68 Firebird 400 Build "Project Tenacity"

[Dawg 68]

Hello to the site. I am new this site & this is my 1st build. I have part taken in a project that’s going to take a lot of patient, time, $$$$, sanity & a ton of research that’s why I am here now as member of this site. I started off initially with a 70 lemans that I am still trying to get rid of with the intent of building a dragster but after I started seeing the pro-touring style machines, I had an instant change of heart for the 67-69 F bodies as a daily driver beast. I searched around on craigslist, eBay etc. looking for a Camaro but couldn’t find one at a reasonable price for a project build until I came across the 68 Firebird 400. I knew I was going to be doing a LS (LS3 oh my) swap so I wasn't too concerned about the car having a motor/trans. just something that a I could work with over time. I probably could have taken the time to find one in better shape but ole well. My build budget is set & the project is going to be built over phases & I have already taken the 1st dive with starting on the body work. I probably could have found one ready to go within my budget but it takes the pride out of doing it yourself & getting what you want for the best bang $$ wise. I plan on tackling whatever I can myself with the exception of the body/paint/interior/exhaust etc.. but will try to attack everything else that I feel comfortable with. I will be relying on insights from you guys along the way & thanks in advance. I decided to name this project “Project Tenacity” b/c I know it’s going to be a long haul & will take of lot of perseverance & tenacity to get it done.

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done But he with a chuckle replied, That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried. So he buckled right in with the trace of grin On his face if he worried he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing that couldn’t be done, and he did it! (It couldn't be done by Edgar A Guest).

[Dawg 68]

Getting rid of the rust... waiting on new full trunk pan, quarter panels & outter wheel wells.

[Dawg 68]

New floor installed & started the sand blasting. Seam filling of floor up next..

[captainofiron]

Great job on the rusty floor.

Im gonna need to do the floors and quarters on mine

not to mention the previous owner hacked up the firewall to put a 454 Chebby in there

[bs46488]

WOW!

You are a brave man! The new floors look great. Keep it up.

[rohrt]

subscribing.

[FireBeater]

Thanks for tackling this car! It makes mine look good and we save another Bird.

[Dawg 68]

OK, I haven't posted anything in almost 3 years but I still have my 68 Bird & we are still moving forward with it. I now know what it takes to get one of these things up and going and boy was I in for total surprise along the way.

[Dawg 68]

Speedtech Pro-touring Subframe & QuadLink Rear
Moser Ford 9" Rear End
Nodular Case Ctr Section with 31 spline w/3:89 Tru Trac gears.
Have LS 408 Stroker with Wiseco Pistons, K1 forged Crank
Cam Motion Custom Grind Cam
Tremec 6 Speed wide Ratio Trans
Baer 14" 6P Brakes

[gator68428]

Nice! Hadn't seen this project and thought it was new one. Just a long break! Thanks for the update.

That was a lot of body work! Did you just start out by taking a 4" cutoff wheel and cutting all the rusty metal off? Looks like a lot work was done since 2014; I guess we don't want to know how much/time money went into that... I spy what looked to be Verdoro Green on the old photos, same color as mine was originally (also an original 400 car). Keep up the tenacity!

[Dawg 68]

Yes, That's exactly what we did. The metal wasn't too bad. I prolly have about 8K in the metal work with parts & labor. The $$ was the motor, subframe, suspension, brakes, rear end, Trans etc...

[Dawg 68]

[Dawg 68]

Sand & polish on deck!

[jstanard]

When I saw the first few pictures, I thought "well, on the bright side, it's never been wrecked." :-)

Love the paint color.

[Dawg 68]

408 c.i. 6.7 Liter LS Power Plant

[Bennsb]

I’m in awe. Great work bringing her out of the ashes. I feel real lucky with what I got to start with now. That paint color is a phenomenal choice.

[Dawg 68]

Back at the build again. Here are few updates on where things are. Paint is done for the most part. Wheel & tires have been fitted. I am running 245/40ZR-18's Michelin Pilot Sports 4S up front with Baer 6P Bakes all the way around & 325/30ZR-19's in the rear. Manual Brakes has a Baer Master Cylinder w/proportion valve. The bird has Dakota Digital VHX gauges, Vintage Air, DSE Wiper Motor, Holley Dominator X EFI, Holley Fuel Tank, Griffin Radiator w/fans, McLeod RST Twin Disc Clutch w/Hydraulic Throwout Bearing, & American Wire Wiring.

[anguilla1980]

Looks like she's coming along great! Thanks for posting an update.