1977 Fire-Bird Philippines

[77birdPH]

1977 Fire-Bird Philippines


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh46IuUxxE0

On 23 March 2013 I got the registration for my Firebird, a process taking 7 months to complete. :hail:

[77birdPH]

November 2, 2012 start of project.
AC dismantled for checking the evaporator and condenser.

Where sent to AC shop for cleaning and leak test. No leaks found, surprising for a 77 car.

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Nippon compressor

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.. I had some difficulties to locate 2.5 inch AC duct hoses. All the shops offered 2 inch paper hose but my AC shop had it, lucky :)
A new fan motor was also installed with new resistors for speed control.
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The dash got some new AC vents and carbon fiber imitation.. yea its cheap. Second try with the carbon imitation got acceptable the glue was fine on flat surfaces but where it had to be bent around openings it did not have enough strength, did I say it was cheap…
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Time to remove the rear axle this to fit mini tubs and a 3 link coil over suspension.
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The suspension brackets nuts needed some heat

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Mini tubs, started with driver’s side went as per plans no complications.

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The links welded ( the rod ends where intended for my 3 ton Cherokee)
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[77birdPH]

Test fitting of the links.

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Found out that the upper link box was to narrow. Well make it wider from 3 inch to 5 inches still suspect its too narrow grrr my bad:nopity:7342773428
Rear axle bridge
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Lower Link in place :smoke:

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[77birdPH]

Coil-Over Conversion, Rear, Universal, Kit.................. adapted for my application

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/03/halaln2000k-1.jpg

Brand:QA1 Precision Products
Manufacturer's Part Number:ALN4000K
Part Type:Coil-Over Kits
Product Line:QA1 Pro Coil-Over Conversion Systems
Summit Racing Part Number:HAL-ALN4000K

UPC:806990000811
Suspension Height Adjustment:Stock
Coil-Over Kit Position:Rear
Recommended Rear-End Weight:1,551-1,850 lbs.
Shocks Included:Yes
Adjustable Valving:No
Gas Charged:No
Extended Length (in):16.250 in.
Collapsed Length (in):11.125 in.
Upper Mount:Eyelet
Lower Mount:Eyelet
Shock Body Material:Aluminum
Shock Body Finish:Clear anodized
Bushing Material:Steel
Bushing Color:Natural
Coil-Over Springs Included:Yes
Spring Rate (lbs/in):175-350 lbs./in.
Spring Finish:Silver powdercoated
Crossmember Included:Yes
Adjustable Mounting Bracket Included:Yes
Hardware Included:Yes
Welding Required:Yes
Quantity:Sold as a kit.
Notes:Included 12 in. coil-over springs.
Here's an easy way to convert your stock rear suspension to a coil-over suspension. You get everything you need with these QA1 Pro coil-over systems, from shocks to nuts and bolts, complete installation instructions, and even decals!

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[77birdPH]

Subframe got some new bushings

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Simple sub-frame connector :nopity:

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Rear axle got some longer bolts

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Front suspension gt new bushings (rubber)
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Interior poor mans Dynamat,............. Flashband

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Instant waterproof seal, even in damp conditions
Quick and easy to apply, no specialist tools required
4 layers of protection, lacquer, foil, membrane and bitumen adhesive
Superior heat resistance from -10oC to 100oC
Easily moulds to contours
Long lasting protection, at least 15 years

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[77birdPH]

Rear axle Watts link

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[77birdPH]

Interior update

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[77birdPH]

Here is how she stands today

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Plans for the future, GM Vortec 350 engine from 1996-2002 getting same TBI from the 305.
Restoring the original fuel injection cost about $1000,00 hmm too much..... tempting to steal the Fast EZ efi from the Cherokee


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Cherokee Fast EZ efi

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[77birdPH]

This is a sad story, on the positive side I must say its going god for the companies selling wheels as a new customer are ignored.
Sending request to 3 different companies selling Daytona wheels via their web mail and direct mail, not one of them replying, all I wanted was to for them to response to my mail, no one did reply. WHY :spank2:


17x8 American Racing Vintage VN801 Daytona Satin Black/Machined
73464

Maybe American Racing should look over their dealers.

No wonder that the Chinese are taking you over

[Thephranc]

Thats looking good.

[72blackbird]

Lars,
I looked at those rims too at one point- offset was not quite optimal for a 2nd gen Firebird.

[77birdPH]

Lars,
I looked at those rims too at one point- offset was not quite optimal for a 2nd gen Firebird.

What would you recommend??

I was looking at this for the rear: 17x8 5x120.7 +24 VN80178034724 $159.50 20.02 Lbs

[MrQuick]

looking good for gas welding, I like the backwoods work you guys do down there.

how does it feel?

[72blackbird]

Lars,
I guess it depends on what style you like- I prefer to keep my Firebirds and T/A's looking more traditional, so I'm leaning towards the 17" and 18" wheels that look similar to the factory rims.

I'm most likely going to run these on my 72 Esprit. An 18 x 9 aluminum rim with a 5" backspacing that looks like a Rally II for $180/each? Works for me.

73544

http://www.wheelsforless.com/detail.aspx?ID=12105

Geno

[77birdPH]

looking good for gas welding, I like the backwoods work you guys do down there.

how does it feel?


Backwoods, an area that is far from population centers or that is held to be culturally backward.

Philippines with a population of 103 million, its good to be in the backwoods, you have to ask them what they think of being regarded as culturally backward.


Virtuoso, a person who has a masterly or dazzling skill or technique in any field of activity

Gas welding feels good, Nestor who is my welder is a virtuoso with the gas welder, the result is much better than welding with the MIG, much less grinding. It is a pleasure to watch him work with the gas welder. We have a MIG welder also :lol: .......

Yes, the project is done on a a tight budget, sometimes improvising, using locally obtained materials and whats not available has to be imported.

Following companies have contributed and been very helpful:

73642 http://www.amesperf.com/

73643 http://www.summitracing.com/

73644 http://cachassisworks.com/

73645 http://www.performanceonline.com/

73647 http://www.nu-relics.com/

This was a total failure due to their stupid shipping rules, but its not my loss...

73646

[72blackbird]

Lars,
Maybe you need me to send you a Balikbayan box full of parts-lol. I'm in Socal, about 45 mins. from National Parts Depot and 75 mins. from Classic Industries.

Geno

[77birdPH]

Geno, the wheels will be on a balikbayan box, :smoke: just got to get the cash... I might take your offer when you least expect it.

Well moved the Bird to my home found out that radiator is clogged bad went up to 120 C (248F) we let the radiator cup open and it spewed out grey mud :spank2:

Looked like a swamp rat puke... that was a instant flush not sure it did some good still getting high temperatures.

Got some WHIZ Radiator flush 4 x 11FL OZ mixed 1.5 cans and got it up to temperature did not do much good, mixed the remaining 3.5 cans and leave it over night...

Lets see in the morning if any improvement.

The TBI has been acting up found out that the PCV valve is the problem, tried many different PCV but all give same result. The PCV valve is acting like a idle circuit giving the engine extra air. :attn:


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Under SO SASY

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[bonecrrusher]

NC plates? Philippines plates?

Im confused...

[77birdPH]

NC plates? Philippines plates?

Im confused...

I got the NC plate from my friend who lives in NC, the Philippine plates are too long to fit the US standard licence plate slot. The Philippine plates have been made at the local Mall, I have one original Philippine plate, that was cut down and bent to size to fit, its in rather poor state. I am waiting for new plates.

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The Vortec engine is installed

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The Vortec 350 engine 1997-2002 (suburban) was installed.
Pulleys and exhaust manifold from the old Pontiac 305

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New intake from Edelbrock Performer EPS Intake Manifolds 2716.

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Dual-plane Edelbrock Performer EPS intake manifolds deliver dyno-proven horsepower gains from idle to 5,500 rpm, when used with Edelbrock's Performer series square bore or Thunder series AVS carburetors. Dyno tests showed an extra 5 hp and 9 ft.-lbs. over their own Performer manifolds. The secret's in the all-new runner design, which is tuned to produce substantial torque increases in the 3,000-4,500 rpm range--with peak torque at 3,500 rpm. That's power where you need it the most!

[77birdPH]

The conversion of the Vortec engine was rather simple. Choose to go this way as all fitted and was working and the serpentine system needs a lot of work to be adapted. The serpentine pulley system will go in later this year.

The engine was opened up and cleaned filled with oil and oil pump run with a drill, note you need the distributor housing to be in place to get oil pressure in both banks.

The engine oil was drained and new filter and oil was added and circulated. The Vortec oil filter with oil cooler adapter did not wit with the 305 exhaust manifold so it had to be discarded.

The TBI was installed and a new Innovate MTX-L Digital Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge Kits 3844 to feed the TBI.

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The Innovate MTX-L Digital Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge feeds the EMC
two fully programmable linear analog outputs for use with aftermarket engine management systems and data loggers.

The TBI has been hampered by getting too much air via the PCV valve, it needs to be heavy and restricted.
75137 Difficult to find data on the PCV.

The fuel filter was full of **** tough the tank was cleaned 3 times when converting to electric fuel pump. Interesting running when fuel delivery is hampered.

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The cooling has been problematic on the 305 the radiator was cleaned at the radiator shop (2 row radiator) but still running hot (230F)

When the Vortec engine was installed a Cadillac radiator (3 row) was modified to fit the Bird but still having problems with the cooling. Yesterday the thermostat was removed, looks promising.. :cool:

That the water pump hub failed during start up sending the fan into the new radiator and killing 7 tubes was a slight setback. :sick: The radiator shop fixed this in a day.

[MARBIL]

Looking good, LMAO!!! when I saw the dude pissing on your bike in the video.

[77birdPH]

Wide band vs narrow band O2

Narrow Band Oxygen Sensor:
Reads 0-1volt
Longer lasting
Inexpensive

From the graph, you can clearly see A/F below 14.4 is read between 0.9-1V and A/F above 15.0 is read between 0-0.1V. IMO, the leanest A/F is 12:1. I would not put anything leaner than 12.0:1 in my maps. The mid-point, 14.7:1 is the lambda value 1.

The critical voltage values from the stock NB O2 sensor are all sqeezed in 0.9-1V range, therefore the name Narrow Band. This info is not useful at all. You see why the need for WideBand oxygen sensor.

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Wide Band Oxygen Sensor:

Output 0-5 volt
Reads lambda values
Accuracy < 0.1 air/fuel ratio
Shorter life than Narrow band O2
Expensive to replace

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Images and text from http://www.ztechz.net/id12.html

THE TBI EMC uses narrow band O2 sensor input and its really narrow...:here!:

This would be ideal setup.. The cost of approx $2500 is a small hinder to overcome, the performance is excellent.

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[77birdPH]

Looking good, LMAO!!! when I saw the dude pissing on your bike in the video.

Hehe not my bike, I noticed it but let it pass...

[LeighP]

Nice piece of home building.....lots of work in that rear end!

[bonecrrusher]

Nice info on the plates - as I am from NC and got seriously confused, lol.

[72blackbird]

Lars,
You are in luck- the rims you wanted are made in a 18 x 9 size w/ zero offset (5" backspace). These will fit on a 2nd gen Firebird with no mods, provided you haven't changed your brakes.

http://www.wheelsforless.com/american_racing_detail.aspx?ID=8754

Geno

[77birdPH]

Had to change the mufflers to get the sound level down.

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The sound level dropped down but get some resonance in the rear, that amplifies the sound at low revs.
Coated the underside of the booth with thick layer of 3M rubberized body paint but it did not rally help.

I have also quirking sound from the rear suspension when driving on a bad road and passing over speed bumps. The propeller shaft was too long :hammer:and was binding the suspension hitting the transmission output shaft end, cut it down 3/4 inch and now its OK.

Still having some problems with the TBI from idle to 2000 rpm range above the 2000 rpm she runs good AFR 14.7 but under 2000 rpm the she runs lean and wants to overheat. (Hunting revolutions +/- 1-200 rpm wildly fluctuating AFR 15-20) Cleaned the IAC motor and set the minimum idle speed and correct voltage on the TPS. In the drive way she was running good but the IAC count is still high. Observing the injectors spray pattern when the hunting is going on there is a visible lack of fuel when accelerating the spray pattern is directly in relation to bad running. After the last adjustment the injector spray pattern increased dramatically and followed the RPM increase. Amazing how much fuel the injectors are capable of spraying.

I do a test drive today and see if the hunting still is present.

[77birdPH]

Run to the city about 7 km and she was running fine. On the return trip she started hunting again and hesitates on acceleration. But at home she run normal again the idle AFR 16.5-17. Looking at the injectors they do not come up to full spray pattern when accelerating as she did the other day.

Fuel filter is ok checked

TBI pressure regulator is ok checked all new filters and gaskets.

Fuel pump sounds normal.
IAC cleaned and adjusted (old unit).

[77birdPH]

July, 4th while checking the AC ducts and the engine was running for a while on idle and then stopped. On restart the engine would not start battery was down to 10 volts. Checked the alternator and found it very hot, looking closely at terminal connections 1-2 could see tat something inside alternator was glowing like a light bulb. The alternator had a meltdown, its a Delco Remy 100A alternator.

Managed to find a new Delco Remy alternator, not easy if you don't know where to look. Well Edwin had had a one.

As the pulley on the burnt alternator, was a bit small 2.6 inches in diameter, asked Edwin if he could supply a larger pulley and yes he could a 3.1 inch diameter pulley. The the larger pulley had to pass via the machine shop to be turned down in the hub (too thick).

The reason for going for a larger pulley is to reduce the V-belt wear (A single V-belt on a small diameter pulley a 100A alternator is on the limit.)
As the crank shaft and water pump pulleys do not have the provision for dual alternator pulleys so the alternative is to go for a larger pulley.

In the one can see the difference in size of the pulleys.

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In June installed a new aluminium radiator.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/51903/10002/-1?parentProductId=760077

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The radiator has a snug fit and is kept in place by the fan shroud. Slight adjustments for the AC condenser pipes. Added some rubber patches under under the end caps at bottom of radiator. The radiator has provisions for LS engine connections.

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Transmission oil cooler and fins (2 rows 1 inch wide). Works well and need to re install the thermostat runs too cold, 160 F