Firebird Formula First Start in Years! 

Great video! The king of first starts strikes again. I really like the paint scheme on that ol`girl!

The story of this old bird getting brought back to life and then having a happy rip through the snow was better than anything Hollywood has made in the last ten years.

One of the best looking car fronts ever.

I don't have anything against the venerable 350. I have installed, worked on them, re-built them, etc.,etc., but what that car needs is a HO 455 and you will have a screamer. In 1975 I had a 71 with a 455 in it and 4-speed. One time I was cruising at 60 mph in 4th gear and all I did was punch the car and it started smoking both rear tires as it shot up in speed over 100 mph in just seconds. It was absolutely the most powerful feeling car I ever had. I wish I would have been able to keep it, but youth and youthful ideas are most of the time done without much real deep thought about what you are doing. It mostly was about what you wanted at the time. I miss that car a lot.

Hey Mr. Digs. Just wanted to let you know your vids really help me feel better. Mom had to go the the hospital for the 3rd time this month today, and these videos really take my mind off of it. Thank you brother. Edit** it's been a week, and momma is still in the hospital. I graduate on Friday, and she's been there for every single first day and last. She won't get to make it to the one thing she's been fighting with me for. 12 years of agony and long nights, and she isn't gonna be there guys. I'm really discouraged, and don't really know if I want to graduate anymore.

Take your time with this one. Stabilize the body, work on the chassis, electrical and interior as time and money allow. But budget for a Pontiac 455 when you find one! Man, she'll be a keeper!

Who’s here watching 3 years later?! I’m scanning my way through the library for any I might have missed! Thank you JYD!

WOW, my first car! 1973 Firebird Formula 400 w/350 Turbo trans. Passed it on to my brother when I bought a new one and he outran the the local police a bunch of times before losing his license. He sold it after it sat a while, but it was still in great shape - just really drank gas. Mine had the same hood scoops - non-functioning because they not been knocked out. It could have been made functional, but never got around to it. Yours has seen better days.

My 1st car was a "74 Pontiac Firebird. Paid $400. for it in 1975. Great little car.

that fire bird is a prime candidate for a full restore !!!

One of my wife's car as a teen. I grew up with big block buddies and had a few of my own. What I learned is they create crap loads of carbon build up on everything exposed to combustion. A regular long cruise while adding top end cleaner every time you shut the hot engine off does wonders. Choke it out with the cleaner, have some lunch and do it over again until the valves shine. Then keep a crap load of fuel additive in the tank for a while. After that it's up to you on things. Gasoline these days really doesn't have a lot of umph, you can get creative on a cleaner burn. Cheers! great video and congrats on your dream car. You manifested it, Been there done that. No other feeling like having a dream car or cars....YAY!

I am 57 don’t have money or time to do that kind of stuff anymore.But getting to watch you guys and the other ones is the next best thing.But I am getting to slowly rebuild my 1997 bmw convertible which is fun

Nice Bird, dude. I just picked up a '73 Amx Javelin, around the same condition as your bird. Got it running the other day, the 360 ran smooth and the 4 speed works. Love doing this stuff.

I know this is a month or two late but I personally share a love for these cars as well. I think this ole gal needs a full resto and I think you should document it on your RU-vid channel as you go along. That’s a series I would def watch start to finish. I’m binge watching the Satellite vids now on both channels. Amazing y’all. Absolutely amazing.

Hard to believe how fast 4 years goes by thinking it's about time this old girl gets some love 😅

My brother had a beautiful 72 Firebird Formula that he bought in 1982. It was an awesome machine.

" my old man is a television repairman,he's got the ultimate set of tools. I can fix it" - Jeff spicoli

I know the feeling, I got my dream car which is a 69 dodge charger with a 440 in it. I found when I was a junior in high school. I'm 35 now and still working on it. But I love that car.

If you were closer to me, I'd give you a PONTIAC 350 to put in that bird. That SBC belongs in a Camaro, NOT a Formula. I used to have a 73 Formula 400, it was my favorite car ever. Glad you are keeping the dream alive, tho!

I don't care how beat up a Firebird can get, I love em all. That is a sweet car.

My buddy has a 71 formula 400 that we are currently rebuilding the 400 and th350 trans. Theyre awesome cars. If anyone near pa has a dash we could sure use one. Lol

Out of all the years of the Pontiac versions of these cars 73 74 was my favorite. They used to come in an orange color that was just loud but cool. I really hope you make this guy the road tool she should be! However it's gonna take a lot of work! Great stuff guys! Thank you!

My first car was a then 6 year old 1970 Firebird 350 I bought with a three speed Saginaw and 68,000 miles on it for $1000. It was hands down my favorite car ever. Your video made me nostalgic for my old bird - Bad!

I was taught to adjust Chevy valves by running the engine, loosen the rocker nut until you hear "clacking", tighten until it goes away and add 1/4 to a 1/2 turn. Always worked out great for me, but it does make a bit of a mess. CorvetteBen made some valve covers to use when doing this. He cut the top, center out of a pair of old covers and it really does a good job of reducing the oil splash.

I see a multi-coloured Firebird & I want to paint it blaaaack....and drop in a 455.

The first video of yours that I saw was the F250 revival with Lucas, which I have watched probably a dozen times over. This is the channel for true gearheads. Really great videos and the editing is spot on. It makes these videos so much fun to watch and has me dreaming every time I see an abandoned ride in a field. Thanks for the great videos and lofty dreams! :D

American Muscle will live forever ! People these videos are therapeutic to me, I absolutely love it to watch when a classic car gets salvaged and brought back to live, and is eventually restored to its full glory. Especially if it is American Muscle, luxury coupes land yachts, or even older vehicles from the very early ages of the brass era automotive era. I salute you guys and all the fines folks that do the likes of it.

I had a 1973 Firebird Formula with a Pontiac 400. balanced and blueprinted, headers, Crower Cam, Muncie w/Hurst shifter 4 speed, Holley 4 barrel. It was a numbers matching car when I bought it but, it did have a 75 nose on it presumably for the better headlight setup. I like the original front end much better. Your front end looks to be in pretty good shape. One thing that you will want to add as you go along is sub frame connectors as the rear frame from the factory is uni-body and, a definite weak spot in it's construction. I had to get rid of mine back in 95 I think it was and, I have missed the car ever since. If your looking for body and or suspension parts - you might try Bethels Goat Farm if they are still in business. They carried a large number of hard to find Pontiac parts. I kook forward to seeing more of your build as you go along and, sincerely wish you the best of luck with it. They were a beautiful design and I wish there were more of them still around! Garrett Doyle

Favorite belt flavor is them sour rainbow ones. Who knew candy stores sold car parts!

Congrats on the owning one of the best years of Firebirds made!

I love Firebirds dude, my third car with a 71 with a 455, I got it it had 44,000 miles with the four-speed Muncie and a 12-bolt posi with 4 10 s, a month after I got it I got hit head on by a motorcycle completely totaled it 😭 bring that baby back to life dude 👍☮️

Owned a '72 Esprit (same look minus the hood scoops) 350 with a 2 speed slushbox. Upgraded to a 350TBH with a shift kit and a B&M Quickclick shifter. New paint, wheels and tires. Most enjoyable car I ever owned. I think you should do this one justice and rebuild it to factory spec (if there is enough of it left to work with!) Thanks for bringing back the memories.

Got home from work, made dinner, packed a bong, and saw Junkyard Digs has a new video out. How perfect is that

**Awesooooome!** Sounds like it has just rolled off the assembly-line! That beauuuuutiful rumble of the V8! Cheers from New Zealand!

The proper way to adjust the valves on a SBC is by starting the engine and for each cylinder in turn, loosen the rocker arm until it clicks then slowly tighten the rocker until the clicking just stops and tighten the nut a further 3/4 turn. if you want a little more rpm before valve float only tighten the rocker nut a half turn. Repeat for each rocker. I learned this 45 years ago when I was apprenticing as a mechanic. I got a set of slash shields from the Snap-on guy to clip on the rockers to deflect the oil pumping out the push-rods so it doesn't spray everywhere while making the adjustments. Easy-peasy

I owned and restored a 1975 Pontiac Formula 400 with a 4 speed & 3:43 rear, back in June 1982 and had some real fun with that car, (miss it). Drove that car until May 1989 and after joining the Army back in May 1989 and leaving it at my uncles home in Landsdale, PA the winter weather took it's toll on the body & frame. So I upgraded to a 1975 Pontiac Trans-am with a 400, 4 speed & 3:73 rear back in Oct 2001 and she was a project car for someone else and they lost interest on finishing this car but the engine was overhauled and run's great and I also plan on restoring the whole car either this summer or during this year, money provided? Married life with kids always takes a front seat to everything, like the saying goes "Happy Wife, Happy Life". Great video but rebuilding these cars are really more fun and a lot can be done to them so enjoy it while it last. (Restore is the way to go and a Formula is more desirable)!!!!

Firebird 400 is one of the coolest cars ever!

I love those cars. Specially a 4 speed car. Restaure the thing. She earned it!

This video is much better than the car shows that you see on TV. Instead of everything being a high stress time crunch it's just 2 guys that know what theyre doing but still make mistakes and laugh them off. Just doing what they love

A mate of mine here in South Australia, in the last century had a '73 firebird had been converted to RHD very crudely. Had a 454 chev with headers fitted to it was a total pain, but it went hard when you you nailed it even 4 up.

Well done! You lost all that footage but you recovered nicely. Great idea to take the time and explain the loss. It worked flawlessly. Be safe and thanks for sharing.

Nice car! It’s got the Dylan McCool Charger paint scheme. Love it! 😎👍

New dream car unlocked!! Love that front grill with the aligning hood scoops and those body lines. What a car!!!

I’ve been watching your videos for quite awhile so I don’t know how I missed this one. Wow do you look different without the beard! I’m probably older than most your fans but its awesome watching you work on these old junkers. You’ve got a lot of knowledge and you use it. That’s something you don’t see a lot of these days in young or old people. The first car I bought myself was a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Espre? Red with black bucket seats and a 3 speed on the floor. It had a 350 2bbl no power steering , had disc brakes. I bought the car for a graduation present to myself in 1975. Like I said I’m older.. I put dual glass pacs on the car Fenton racing wheels, and speed rated raiding tires and air shocks. I ran the crap out of that car, redline was5500 rpms . It would get rubber in all three gears! I never changed anything else .my girlfriend and I would go to our local McDonald’s on Friday and Saturday nights hang out and pickup racing my favorite was stop light to stop light. It’s wasn’t the fastest car in the group but it did pretty darn good. I kept that car for 2 years then did something stupid. I got married and traded my bird for more of a family car. I’ve missed that car since the day I traded it off and seeing you with that 73 I hope you fix it and keep it. Thank you for sharing your videos and your life. May God bless you in all you do..

Yesss, finally a new video! Aaand about a Pontiac! Greetings from Hungary

I love that year, make and model! I cant wait to see how it turns out

Seeing a video this old and how you look here vs current is crazy!!

The last few days I've gotten so hooked on watching car "revival" videos. It's interesting and I wish I knew more about cars. And hopefully I'll learn something from all the videos I watch. And hopefully sometime in the future I'll be able to buy myself my dream car and fix it up!

This car is beautiful. One of my favourite cars ever

Think you make it the way you want your dream car to be, love those old Pontiacs

I just happened to "stumble upon" this video I never saw... That must be "Baby Kevin"! Please confirm that you still own this beautiful Fire Chicken!

That was totally Chief! Those were the best Formulas! I had a yellow with black vinyl top 73 Le Mans during the 80s! It was a nice paint and well kept car!

Awsome video guys.... Keep them coming.....you guys are seriously living the dream for me.... classic American cars..🤘 🇺🇸🇬🇧

My favorite bet flavor is Burnt Offering.

as someone who's first muscle car they saw was a firebird it has had a special place in my part and im so glad to see you restore one i'd love to see the end product.

Growing up in the UK (now living in the USA) I have been an F body fan for many many years but for me the bullnose shape is one of my favorite classic car designs of all time

Do a collaboration with vice grip garage!!!!!!!

FINALLY SOME FIREBIRD LOVE. Sorry, got excited.

I owned a 1979 z28 camaro with a 350 with the 350 turbo trans, I blew the engine at 335k miles and put in a 383 stroker loved that car

I bought a 64 2 dr Impala in winter of 89 for $200.00, a 327 with cracked heads and a passenger side floor viewing hole. We called her the bondo buggy in shop class, your Firebird reminded me of her.

Favorite belt flavor is cherry. Where do you think Twizzlers came from 😂

Love the video I've got a 79 formula and just picked up a 76 factory 455 speed trans am project

Love to see vintage birds saved! Car looks fairly complete with a lot of desirable parts👍 great find👏✌️

Keep it...restore it...it’s a beautiful car , I remember when that particular style came out ( giving my age away here) but not many around anymore

I think you should fully restore it

Do not spin the push rod when setting your preload. Use up and down movement only, then 1/2 turn down. I use the EOIC method and it's accurate.

According to some service manuals, a quick way to set preload in most stock SBCs is to crank the engine over by hand, with the number 1 cylinder at the top of the compression stroke and tighten (or loosen) the rocker arm nut until the lifter can just barely be turned between two fingers with a slight bit of drag. Repeat this process for each cylinder until all preload for every valve has been completed. This will get you very close to ideal preload, or perhaps dead on the money in many cases. I used this when I rebuild the valve guide seals on my 87 C10, and it works flawlessly. Engine ran beautifyully on startup with only minor adjustment to the timing after having replaced the distributor.

I'm envious, I use to own (among others) a 70 that I made to look like a Trans Am. Very fun, fast car. I'm 65

ahhhh, your killing whats left of those valves with that starting fluid.!

Me and Junkyard Digs have at least one thing in common...no gloves 😜 maybe not the smartest thing, but oh well💯💯💪💪

Good memories!!! I had the '74 Formula model in a bit of better condition back in the day. I updated the suspension to WS6 and warmed the motor up a bit. Lots of fun for sure!!

sweet ride , my buddies older brother had one with a 400 v8 big block and t-tops with a 4 speed and a 4 bbl carb that was like a coin fountain it was so big and crazy big intake manifold, he could not keep rear tires on it either,LOL, hazmat suit is a good idea, I found some old cars with types of mold that were super toxic we found out on the internet by taking a picture ,

Love these junkyard rescues….

"you got rust on your teeth" would be a great Junkyard Digs Tshirt

Very cool getting that 350 running, and i really like wathching the donuts in the show!!!! I am looking forward to the build of that Firebird!!!

Had a '73 Esprit back in the day, I loved that car. Hopefully I can find one and enjoy it.

Nice Formula saved from the crusher👍

Welcome to the Fbody gang! :D

Awesome project .I look forward to this journey . I have one myself .In Cali .I have a 73 firebird espirt .350 4b carb . At the moment working on suspension. Good luck brother And be safe.

A beautiful car ... it's a pity they don't make them today. Wonderful body shapes.

As a dedicated Ford man I will admit that this is my favorite body style of the Firebird, much nicer than the Smokey and the Bandit era cars. Also I would put a Pontiac engine back in it, preferably a 455. Nice find, I liked that dent side Ford in the beginning.

Swap out that 350 for a Poncho 400!

That Firebird just came back to life before our very eyes. Nice donuts - congrats on the new toy! I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

Brings old memories back, love every bit of it. Thank you for taking the time to video from Steve N.B Canada

My favorite belt flavor is blueberry. I like to put em in my muffins sometimes😂

So much better looking than a split bumper camaro!

Actually had a want to say it was a 1970 or 71 Trans Am pace car what a mess when I first got the car it had the exact same front end except for a different hood scoop and not the ram air and style like that had the functional hood scoop which I had to purchase because mine was bad that was expensive but it had a 400 4 speed that would jump beer cans what a great car hey guys keep making your content really good I enjoy watching and stay well and stay safe and as always God bless

dream car needs to run and look like a dream! not a nightmare! you've got alot of work.

My favorite belt flavor is sour tuna. Thank you.😂😂😂

There is a junk yard on hwy 163 south near pella,ia that has a car very simular to what your looking for

You guys have a lot of fun working on old cars together. Great video.

Super job on restoring that Firebird My favorite car of all time is the Plymouth Roadrunner. I hope one day y'all can find that in a junkyard and restore it.

This thing is way too beautiful to be real! My dream car! Sad story - I'll never own one ... :-/ Greetings from Germany

OMG put a real Pontiac engine in it!!! It at least deserves that much. I've been building them for over 40years and as long as you upgrade the timing chain they'll run forever.

Congrats on getting the car man. i had a 1979 Formula. And I sure miss it everday. Plan to get another not too far from now. Good luck on getting it fixed up, like to see what you can achieve!

Hey Mr. Digs. I saw this car for sale near tulsa three years ago. He wanted like $6800 for it. 350 chevy engine. Need a lot of work huh. I had a 73 formula in 1979. thatts why I looked at that one. He had others. Way above my ability. good luck with it. I'm building 72 firebird with 69 gto 400 engine with 670 heads. Its a screamer. didn't have to paint it.

More mook this summer too

Gotta get a backup system going brother.

Time to pull out the Year One and Classic Industries catalogs! If you have a vin number, you can build a complete band new car.

I owned a 64 GTO with a 389 tri-power and 4-speed that had a rare paint color called Black Cherry. It looked like a black base coat with a touch of red in the clearcoat, but may have been a special color. It was a long time ago & I've slept since then...