1971 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

1971 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

Model Designations:

Pontiac, Firebird, Series 223, 6 & 8 Cylinder

Pontiac, Firebird Esprit, Series 224, 8 Cylinder

Pontiac, Firebird Formula, Series 226, 8 Cylinder

Pontiac, Firebird Trans Am, Series 228, 8 Cylinder

Pontiac Firebird, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop Coupe, 4 Passenger, Body Style #22387

Base Price: $3,047; Shipping Weight: 3,164 Pounds

Total Production: 23,022

Total Base Firebird Production: 18,874

Total with Standard Transmission: 2,778

Total with Automatic Transmission: 20,244

Total with 6 Cylinder Engines: 2,975

Pontiac Firebird Esprit, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop Coupe, 4 Passenger, Body Style #22487

Base Price: $3,416; Shipping Weight: 3,423 Pounds

Total Production: 20,185

Total Firebird Esprit Production: 20,185

Total with Standard Transmission: 947

Total with Automatic Transmission: 19,238

Pontiac Firebird Formula, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop Coupe, 4 Passenger, Body Style #22687

Base Price: $3,445; Shipping Weight: 3,473 Pounds

Total Production: 7,802

Total Firebird Formula Production: 7,802

Total with Standard Transmission: 1,860

Total with Automatic Transmission: 5,942

Note: Above information is for "Formula 350."

Formula "400" cost $100 additional.

Formula "455" cost $158 additional.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Body Styles:

2 Door Hardtop Coupe, 4 Passenger, Body Style #22887

Base Price: $4,594; Shipping Weight: 3,578 Pounds

Total Production: 2,116

Total Trans Am Production: 2,116

Total with Standard Transmission: 855

Total with Automatic Transmission: 1,231

Chassis:

Wheelbase: 108"

Tire Size:

Base Firebird: E78 X 14"

Firebird Esprit: Not Available

Firebird Formula: F70 X 14"

Trans Am: F60 X 15"

Engine Availability:

Engine Horsepower Model Availability

I-6 250 Cubic Inch 145 H.P. Standard

V-8 350 Cubic Inch 250 H.P. Standard on Firebird V-8, except Trans Am.

V-8 400 Cubic Inch 265 H.P. Optional on Firebird, except Formula & Trans Am

V-8 400 Cubic Inch 300 H.P. Standard on Firebird Formula. Optional on Firebird Esprit.

V-8 455 Cubic Inch 325 H.P. Optional on Firebird Trans Am

V-8 455 Cubic Inch 335 H.P. Standard on Firebird Trans Am

General Engine Specifications:

See 1971 Pontiac Engines & Engine Accessories:

Tune Up Specifications:

6 Cylinder, 250 Cubic Inch Engine:

Spark Plug Type: AC R46TS

Spark Plug Gap: .035"

Point Gap: .019"

Dwell Angle: 32-1/2 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4

Ignition Timing: 4 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Standard Transmission: 850 RPM; 650 RPM with A/C "Off"

Automatic Transmission: 650 RPM in Drive: 500 RPM in Drive, with A/C "Of"

Fuel Pump Pressure: 4 to 5 PSI

8 Cylinder, 350 Cubic Inch Engine, with 2 Barrel Carburetor:

Spark Plug Type: AC R47S

Spark Plug: Gap .035"

Point Gap: .016"

Distributor Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing: 12 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Standard Transmission: 800 RPM

Automatic Transmission: 600 RPM in Drive, with A/C "Off"

Fuel Pump Pressure: 5 to 6-1/2 PSI

8 Cylinder, 400 Cubic Inch Engines with 2 Barrel Carburetor:

Spark Plug Type: AC R47S

Spark Plug: Gap .035"

Point Gap: .016"

Distributor Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing: 8 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Automatic Transmission: 600 RPM in Drive

Fuel Pump Pressure: 5 to 6-1/2 PSI

8 Cylinder, 400 Cubic Inch Engines with 4 Barrel Carburetor:

Spark Plug Type: AC R46S

Spark Plug: Gap .035"

Point Gap: .016"

Distributor Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing: 12 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Standard Transmission: 1,000 RPM; 600 RPM with A/C "Off"

Automatic Transmission: 650 RPM in Drive with A/C "Off"

Fuel Pump Pressure: 5 to 6-1/2 PSI

8 Cylinder, 455 Cubic Inch Engines:

Spark Plug Type: AC R46S

Spark Plug: Gap .035"

Point Gap: .016"

Distributor Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing: 12 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Automatic Transmission: 650 RPM in Drive with A/C "Off"

Fuel Pump Pressure: 5 to 6-1/2 PSI

8 Cylinder, 455 Cubic Inch High Output Engines:

Spark Plug Type: AC R46S

Spark Plug: Gap .035"

Point Gap: .016"

Distributor Cam Angle: 30 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing: 12 Degrees BTDC

Engine Idle Speed:

Standard Transmission: 1,000 RPM; 600 RPM with A/C "Off"

Automatic Transmission: 700 RPM in Drive with A/C "Off"

Fuel Pump Pressure: 5 to 6-1/2 PSI

Valve Specifications:

See 1971 Pontiac Engines & Engine Accessories:

Pistons, Rings, Wrist Pin, Crankshaft, & Bearing Data:

See 1971 Pontiac Engines & Engine Accessories:

Engine Tightening Specifications:

See 1971 Pontiac Engines & Engine Accessories:

Capacities:

6 Cylinder:

Cooling System:

With Heater: 12 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 12 Quarts

Radiator Pressure Cap:

With Air Conditioning: 14-17 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 14-17 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 195 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 17 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Manual Transmission:

Three Speed: 3-1/2 Pints

Four Speed: 3-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission:

Pan: 3 Quarts

Rear Axle: 4.25 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

8 Cylinder, 350 Cubic Inch Engine:

Cooling System:

With Heater: 19.4 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 20.3 Quarts

Radiator Pressure Cap:

With Air Conditioning: 14-17 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 14-17 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 195 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 19 Gallons)

Engine Oil Refill: 6 Quarts*

Manual Transmission:

Three Speed: 3-1/2 Pints

Four Speed: 3-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission:

Pan Only: 3 Quarts

Rear Axle: 4-1/4 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

8 Cylinder, 400 Cubic Inch Engine:

Cooling System:

With Heater: 18.6 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 18.7 Quarts

Radiator Pressure Cap:

With Air Conditioning: 14-17 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 14-17 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 195 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 17

Engine Oil Refill: 6 Quarts*

Manual Transmission:

Three Speed: 2.8 Pints

Four Speed: 2-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission:

Pan: 3 Quarts

Rear Axle: 4-1/4 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

8 Cylinder, 455 Cubic Inch Engine:

Cooling System:

With Heater: 17.9 Quarts

With Air Conditioning: 18.7 Quarts

Radiator Pressure Cap:

With Air Conditioning: 14-17 PSI

Without Air Conditioning: 14-17 PSI

Thermostat Opening: 195 Degrees

Fuel Tank: 17

Engine Oil Refill: 6 Quarts*

Manual Transmission:

Three Speed: 2.8 Pints

Four Speed: 2-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission:

Pan: 3 Quarts

Rear Axle: 4-1/4 Pints

* With New Oil Filter

Delco-Remy Distributor Specifications:

See 1971 Pontiac Engines & Engine Accessories:

Delco-Remy Alternator & Regulator Specifications:

See 1971 Pontiac Engines & Engine Accessories:

Delco-Remy Starting Motor Specifications:

See 1971 Pontiac Engines & Engine Accessories:

Rear Axle Specifications:

Carrier Type: Integral

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash:

Method: Shims

Adjustment: .005"-.009"

Pinion Bearing Preload:

Method: Nut

Adjustment:

New Bearings: 20-30 Inch Lbs

Used Bearings: 14-20 Inch Lbs.

Differential Bearing Preload:

Method: Shims

Adjustment: Slip fit plus .008" Tight

Type "C" Differential:

Carrier Type: Integral

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash:

Method: Shims

Adjustment: .005"-.008"

Pinion Bearing Preload:

Method: Spacer

Adjustment:

New Bearings: 20-25 Inch Lbs

Used Bearings: 10-15 Inch Lbs.

Differential Bearing Preload:

Method: Shims

Adjustment:

New Bearings: .004 Inch Pounds

Used Bearings: .004 Inch Pounds

Brake Specifications:

Brake Drum Diameter: 9-1/2"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Disc Brakes: 2-15/16"

Front: 1-1/8"

Rear: 7/8"

Master Cylinder Bore:

Disc Brakes: 1-1/8"

Drum Brakes: 1"

Power Brakes: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

All Models:

Caster: +1/2 Degrees

Camber:

Left: +1/4 Degrees

Right: +1/4 Degrees

Toe In: 1/8 to 1/4"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 18 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Carburetor Specifications:

See 1971 Pontiac Engines & Engine Accessories:

Popular Options:

Air Conditioning; Heater & Defroster; AM Radio; AM-FM Push Button Radio; Stereo Tape Player; Rear Seat Speaker; Electric Antenna; Variable Ratio Power Steering; Power Brakes; Electric Clock; Rally Gauge Package with Tachometer; Tinted Windshield; Padded Dash; Remote Control Side Mirror; Bucket Seats; Reclining Passenger Side Bucket Seat; Power Windows; Power Left Bucket Seat; Tilt Steering Wheel; DeLuxe Steering Wheel; Formula Steering Wheel; Two Speed Wipers & Washer; Cruise Control; Rear Defogger; Wire Wheel Discs; Rally Wheels; Back Up Lights; Bumper Guards; Safe-T-Track; Heavy Duty Battery; Various Trim Options; Various Engine & Transmission Options, and much more.

1971 Pontiac Historical Data:

Introduction date for the 1971 Pontiac line was on August 10, 1970.

Total 1971 Pontiac Production was 586,856, including 53,125 Firebirds.

1971 Pontiac Colors & Codes:

Code Color

06 Orbit Orange

11 Cameo White

13 Nordic Silver

16 Blusstone Gray

19 Starlight Black

24 Adriatic Blue

26 Lucerne Blue

29 Regency Blue

39 Aquarius Green

42 Limekist Green

43 Tropical Lime

49 Laurentian Green

51 Golden Red Yellow

53 Quezal Gold

55 Baja Gold

59 Aztec Gold

60 Orbit Orange

61 Sandalwood

62 Canyon Copper

65 Carousel Red

66 Bronzini Gold

67 Castillian Bronze

75 Cardinal Red

78 Rosewood Poly

Promotional Model Cars Available:

Plastic: Grand Prix 2 Door Hardtop, GTO 2 Door Hardtop, GTO Convertible, Firebird 400 2 Door Hardtop.