first time on the forum

[Pontiacpower]

Hello everyone. just joined the forum because I recently bought a 1971 lemans. It has the 350/350 and the body is in real good shape. interior is immaculate save for a hole in the leather on the drivers side. I'm new to the game and I was hoping to pickup some tips from you guys that know about these old classics. I just turned 21 and I've got little experience other the stuff I read on the internet. Some of the things that need attention on the old grocery getter is the weather stripping, choke doesn't work, I'm sure it needs to be timed. I tried tackling the weather stripping and ordered a full kit off jc Whitney but after installation the windows still leak when I run a power washer near the top of the window. Also after doing the trunk I found that water will sit in the crease and wont run down the sides and off the car. As for the choke, I was thinking about a carb upgrade. a guy on craigslist is selling a Pontiac 4 barrel intake and a edlebrock 650cfm. The car needs a few extra ponies anyway. For timing, Im waiting on my uncle to hook me up with a timing light, sais he doesn't need it anymore. Ill youth tube that when I get the light. If you guys could give me some knowledge about any issue im experiencing I would really appreciate it. ill post some pics of the car soon. thanks everyone.

 

[melsg5]

for parts try a Pontiac vendor not JC Whitney, www.amesperf.com , www.performanceyears.com to name two.
A 1971 came with ignition points and the dwell angle has to be set before the timing is adjusted.
The intake is a good idea but personally I don't care for the Edelbrock carb if it is the Carter reproduction. If you can find a Quadrajet in good shape that would be the way to go.

 

[Pontiacpower]

for parts try a Pontiac vendor not JC Whitney, www.amesperf.com , www.performanceyears.com to name two.
A 1971 came with ignition points and the dwell angle has to be set before the timing is adjusted.
The intake is a good idea but personally I don't care for the Edelbrock carb if it is the Carter reproduction. If you can find a Quadrajet in good shape that would be the way to go.

Very quick response. I appreciate the input. For the weatherstripping though, did gm use the same stuff on all their cars. If not then I screwed myself out of 120 bucks. I'll try and look for a quadrajet and intake too.

 

[Pontiacpower]

What do you mean by dwell angle? I thought you were supposed to loosen the distributor and turn it based on what the light tells you

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[melsg5]

Points can be set two different ways. Either get the point rubbing block on the high point of the distributor cam and use a feeler gauge or you use a dwell meter which measures the number of rotational degrees the points stay closed. After the point gap is set using one of these two methods you set the timing by turning the distributor.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Welcome aboard! Thank you for signing up!

 

[dheupel]

A few tips: If you plan on ordering several parts, try and ordering them all at once to save on shipping (I could have save a lot if I had followed that advice over the past few years). 2) Get a Fisher Body Service Manual, and Service Repair manual - those can be very helpful. Also, Ames and Performance Years merged, so they are all now under Amesperf.com

 

[Pontiacpower]

Thank you for the info. I'll grab those manuals ASAP. Definately helpful. Lot on my list of to doos this weekend.

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[Pontiacpower]

So I just picked up some parts from a 400. Long tube headers an intake and a 4 barrel carb that needs rebuilt for 100 bucks. I got quadrajet like what you guys recomended. Headers need cleanin up but they aren't cracked anywhere. Is ceramic coating worth my time? and also, ive been searching on craigslist for a set of heads. which ones in particular should I look for. I found a guy who is selling all these head castings. 13-16-62-093-48-96-7k3-4x-6x-8/6x-4-66-77-797-345 Looks like they have been sitting for a while in a barn, they are rusty but he said anywhere from 150$ -450$ is it worth saving some cash or should I save up a couple grand and get some performance heads off butler or summit?