69 firebird T/A convertible

[SamHatco]

Will you replace the top yourself? Can we expect some photos from that work? Great car!!

I hope I can install the top, however, I might let a pro do it. In that event I will see if I can get pictures of the process.

Sam

[novaracer_2000]

I installed a top on my GTO a few years ago.This time i'm paying someone.

[billybobdupree]

Sam,
Amazing work. what more can anyone say!
I am attempting to install a "hidden hose" Vintage Air kit in my 69. Can you shed some light on how you routed the hoses under the dash. See the pic(yours) for more detail.
Thanks
Billie

[dhutton]

I hope I can install the top, however, I might let a pro do it. In that event I will see if I can get pictures of the process.

Sam

There is an episode of Musclecar covering the installation of the top on their 69 Trans Am clone. Might be worth watching. I had no idea how much work went into a convertible top install.

Here is the link:

http://www.powerblocktv.com/site3/in.../ep?ep_show=MC

[SamHatco]

Sam,
Amazing work. what more can anyone say!
I am attempting to install a "hidden hose" Vintage Air kit in my 69. Can you shed some light on how you routed the hoses under the dash. See the pic(yours) for more detail.
Thanks
Billie

Thanks for the compliments. My plan is to go just above the vent hole. I have plans to put speakers in the area where your arrow is pointing. Pehaps Frank @ Prodigy Customs could shed some light on the hose routing. This will be the same set up as he did on Empty Nest.

Sam

[SamHatco]

There is an episode of Musclecar covering the installation of the top on their 69 Trans Am clone. Might be worth watching. I had no idea how much work went into a convertible top install.

Here is the link:

http://www.powerblocktv.com/site3/in.../ep?ep_show=MC

Yes, I saw that episode and I even have it recorded. Watched it a few times. I too didn't realize what an ordeal it is to have a top properly aligned. I do understand about adjusting the windows because I was a line mechanic at a Chevy dealership way way back in 1972, working my way through college. It wasn't fun then and I know it won't be fun now trying to adjust door glass to stop air and water leaks. It was bad enough adjusting door glass on a hardtop, much less on a convertible.

Sam

[BMF Machine]

ExcellanT WorK!

[ssmith100]

Sam,

Car looks fantastic. I'd do a layer of ensolite on that floor board before I put the carpet in it. It will make a considerable difference.

Shane

[zman1969]

Yes, I saw that episode and I even have it recorded. Watched it a few times. I too didn't realize what an ordeal it is to have a top properly aligned. I do understand about adjusting the windows because I was a line mechanic at a Chevy dealership way way back in 1972, working my way through college. It wasn't fun then and I know it won't be fun now trying to adjust door glass to stop air and water leaks. It was bad enough adjusting door glass on a hardtop, much less on a convertible.

Sam

my last 69 bird vert needed adj someting fierce also new seals - on the 03 "deep south" Power Tour- I have never seen a car leak water SOOOOOO bad!! kinda sad too is it was super rust free had all original floors - I was going to do my TA clone with it but it was complete and running - didnt see the sense tearing it down and all that so i did a coupe parts car that I had bought few years back. keep working at it Sam, it inspires me to keep going!

Sam,

Car looks fantastic. I'd do a layer of ensolite on that floor board before I put the carpet in it. It will make a considerable difference.

Shane

Shane - what is that- ensolite??

[icebird84]

Shane - what is that??

Shane is a 1953 western

sorry could not help myself

[zman1969]

Shane is a 1953 western

sorry could not help myself

now

[lt1chevelle]

that car is bad ass!! cant wait to see it done, gr8 work!!!

I'm worst than a kid on Christmas morning. I was going to pick the car up after work but the sun was shinning and I couldn't wait, anyway here are some shots out in the sun and loaded up to take home.

This thing really pops in the sunlight.





Money shot of the wheels.



This is the view those mustang guys are going to be seeing most



Those 18x10s 275/40s really fill up the rear wells. I rolled the outer lips just for a little insurance.



Engine bay just waiting for the LS1/T56



Finally home!!



This car has exceeded my expectations





I just love the 69 camaro, but I've always have been a pontiac guy, my first car was a 70 Grand Prix that would really run, but I think these birds are not getting the respect they deserve. This thing is going to be a killer pro touring car (not to toot my own horn, but I guess I am )

So now the fun really begins. I hope to have steady updates in the coming months.

Sam

[ssmith100]

Ensolite = basically a closed cell foam. While the Dynamat Extreme is good for creaks, rattles and "some" noise insolation, the ensolite acts as more of a road noise barrier. Worth every penny.

Ant at Second Skin sells a version that works very well. I used it on my CTS-V and it made a world of difference than just the extreme on the floor boards. Link: http://www.secondskinaudio.com/noise...r/overkill.php

As far as the "movie" Shane goes, I have about twenty copies if anybody ever needs on. I get one just about every Christmas.

Sorry to thread jack Sam.

Shane

[SamHatco]

It' been a few days since my last update. Finally got the engine installed and completed/bled the brakes.





Plumbed all the brake lines and installed the 7/8" bore Wilwood Master Cylinder along with the ATS hydraulic clutch assembly:






I'm working on the installing the Magnaflow 2 1/2" exhaust system I purchased from Frank. Very nice system and a great price, thanks Frank. Having a few issues with the exhaust though, since this is a convertible I'm having to cut and relocate the X pipes to allow for the Hotchkis convertible brace. My plans are to cut the pipes, tack weld them and take them to my local welder so he can tig weld the joints. I also had to remove the rear Hotchkis sway bar as the exhaust interfears with the sway bar. I read somewhere on here that some say the rear sway bar does not give that much advantage over not having one. At least that is what the debate has been.

Also had some issues with the front wheels clearing the LS1 brake calipers. I had to grind off a small amount off the top fins of the calipers for clearance. I also had a small tire rub issue with the frame, so I just added some weld to the turn stops on the lower controll arms and fixed that problem, took about 15 minutes. Will keep you guys posted.

Sam

[Motown 454]

Wow thats looking sweet!

[67SSDan]

Very cool man. Keep it up!

Dan

[steve g]

Glad to see the project coming along Sam. I bought one of the Magnaflow systems from Frank as well and love the sound on my 69 FB. I ended up sending the Hotchkis x brace back and will go with just the subframe connectors.

[SamHatco]

Glad to see the project coming along Sam. I bought one of the Magnaflow systems from Frank as well and love the sound on my 69 FB. I ended up sending the Hotchkis x brace back and will go with just the subframe connectors.

Getting the exhaust tucked up inside the x brace can be troublesome, but I love a challenge. I also believe you gain a lot of rigidity with the sub-frame connectors and x brace. Once I made the cuts I tacked the pieces together and sent it to my welder. He then tig welded the pipes and ground down the welds. Here are some pics of the exhaust. It was tight in the area of the x brace but after some careful measuring I got it to clear everything. Can't wait to hear it run.

Tucked up inside the x brace


Mufflers are tucked up really nice to my new aluminum 3" drive shaft


Tips just peek out below the rear quarter panels


Sam

[SamHatco]

As with everyone else here, I've been looking for ways to dress up the engine bay, and I've noticed that on some of the higher end builds the water hoses being used are those very expensive braided lines, not to mention the AN fittings that go with them. I'm always looking for different ways to achieve the same look as these builds, but without breaking the budget. Snooping around my trusty McMaster Carr catalog I came across these braided sleeves



So I purchased a 10' roll for about 15 bucks along with some shrink clamps and thought I would try it out. What do you guys think?



These are just mocked up as I haven't heated up the clamps.

Sam

[dropit69]

car is looking killer i think the sleeves look good for what you are doing..it looks 100 percent better than a plain black hose..keep up the great updates..