Going to look at an alleged 71 stage 1 locally. Other than the carb, dist , valve cover numbers what are you suggestions for ID. It is an H car but especially in 71 that does not mean much except a lot more were made in Flint. I suppose it would have a BB tranny in 71 too. What else?. Since it is an AC car it would automatically have a 7 bladed fan stage 1 or not. No paperwork of course.
Should have mentioned that. I ask them to look over the phone and they said nothing there. In my experience it goes away with resurfacing on a 70 which is where most of my experience lies. You say on a 71 it is only in the same location as a 70 and not on the front? I asked them how they knew it was a stage one and they said that was easy it was written on the aluminum intake manifold! (I do not think he is trying to be deceptive, he is just uninformed.)
I've been going through this since I bought my 71 GS convert. There are ways of confirming the car was a 455 but I haven't found anyway of confirming if a car was a stage 1. I think there are a lot more Stage 1's out there than were built though, so be careful! Harvey
Jim- I wanted to offer that I believe "Stage 1" fuel pump is considered the one with the deeper well on the bottom. My car is NOT a Stage 1, yet the original pump was the "Stage 1", so don't include that on your list of items to look at. Must have been a conversion at some point to use this pump exclusively.
If it is a Stage 1 it must have PDBrakes and a 3.42 posi rear.Also on the steering column lower part the column shaft has a bolt through it and is not pressed on like a 350 car. THe TS on the block should be visable in the back space toward the firewall on the driver side of the head. Also check the vin# to the block! I think that number is behind the PS pump though, not sure. I looked at a 71 Stage 1 recently and you could see the TS plain as day! Also the carb #7041241 I think! ALso check out the valve cover #'s. But you have to realize all this stuff could be purchased! 71's are hard to prove with out the documentation! ou:
There's a great pic of the vin location second to the last post in this thread, thanks to Dan Healey. :TU: BTW, the code for the non-stage is TR.
Thanks to all for the assist . If there is a pdb requirement I did no know it but it has them plus all options including cruise. Valve covers and the carb have been changed so there is no help there. Knew about the big block indicia of the coupling. Supposedly no TS marking or any other because of decking.
I read somewhere that the deck numbers may be raised using acid, similar to guns whose numbers were ground off. Could be bs, but you never know!
Jim, The only aluminum manifold that says Stage1 is the TA Performance 350 manifold. Are you sure this guy knows a 350 from a 455? Ask him how many valvecover bolts it has. The transmission tag should have BB stamped into it even if the paint is gone on the tag.
Stage Distributor?? 1112016, Oh the carb sould have been 7041242, not "1" at the end. The stage cars did get the same pulleys, 7 blade fan, just like the A/C cars versions whether it got A/C or not. Look at the old decals, see if there is a stage 1 ref. So far, sounds like it only has a TA "Stage 1" intake. ou: I forgot, look to see if the P-O-P is still in the glove box! That will tell you the engine, trans, rear....:Smarty: :3gears: One last point (and I think MOST important), check ALL the DATE codes of all parts that are stage 1 specific, and note the Fischer Build date on the firewall. I think it is reasonable to expect all date codes be prior to the Fischer code, or 1-2 wks after at most.:Smarty: :Smarty:
In addition to my S1 having an OW trans, the axle tube is missing the identifying code. It is, however, a 3.42. I completely gutted the car and found no documentation. (bummer).
Looked at this car this morning. Code 75A but now fire red all over. TA Al intake with a GS 350 ram air on top so the hood will shut. Dist. and carb. has been changed. No code could be seen on the deck . Engine is a 455 with tube headers.. Stage One emblems in place on the fenders and a GS grille is in place. Vin reflects it is at least a GS. Coupling suggest a big block so the question remain is it a Stage one. Options incliude auto trans with buckets and console, tach, cruise, pdb. Core support toast and the lip of both inner fenders. Paint is an 8 and the white interior could be touched up and made pretty nice. A small rust bubble appears on the drivers bottom door at the front. Asking price is 18K. Cannot say it is or is not a stage 1. It was represented to the current owner that is was perhaps on the strength of the emblems and stage 1 on the intake.
I recommend he put it on EBAY! To try to get Top dollar, because it doesn't sound like a good deal. Did you check the trans I.D. plate? I assume no P-O-P in the box.:ball: There is no evidence of stage 1, beside the fender emblems. Did you look to see if the emblems were the narrow pin design? That may tell the story...:eek2: Gee, it may not even have stage 1 valves in the head, with no easy way to tell. You could try taking off a valve cover (or two), and note the casting date of the heads and verify they are 71 heads and not made after the car was built!:Smarty: uzzled: Or did you already throw in the towel?o No:
! more thing.... Why would there be MORE hood clearence with a 350 ram air cleaner? Was the 455 decal that much thicker???:laugh:
Never had a GS 350 but I thought the height of the cleaner is less. Never put a measuring stick to one and compared them but to the eye it looked as if it had less height. And no, no decals of any kind were present. Did not see a tranny plate. I took a sample wide pin emblem and on his one end has no stud so I would say narrow pin. Hard to see looking in the crack. No paperwork or POP. The guy has a lot of cars and is motivated. I needed to come up with another plan. I asked him to brush off the paint on the deck and use some spray to try to bring out the TS code if it is there and call me. He owns a big repair shop so he has a lot of help to get this done.
AAHhhhhhh The aircleaners are the SAME, the 455 engine is taller, wider & longer than the 350. :Smarty: The ONLY difference between a 455 & 350 cleaner is the decal!ou: The 350 aircleaner is from another car. Slim chance (if any) that it is a factory stage IMHO.:ball:
I have never seen a hood you could shut with an Al intake and stock seal plates except for a B4B. This is a TA intake I think that does say "Stage one " up front. The hood does appear to close . There are no labels on the cleaner ---no GS 350, GS455 or stage 1.
