68 Firebird - Build My Way - UnProEverything

[rohrt]

So the bird is back on the ground. With pivot of the front suspension and lowering I think I resolved some of the fender to tire space. I think I will have more for the turns.

How did you change to center the wheel better?

[FireBeater]

So I might not use the correct terms, but this is what I see has changed. I tried to illustrate the change in these pictures. The first picture is the old fenders, with new wheels and tires. Old body mounts, springs, bushings, etc, and spring spacers. Now notice the height and positioning of the wheel alignment and fitment. The center cap of the wheel being a visual reference. The next picture is with the new fenders, body mounts, new lowered springs and new control arms. I am lead to believe the lowering by the springs and shifting angle of the spindle by the control arm positioning all help aid in the new positioning of the tire reducing the space to rub. I still want to get button bolts to provide additional clearance.

Once I get out out on the road soon, I will let you know of the TRUTH about the tire to fender clearance.

How did you change to center the wheel better?

Original Position


NEW Position

[FireBeater]

It is time to tackle this beast.

Plans include new shocks, new rear sway bar, new springs, and swap to disc.



Stay tuned.

[Buryingthesun]

as always its nice to see progress!

[FireBeater]

Ok guys, This is funny to me, I pulled out the rear leaf springs and you can see the difference between the stock, and the Hotchkis TVS springs. The funny part to me was when I pulled off the shocks the rear end dropped sooooo low. The old stock springs were like cooked spaghetti noodles. It was a striking difference compared to the Hotchkis once installed. They stayed true to there form even after the weigh from the rear end was added.

I installed the rear sway bar brace, but no pictures.

I still need to install the sway bar and other odds and ends. I will keep you posted.

[FireBeater]

One more thing, to add. The Hotchkis TVS kit included all new mounting hardware. This is cool because it was real Beefy! Leaf spring bolts were upgrade from like 3/8's to 5/8's, same with u-bolts. The front mounting perches had the correct fit bolt clips, but were built to take a beating. I did not capture any pictures of the differences but all I can say is Hotchkis built this this to last. Thanks Hotchkis!

[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.

[FireBeater]

Had time this weekend to install the new wheel studs. They look good and they are long enough for me to get the wheels mounted back on the car.

I used the old hammer them out method, which was really not hard at all. Then to get them in I used a few washers and an old wheel nut. I did position something in between the studs so that it would not spin.

Now onto getting the emer brake hooked up.

[Barrrf]

Garage built rides are my favorite. Looking forward to more updates on this build!

[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

[Gil]

Nice rear disc brake kit & nice looking car !
Have already an "home made" kit on mine from previous owner, with BMW 5 Touring front discs & French Citroën XM calipers...
Not very American Spirit but works very well
Gil

[expensivehobby22]

Hey there,

Great thread. My bird is in similar shape so it's nice to see you making progress with yours.

[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?

[rickpaw]

just curious, but is the exhaust pipe hard mounted?

Yes.