs. Victory machine 408 266-7570
ask for Vic and tell him Bob Benson sent you. No kickbacks but
When I send someone he knows they don't baby the motor

If dad wants to talk some more to me he can call my cell 408 209-7677
Would love to see and talk Ta's with him

Bob

Thanks Bob. My dad is quite the opposite. 75 years old, and just wants to drive the darn thing. He stopped driving cars hard when he rolled his triumph at riverside back in the 70's. I'll be sure to pass your number along though, so he might be giving you a call.

Dreamin Ta's
 

Bryan
I met the guy who bought my Pantera originally a few years
back. He was 82 and Autocrossing up at candlestick
The course was poorly marked and he had his second Dnf
He was so pissed he headed right for the trailer to load the car up
He was spinning the wheels going up the ramps!!

I went home and told my wife I hope I am that energetic when
I turn 82. I just smile when I think of that day
Sorry to say he recently passed

Bob

Dreamin Ta's
 

Been prepping the Bird for this weekends autocross at Marina
running Hoosier R7s out back and Bridgestones out front
Rear tires actually got me a ticket last night along with sound
Lady cop called them Bald tires..did not want to tell her they
were brand new... Rival s tires will be ordered next week but then
I will jump classes as it looks like I can only come up with second
overall in the points unless the first place guy breaks or is not there

Bob

Good luck, Bob! The new wheels look killer. You shouldn't have taken that ticket :shakehead:

Funny Trey! I'm sure she would've let dot-R slide :lol:

Bird looks great Bob :thumbsup:

Bob,

Cool lookin' Bird. :thumbsup:

Dreaming Tas
 

So Saturday with the weird tire combo the car stuck like crazy
I am convinced the Bridgestone works.. so Rival S out back next

Problem is I broke the car just before the finish line on the second run
We lowered the car recently and one of the U-bolts loosened and the
rear pulled backwards, spinning the car and damaging the rear Quarter
Also popped the drive shaft out of the trans.. we pushed it off
reinstalled the drive line.. tightened things up but need to align it and
reinstall the sway bar.... then bang the fender back and give it
a little body work... need to do paint this winter with the new hood
and nose so will deal with it then...

Still won with only one run but they must have lost my time
as it shows no runs that day

Went home loaded up the Pantera and ran it Sunday
Car was great and won my class by over 1 second

Heading to Cam t next

Bob

Oh man, that sucks the car got damaged. Glad it wasn't worse. I've upgraded my car to 1/2" u-bolts and now run two per side instead of the one per it left the factory with.

Wow, really sorry to hear that! I worry about that sort of thing happening after the major work we've just finished. We plan to do a full bolt check after driving for a bit later today (hopefully). Definitely before I hit the road Wednesday!

Dreamin Ta's
 

I call it racing but I think I could have
avoided it if I watched things more closely
They get tightened up pretty good but with
the spacer and wedge I could see where something
may have moved...

Good luck.. your system is a lot more exotic
than my base model leaf springs:)

Bob

Dreamin Ta's
 

Decided to take a couple of pictures
out at the Autocross the other day with
the backup car and pushed the setting on
the I phone camera and Black and White

Bob

I love that car!!!!!! You have good taste in cars. :)

The black & white photo looks killer Bob. :thumbsup:

Next time move the trailer....



Great photo and love the black and white

Dreamin Tas
 

Finally got to bend out the fender damage
and look at the tire... shortest life as a tire
for me.. one ticket for being bald (race tire on the street)
and less than two autocross runs... ordering up a new one today
as this tire is actually for Pantera to run at Laguna in a few weeks

Bob

Dreamin Ta's
 

Fixed the rear end.. double nutted now, tightened trans
bolts and some other things loosening up.. need to keep
track of things even though not much time on the car

Have the new Rival S tires out back... went up to 335's
So now I am in CAM T Class and will be doing my first
run in this Class at Crows Landing this Weekend... going
Gto hunting.. he is leading the class....loaded up and ready to go

Bob

Have fun out there, Crows Landing looks like a GREAT place to autocross on.

Dreamin Ta's
 

Lance any day running the car is good
Crows is a fun place and with the American Autocross
boys they open things up a bunch so you can really
get on it.. last time is was a series of slaloms and you
could really work on them.. turn then hit one, turn and hit
another one.. you get good at them after a while

Still learning my Firebird so seat time is the best
Might have some rain tomorrow... I call it the great
equalizer

Bob

Good luck tomorrow! Steve and I are going to a local auto-x that has THREE CAM-T cars! I think it's the first time I'll attend one that has more than 1, so I'm pretty excited. :)

What size front tire are you running again? That tire looks pretty far out compared to the fender. I've probably asked before, sorry if so...

Love this car. Surprise surprise. ;)

Dreamin Ta's
 

Tires up front are 275-18"...Bridgestone re-71rs
Might go to a 315 out front if I decide to do some
fender work... need to fix the back corner now,
have a new glass hood, and will also do a glass nose
to get the weight off the front.. like 100lbs so will
do the paint fixing then

I think we will have at least 4 in Cam T class... one
of them may be Mary Pozzi.. she is really fast as we
all know.. something to strive for

Good luck tomorrow and have fun as even though we
are competitive its all about having fun

Bob

Have fun Bob!

Dreamin Ta's
 

So last weekends autocross was not so good for me
American Autocross boys like big tracks and gearing
and motor not really right in the Firebird.... brought the
Backup Car-Pantera and did a lot better Sunday but that is not
my Autocross car

Decided to make a big change and get rid of the 494 Mr-1 Pontiac
motor and go to a small block stroker that I can rev to the moon
Really don't want to go Ls because of all the injection, computers,
sensors, oiling,etc.. so probably a Dart iron block with alum heads
Was thinking about an old race car motor and detune slightly
but my engine builder pointed out they are already worn and
when it is time to freshen they are mostly done

So in the process the plan will be to take 200 lbs in motor off
the front plus a glass hood, glass nose, inner fenders out etc
so my guess is close to 350 lbs off the front of the car and
at the same time lets move the engine back

Need to sell the old motor- (my engine builder knows someone)
then start my new plan

Just finally got this car running good and decided that I cannot
spin it like my old CR 500 dirt bike...or my old Z28 so starting over again
I think it is a sickness.. but can't wait to get this going.. this will be motor 10
in the car but at least I did not blow this one up:)
Spin till you win!

Bob

Sickness pretty much describes it, Bob. Without it, what would healthy people have to be jealous of?:bang:

Bob,

Sorry to hear you had troubles, but it sounds like you have a nice plan going forward! And I totally understand the 'sickness', I can't seem to leave well enough alone myself. :)

Have fun with it!

Dreamin Ta's
 

Bryan,rustomatic,
Yes both of you have the same sickness
It is a good thing

I call it hot Rodding

Bob

440?
 

What about a Pontiac 440cid stroker? 4.185 bore x 4.00 stroke makes for some good power and torque and revs like a small block!

Dreamin Tas
 

Not sure that a 440 will come close.. I did one and it had
other issues but the rev was still only 6500.. I am spinning
the 495 to 6600 now with forged rods, crank, MR-1 block
splayed caps etc.. No one will tell me 8000 will work and live

Plus oiling is still marginal in the heavy turns
So winston cup tech.. knife edge crank, forged this and that
Just need to decide on cubic inches.. do I to a 358 or go smaller
or bigger

I am also trying to get the weight off the front of the car
and the MR-1 block is cool but very heavy with lifter bore
braces, caps etc.. it can go 545 inches

Bob

Carbed LS setup with an external / aftermarket dry-sump (Dailey, A.R.E.). You get the benefit of the aluminum block, you can build any bore/stroke combination you want, and you resolve the oiling issues with the dry-sump. You get rid of most of the sensors with the carb, but you do still have to run something to drive the coils (unless you do a timing-cover distributor conversion).

Do it! :)