67blacklist
10-23-2010, 05:11 PM
so, introductions, I suck at these...
My name is Tom, I just got out of university with a mechanical engineering degree. And Im now trying to build the 67 firebird I got almost 4 years ago and haven't done anything with.
a brief history: "back in the day" my old man had a 67 firebird with a hopped up 400 under the hood so naturally I wanted one and in the beginning of my freshman year of college I got a white inline six with a few rust bubbles but it ran and drove. Unfortunately I was young and dumb and despite not knowing jack about working on cars I decided to sand down the quarter and fix the rust a week after I got it. After digging through 3 paint jobs and about an inch of partially cured bondo I found that the quarter panel was a hack job... turned out that the other quarter and both rocker panels were done the same way.
So then I went off to school with a half way destroyed relic sitting in the driveway. I came back to it once in a while and got discouraged every time so I really didn't accomplish anything, I got outer fenders and partial quarter skins from year one and started cutting one side out but really didn't accomplish anything. I pretty much abandoned it and spent the latter half of my college years toying with imports. While I hate to admit that faze, it taught me a ton about wrenching and building cars. So now that I've grown out of playing with over-sized lawnmowers I'm back to my roots.
Below are pictures of the car the week after I got it when I started destroying it and the present condition of the left quarter which I half removed 2.5 years ago.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
As far as goals go the first thing that I think needs done is the body work, the lower quarters and rockers need replaced, both front and rear windshield roughs need some work but Im confident I can handle those. The fenders and doors also need some work but nothing near as major. I can fabricate and weld but don't have much experience with sheet metal. Ive read I don't know how many articles about replacing panels but nothing replaces experience so that's first on the list.
Once the shell is back together I want to build a pro touring budget sleeper. I haven't nailed down an engine choice yet but I will definitely be going manual, likely a t56. Eventually I want to run a dana 44 irs but will likely stay with the solid axle initially. The suspension will be set up for grand touring, I have no real interest in participating in drag strip racing, I might try some autocross or road racing down the road but my biggest interest is in the build itself and the thrill of pushing the limits on my own.
The body will stay mostly stock for a clean and subtle look. The interior will be re-worked keeping with the original styling and adding a few modern features.
to those of you who read this whole thing, thank you and don't you have anything better to do with your lives? To those who skimmed through, you didn't miss much.
My name is Tom, I just got out of university with a mechanical engineering degree. And Im now trying to build the 67 firebird I got almost 4 years ago and haven't done anything with.
a brief history: "back in the day" my old man had a 67 firebird with a hopped up 400 under the hood so naturally I wanted one and in the beginning of my freshman year of college I got a white inline six with a few rust bubbles but it ran and drove. Unfortunately I was young and dumb and despite not knowing jack about working on cars I decided to sand down the quarter and fix the rust a week after I got it. After digging through 3 paint jobs and about an inch of partially cured bondo I found that the quarter panel was a hack job... turned out that the other quarter and both rocker panels were done the same way.
So then I went off to school with a half way destroyed relic sitting in the driveway. I came back to it once in a while and got discouraged every time so I really didn't accomplish anything, I got outer fenders and partial quarter skins from year one and started cutting one side out but really didn't accomplish anything. I pretty much abandoned it and spent the latter half of my college years toying with imports. While I hate to admit that faze, it taught me a ton about wrenching and building cars. So now that I've grown out of playing with over-sized lawnmowers I'm back to my roots.
Below are pictures of the car the week after I got it when I started destroying it and the present condition of the left quarter which I half removed 2.5 years ago.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
As far as goals go the first thing that I think needs done is the body work, the lower quarters and rockers need replaced, both front and rear windshield roughs need some work but Im confident I can handle those. The fenders and doors also need some work but nothing near as major. I can fabricate and weld but don't have much experience with sheet metal. Ive read I don't know how many articles about replacing panels but nothing replaces experience so that's first on the list.
Once the shell is back together I want to build a pro touring budget sleeper. I haven't nailed down an engine choice yet but I will definitely be going manual, likely a t56. Eventually I want to run a dana 44 irs but will likely stay with the solid axle initially. The suspension will be set up for grand touring, I have no real interest in participating in drag strip racing, I might try some autocross or road racing down the road but my biggest interest is in the build itself and the thrill of pushing the limits on my own.
The body will stay mostly stock for a clean and subtle look. The interior will be re-worked keeping with the original styling and adding a few modern features.
to those of you who read this whole thing, thank you and don't you have anything better to do with your lives? To those who skimmed through, you didn't miss much.