Hey guys, haven't posted since I sold my 91' Firebird, but I found an 87' Formula that I just might buy to get back in the game with. The guy wants $600, he said the motor was swapped out for a Pontiac v8, but by looking at the plugs (location), I'd say not. Only problem is, I don't know what size the motor is. By looking at the VIN, I saw that it is supposed to be a 305 4 bbl car, motor/ heads were painted black so I might not be able to get the engine code off the block. The car has an Edelbrock intake manifold and a Holley 4 bbl carb (don't know what size or anything, guessing in the 600 cfm range, got some numbers off it if anyone can help with that?) so it could very well be a dressed up 305. Motor is supposedly rebuilt, not sure if it's cammed, but there's a "Cam Dynamics" sticker on the firewall (never heard of em) and it has a new chrome timing cover. The car obviously needs a paint job (and a heater core), but the underside is surprisingly very clean. Anyways, I had the opportunity to run it and I can hear some sort of knock, not high pitched. I got a video clip showing the car running, had to keep pedaling it in one part because the idle wasn't set and the carb needs adjustment (car has been sitting for about a year, bought it for his son, but he wanted something newer and with a 4cyl). I know this is the gen tech section, but does the car sound like it's worth $600? I was hoping someone might be able to point out what the noise is mainly, would like to know if I should be ready to tear into the motor if I buy. Thanks for any help!!



Link to Vid- http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...=87formula.flv

 

It may have come out of a Pontiac, but it is a small block Chevy. Getting the head casting numbers is easier than getting the block #, but short of disassembling and measuring, the block casting # is the only way to know whether it is a 305 or 350. The last 3 digits of the casting number is often on the side of the block, visible from underneath.

The ticking is probably mis-adjusted rocker arms. Hard to say about the cam, but it doesn't sound exactly stock.

It's probably worth $600. But, that's really your call.

 

my 88 irocz had a BAD!!! KNOCK i paid a lil more then 600. on mine the bodies pretty rusted but its not bad compared to most in ohio. It def. looks like its running rich it blows pretty black when u floor it. Not bad for 600 but you always try and bid lower this is just my opnion and i gave you what i paid to help you make your decision. Whether i overpaid or underpaid who knows.... whats it worth to you is the best question

 

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm pretty interested in it mainly because the underside is clean, and the paint looks pretty rough, but not hard to fix at all. I guess I was more concerned with what that knocking could be, becomes very clear in the video when the camera guy closes the hood and walks down the passenger's side (seems louder at idle). Almost sounds like something fitting the body, but idk. The exhaust didn't really seem to move around when I tried moving it, so I'm leaning more towards some kind of engine noise/ problem and wanted to know what I could expect. I'll probably get the car regardless as it's clean (pretty rare around here for less than 3-4k) and some motor work probably wouldn't worry me too much, would like to just stick with this motor though and put money into a paint job. Thanks again guys, and any more info on what that noise could be would be great, thanks.

 

Alright, I checked on it and the block casting number is "3970010" which after some research is a definite Chevy 350 from somewhere between 1969 and 1979, could be 2 or 4 bolt main. A question that now popped into my head is, will things like a set of third gen headers and Y pipe (like the Hooker 2055's or 2460's) still fit this block?

 

it sounds to me like the exhaust pipe hitting the tunnel. thats the exact same noise mine makes anyways.

 

That's what I thought it could be, can't really check it now though, as there's snow everywhere. Anyone have any idea if third gen parts like headers with their y pipe or third gen spark plugs and wires would still fit this block? Maybe not plugs and wires as they are pretty much universal, but you get the point.

 

somebody correct me if im wrong, but from my knowledge, a smallblock is a smallblock. by this i mean, the smallblocks will all take the same accessories, like header, intakes, starters etc. i think externally, all of those older sbc's are the same. dont quote me on this though as im not all the experienced in these yet.

 

Pretty much. Gen I. small blocks are Gen. I small blocks. From what the original poster was asking, to regards of exhaust components, that's more head related, but again, Gen. I being Gen. I. - they will bolt up just fine, as will the cylinder heads being interchangeable. Plug wires would work, as long as the routing is the same (which would affect the length of the wire).

 

Thanks for the replies guys, I figured they would because I saw the same kind of answer in another thread (not the same topic, it was someone asking if they're tbi engine stuff would work on an older carbed motor, but someone mentioned that they're both Gen 1 sbc's), but I always like to make sure before I spend time/ money on things. As of now I'm going to assume that the noise is probably the exhaust hitting the body, so I'll have to get it in the air when the snow goes away. Thanks for the help everyone, I'll have to post back if this doesn't work.

 

Alright, I had a chance to run the car again yesterday and listened a little closer. The noise sounds more like it's something from inside the motor. A solid knock, not a tick or any other high pitched noise, it definitely sounds like a low pitched solid knock. Any clue on what it could be? I know that's a broad question, but I want to know what I "could" be in for.

 

Well, I was talking to my Uncle tonight and mentioned the noise and he mentioned that it might be the rod bearings, any thoughts on that?

 

For 600$ who cares, buy it, pull the motor check the internals, clearenaces. see whats in the motor. It may have been rebuilt befor. freshen it up or build sumthing else. If you plan on racing or getting alot of power out of the car start fresh. Check valve lash. you can't tell for sure what the noise is soo no use asking people because it's gonna have to be fixed anyway. Look for contact or anything hitting or rubbing on the frame rails and chassis.

 

I already went ahead and bought it with the same thoughts you have. I figured what the heck, underside is awesome, can't go wrong for $600. Can't find em around here for that price, let alone in that good of shape. I mainly asked to get some ideas to find some things I might "expect" to find wrong. Anyways, I'm probably gonna take a closer look at it when the snow clears for anything hitting, then if that yields nothing, I'll take the motor out and check it. I'll probably just get this one running good for now as I kinda want to swap a Pontiac power plant in sooner or later.