68 Firebird - Build My Way - UnProEverything

[firebob]

Looks like you're doing a great job. One step at a time. That's one thing that a lot of guys try to do everything at once and get frustrated and eventually give up because they get so ovewhelmed they can't see the end of the project.
I've had my 69 for 34 yrs. It sat in the garage for around 9 years while my kids grew up and when I decided to build a hot rod with my son I figured I better finish mine first. It's funny when you look back through the years and see how it has always been with us. My daughter remembers getting pulled over when she was in her car seat and I delivered her to her wedding ceremony in it. Of course, I raced it at Laguna Seca two days later. Over the years it's had 4 different paint jobs, 5 different motors and all along I just upgraded things as I went along. Never really had the money to spend on it because it was just the fun car. I started out autocrossing back in the 80s so I always kind of had an idea what I wanted it to be(still working on it). Occasionally you get side tracked but it's good to keep focus.
Some recent pics. Just replaced the original springs for the first time in 45yrs.

[FireBeater]

Thanks for the encouragement! I think it is awesome that you have kept your car for 34 years. That is some solid love for your car. I hope to do the same. I think it is awesome that you can say you have had your daughter in a baby sit and then be able to say you took her to her wedding in the same car. That is just straight up awesome.

That engine looks like it can crank out some Horsepower!!!

Whats up with the different Rocker arms? Is that the 1:5 and 1:65 ratio's?

Also, tell me more about your rear panhard bar. is that stock or a creation of your own? I have not seen anything like that before, because it looks stock.

Looks like you're doing a great job. One step at a time. That's one thing that a lot of guys try to do everything at once and get frustrated and eventually give up because they get so ovewhelmed they can't see the end of the project.
I've had my 69 for 34 yrs. It sat in the garage for around 9 years while my kids grew up and when I decided to build a hot rod with my son I figured I better finish mine first. It's funny when you look back through the years and see how it has always been with us. My daughter remembers getting pulled over when she was in her car seat and I delivered her to her wedding ceremony in it. Of course, I raced it at Laguna Seca two days later. Over the years it's had 4 different paint jobs, 5 different motors and all along I just upgraded things as I went along. Never really had the money to spend on it because it was just the fun car. I started out autocrossing back in the 80s so I always kind of had an idea what I wanted it to be(still working on it). Occasionally you get side tracked but it's good to keep focus.
Some recent pics. Just replaced the original springs for the first time in 45yrs.

[captainofiron]

Thanks for the encouragement! I think it is awesome that you have kept your car for 34 years. That is some solid love for your car. I hope to do the same. I think it is awesome that you can say you have had your daughter in a baby sit and then be able to say you took her to her wedding in the same car. That is just straight up awesome.

That engine looks like it can crank out some Horsepower!!!

Whats up with the different Rocker arms? Is that the 1:5 and 1:65 ratio's?

Also, tell me more about your rear panhard bar. is that stock or a creation of your own? I have not seen anything like that before, because it looks stock.

+1 on the panhard
I have never seen one used with Leafs, since the leafs usually keep the axle centered

[rickpaw]

Nice work on the Firebird, Firebeater.

+1 on the panhard
I have never seen one used with Leafs, since the leafs usually keep the axle centered

Actually leaf spring can and will allow side to side movement of the axle during hard cornering. Panhard bar will keep it from happening.

[FireBeater]

Thanks Tu!

I never knew the leaf spring could go side to side. I did see once that a Corvette rear wheels can move out of place under HARD acceleration, and that solid bushings can help with it.

Do you know if they were stock? I have not seen the panhard before on the Birds.



BTW. I read through you string, and I really like your car. Nice work. I hope to put in a LS one day.

Nice work on the Firebird, Firebeater.



Actually leaf spring can and will allow side to side movement of the axle during hard cornering. Panhard bar will keep it from happening.

[FireBeater]

Delayed!

So I got the disc brakes on the rear end passenger side. The kit worked out well. I put in different shims to make the bracket fit correctly.

For some reason the drums looked big like, perhaps it is because I have always seen my bird with drums. When I put the discs on the back they looks small. They are stock type discs and I think they will get the job done. I opted for the parking brake package.

I am delayed on one driver side. You can see here that the passenger side is assembled, but notice the studs are barely out the other side. I read in the past that some of the rear disc brakes move the rear wheel out due to the thicker rotors vs. drums. Well that happened to me. I can not even mount the rear wheels on because of not enough thread to grab. I will have to get new rear stud.

Oh well, gives me something else to do and have fun doing.

[captainofiron]

Nice work on the Firebird, Firebeater.



Actually leaf spring can and will allow side to side movement of the axle during hard cornering. Panhard bar will keep it from happening.

I didnt think leafs would allow enough lateral movement to make someone go through the effort to get a panhard bar set up. Interesting

I would think that the leaf would roll first than flex side to side

[rickpaw]

I didnt think leafs would allow enough lateral movement to make someone go through the effort to get a panhard bar set up. Interesting

I would think that the leaf would roll first than flex side to side

I know it can move at least 1/4". The clearance between the rear pass wheel/tail pipe on my car is 1/4", and you can see the witness mark on the pipe where the tire rubbed.

[captainofiron]

I know it can move at least 1/4". The clearance between the rear pass wheel/tail pipe on my car is 1/4", and you can see the witness mark on the pipe where the tire rubbed.

just curious, but is the exhaust pipe hard mounted?