Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
All the necessary work – body repair, engine and transmission overhaul, paint finish – has been performed by JSK Custom Paint and Auto Works on the 1970 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350 that suffered an engine fire in July 2022. The car’s owner Ferdi Raquelsantos decided on a vibrant color of Plum Crazy Purple, which was generously applied after all the rusted portions were replaced and the metal surfaces have been carefully and meticulously prepared. Even the hood, which a hole was cut for the bug catcher-style hood scoop has been painted and ready for installation.
The Firebird’s Plum Crazy Purple paint has already been applied and was being wet-sanded when we took this photo.
While the body was being painted, the JSK mechanics overhauled the 5.7-liter Pontiac 350 V8, replaced the burned-out or damaged components, and installed a new high-rise intake manifold, Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor, and high-energy ignition (HEI) distributor. The rebuilt engine, which is estimated to produce more than the stock 255 horsepower will be mated to the newly-overhauled Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 3-speed automatic transmission, and connected to the radiator that has been rebuilt by Roberts AIPMC to like-new condition. It’s finally time to reassemble the Ferdibird, as we jokingly christened this project car.
After the paint work and most reassembly was done, the Pontiac 350 V8 and TH-350 A/T, along with the new mounting components were test-fitted. The bug catcher hood scoop was temporarily installed to see how it fits against the hole in the hood.
The hood scoop was mounted on the right height – it peeks through the hood without obstructing the driver’s view of the road ahead.
Once the test-fittings and measurements were done, the electrical components and rubber hoses were attached.
Photo shows the new Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor, high-rise manifold, HEI ignition distributor, and plug wires. The Edelbrock finned valve covers were reused but were incorrectly mounted upside-down during the initial installation.
The mechanics installed a new Amaron battery, adjusted the ignition timing, and the proceeded to start the 5.7-liter V8 engine.
After they got the engine running and idling smoothly, the mechanics bled the brakes on all four wheels. However, the right front tire kept losing air and needed to be fixed or replaced.
The finished engine bay looked great. It’s what every gearhead would like to see under his or her muscle car.