1968 Firebird 400

[ryeguy2006a]

Very nice, I just did the C5 brake upgrade on my 2nd gen. It is slightly different, but fundamentally the same. On a side note, I see that you are using a Vintage Air setup. I am curious, what are you doing about the two hose ends (one towards the rear of the pass. cylinder head and other on the timing cover) that come off the block for the stock heater box? I am doing the same thing, and was wondering how you were going to approach that?

[68400BIRD]

I don't have the Vintage air set up yet so I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the two hose connections. I'm either going to cap them off or connect them for the time being. Thanks for the compliments.

[68400BIRD]

The front brakes are slowly coming together. Nice heavy duty brackets.

Kore 3 calipers. Nice and light.

Old versus new rotor. I think I know which one will help stop the car quicker. LOL

All mounted up minus the pads. I like how they fill out the back of the rim.


New PMD caps with custom made centering hub spacers.

Back side of PMD cap. I just need to add longer studs.

[68400BIRD]

New master cylinder and adjustable prop valve. All matched up for my brake system.


New front lines good for 3000 psi.

The next project on the car will be a new posi unit and new gears.
THe car has a open carrier and 3:08 gears right now.
I hope the posi unit and 3:55 gears make a big difference.

New KOYO bearings. Made in the USA by Timken. It seems that Timken sold their needle bearing business to KOYO.

New gears.

[LeighP]

Looking good...those spacers for the centre caps worked out nice!

[CliffS]

Looking great!

[68400BIRD]

Looking great!

Thanks, Love the new stance on your car.

[68400BIRD]

I installed new front hard and flex lines.



I checked and double checked my pinion angle and then tacked it in place. I hope it's correct. LOL



With the pinion angle set the rear could come back out and get it's new guts.
Bolted back in with my painted axels.

Black chrome powder coated rear cover.

New rear brake lines installed.

Rotors,calipers and QA1's installed.

[TheBandit]

Looking great! Sorry if i missed it above, but what are the specs on your front brakes? I can't wait to see this with the fenders back on. I love the wheels - if you ever change your mind and decide to sell them let me know!

[LeighP]

Looking real good! Very clean install.

[E.rodz]

Rob looks like you are still making progress. keep going you will have the car on the road again in no time. power tour ? maybe next year. keep it up.

[68400BIRD]

A little update. The car is running, but it has some exhaust leaks and I cannot get a firm brake pedal.

[68400BIRD]

The brakes are a c5/c6 set up from KORE3. Rotors are around 13" in diameter. You use your stock drum hubs but they need to be machined down so the hat of the rotor can slide over them. I also added longer wheel studs. Talk to Tobin at Kore3 and he can help you.

[68400BIRD]

I hope to at least drive it to the Car Craft car show. It will be in primer but at least it should move and stop on it's own power.

[TheBandit]

Congratulations on getting it running! Sounds good in the video.

[LeighP]

Nice...sounds good!!!!

[qnitro]

I had to check your car out...I know Im doing the 90 day 1975 Trans am, and hopefully it will be pulled off.. But its funny, I have a 1968 Firebird Im doing next.. It already has a full 4 link airride set up.. I will definitely need your help

[68400BIRD]

I had to check your car out...I know Im doing the 90 day 1975 Trans am, and hopefully it will be pulled off.. But its funny, I have a 1968 Firebird Im doing next.. It already has a full 4 link airride set up.. I will definitely need your help

If you pull off the 90 day build it will be me who needs your help. LOL
I hope to start back on mine sometime this week.

[gordonr1973]

Looks really good and I am definitely saving this build for reference when I dig into mine later this winter.

Fantastic work!!

[68400BIRD]

Looks really good and I am definitely saving this build for reference when I dig into mine later this winter.

Fantastic work!!

Thanks, I started on the brakes again. Did a new bench bleed on the Wilwood master cylinder. Spent a few hours bleeding it off and on and tapping on the bottom to get all of the air out. Just when you think you are done a few more small bubbles come out. The rear CPP parking brake cables do not fit so I will have to buy custom made ones. I how ever did ratchet the parking brake assembly on the caliper by hand and that really firmed up the brake pedal. Doing a fresh bleed on the complete brake system. Intalled the rest of my PMD center caps. I might get a chance to drive it this week if the brakes work.