Got the Trans Am running again

Kinja'd!!! "Bandit" (2bandit)
05/20/2014 at 15:32 • Filed to: Emma

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Came home from school and played with the timing and idle speed a bit more, and last night I fixed a decent sized vac leak. It seemed to have worked because I just drove the car around the block. Something is sketchy still though as it lunges when idling so something is still off. Also, since the car was a brick for a while, I finally got around to making my steering wheel match.


DISCUSSION (23)


Kinja'd!!! mr_gofast > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 15:34

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awesome!!! it feels good to see it moving :)


Kinja'd!!! Brian Silvestro > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 15:36

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Kinja'd!!! JR1 > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 15:42

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Good stuff man. Congrats. I know everyones favorite feature is the screaming chicken. That being said I do love the dash on these cars. Machined metal!


Kinja'd!!! Imirrelephant > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 15:43

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I love the Tach angle on these. Even with the redline @ 5K (because, Pontiac) it makes it feel more dramatic.


Kinja'd!!! oldestyoungn > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 15:44

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Aren't you in the Bham, AL area? If so do you plan on goin' to the Cars and Coffee sometime?


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 15:56

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Is it really idling at 400 RPM?

Vacuum advance hooked up?


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > crowmolly
05/20/2014 at 16:27

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Oh gosh no, the ignition was off and that's where the tach needle rest.


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > oldestyoungn
05/20/2014 at 16:28

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That would be quite a drive as I live in Indiana :D


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > Imirrelephant
05/20/2014 at 16:31

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At 4k it sounds like all hell is breaking loose! I love the gauges in the car. These are gauges from a 78 (100mph speedo and classier font) car, I have an 81 (85mph speedo).


Kinja'd!!! oldestyoungn > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 16:32

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Dangit I can't find this one guy long ago who owns a Black Trans Am, needed to fix it, and actually lives near me.

Thanks anyways, and yes... it'd be quite the drive. Maybe you'll bless those in your area with an appearance?


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 16:34

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Ha ha. I was thinking one of two things:

1.) That's where the tach rested

OR

2.) You should pat yourself on the back for getting a 400 Poncho to stay running at 400RPM.


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > crowmolly
05/20/2014 at 16:35

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It is idling around 1000 in park and 750 in gear. I'd like to get it just a tad lower though.


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 16:36

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Not bad though. What's your initial timing at?


Kinja'd!!! un-hipster > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 16:53

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That takes me back, I bought a new WS6 T/A in 78, no hood bird, black with saddle interior. I had it a year, the garage had it 3-4 months :(


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > crowmolly
05/20/2014 at 17:11

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What's that? I think the light said it was at 14 or so but I don't trust my marks.


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > oldestyoungn
05/20/2014 at 17:14

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Nearest C&C is an hour south if me in Indianapolis but before I started the exterior restoration and engine swap it was my DD. It will be once again.


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > un-hipster
05/20/2014 at 17:16

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What I would give for an unmolested rust free Trans Am... The car is close to twice as old as me and in that time has been messed with by 5 other owners.


Kinja'd!!! The Compromiser > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 17:55

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Thermostat sticking?


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > The Compromiser
05/20/2014 at 18:09

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It was broken so I removed it a few days ago.


Kinja'd!!! The Compromiser > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 18:12

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could lead to not idling off fast.


Kinja'd!!! oldestyoungn > Bandit
05/20/2014 at 18:46

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Ahh. How's exterior look?


Kinja'd!!! Imirrelephant > Bandit
05/21/2014 at 08:09

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I'm sure you posted it at some point, but what engine/trans combo does it have? A buddy of mine has a '73 (I think) 455SD. His dad bought it new. I love the second gen Trans Am!


Kinja'd!!! Bandit > Imirrelephant
05/21/2014 at 20:14

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A lightly built Pontiac 400 mated to a 700r4 out of a 90s Caprice wagon.