Project Anchor (68 Firebird Coupe)

[blitzer454]

Installed the rear brakes. I was originally going to get some ebay Telsa parking brakes and fab up some brackets but I got lazy and brought Wilwood's electric parking brake solution. Expensive but painless. The Wilwood bracket allows for many different mounting options for the calipers but I found that there was really only one position that the parking brake would work without any interference issues.

[blitzer454]

Then I got to work running all the airlines and parking brake wiring harness to the rear of the car. I drilled a hole in the trunk and ran all the lines through that hole.



Installed the air management system on an MDF board that I carpeted and mounted it to the trunk using some rubber isolator stand offs.

[blitzer454]

I got my taillight project completed. Normally I would get my brother to do the firmware but this time I did all the programming myself. What would probably take him a day took me several weeks but it was a good learning experience and I'm already working on another electronic project for the car, but I'll wait to reveal that later. I tested the taillights on my Camaro since it already has the same body control modules that I will be installing on the Firebird. The taillights are connected via CAN bus to the BCM. This allows me to have as many light sequences as I want. If you ever wondered why the Digitails have you install a wire for both the left and right blinkers to each taillight it is because this allows them to have 2 light sequences instead of 1. So when watching the video note that I have a different sequence for the blinker, brakes and hazards.



Pic of one of the BCM's that I developed for the Camaro and Firebird.

[blitzer454]

Test fitting the new wheels. I have a clearance problem with the valve stems on the front wheels so I got some shorter ones on order. Ignore the body gaps and body lines. The front fender is not bolted down and the doors are not adjusted yet. The wheels are Boze Intake, 18x8 with BS5.875 up front and 19x10 with BS 4.5 out back. Tires are Kumho Majesty 9 Solus. 245/40R-18 and 285/30R-19. I wish I would have went with a 285/40R-19 out back but at the time I worried about clearance issues, but I now see there is plenty of room. Next set I will change. I also got the gas tank re-installed and plumbed.

[Mark69bird]

I realized that I still need to install some sideview mirrors while doing the bodywork. I like the look of the Mustang mirrors although they don't fit as perfectly as some people have stated on other posts that I have read. The Mustang panels have more of a 90 degree swoop to them than the Firebird, so I made some gaskets on my 3d printer to fill that gap on the bottom of the mirror mount area. I also made some backing plates from metal instead of welding in a bracket. I felt this works just as well, and I don't have to weld on the galvanized metal that is inside the door panels. The mirrors have the blinker lights built in and defroster. I may not wire in the defroster function as I don't see myself every using it.

Attachment 216615

Attachment 216616

Attachment 216617

I like the way those turned out. Just wondering if you could give me a bit more detail on the door modifications to make them work. I have a 69 Firebird I’m wanting to do the same. I appreciate any advice you have. Thanks.

[blitzer454]

The door was pretty simple. I used the rubber gasket to make a template for the hole that I cut out of the door. Then I made a couple of half circle cuts on the inner metal structure so I could get a socket wrench on the nuts. The backing plate goes between the door panel and the inner structure.

[blitzer454]

Here's another modification I hope will save me some pain when filling up the tank. I started with a filler neck meant for a '92 -2000 Chevy Stepside and cut away the only 2 pieces that I wanted which were the unleaded fuel hole and the ground strap.





I put a piece of tape around my filler neck as a guide to where I wanted the unleaded fill hole to be positioned.



Then drilled 3 holes that I would use to spot weld in the unleaded fill tube.





Checked for leaks, threw some black paint on and called it good. I hope it works.

[blitzer454]

My first time vinyl wrapping a car. I wet sanded the sealer coat with 500 grit before applying the vinyl. Started with easy mostly flat panels first.





- - - Updated - - -

I also painted all the emblems. It's a red eye Firebird now.



I made my own Pontiac emblem for the front bumper. I thought about replacing the Pontiac star with an anchor. but ultimately went with the star. What do you think, should I have used the anchor instead.

[blitzer454]

Painted and installed the hood scoop, hopefully for the last time.

[blitzer454]

Front spoiler and Holley LED headlights installed.

[blitzer454]

Power locks



Then power windows. Some of this hardware was near impossible to get off, but after using some PB blaster and fire I managed to get it torn apart without breaking any glass.



Some of the zinc plating had rusted away, so I gave everything a coat of cold galvanized zinc paint after removing the rust in an acid bath. I have no idea how long that will hold up, but it looks better than it did. I decided to replace all the glass given that my windshield and rear glass were both destroyed. I also knew that I would eventually want tinted windows and I don't like the window tint that doesn't hold up over time so I got smoked glass.

[blitzer454]

The only problems I had with the vinyl wrap was on the bumpers and tail panel everything else looks perfect. I think I over stretched the vinyl on the bumpers, so I will redo them along with the tail panel. Instead of trying to wrap with one piece I think I will have to use multiple pieces or at least that's my plan.

[Rustychevyman]

Very nice job on the wrap. I am considering that route . My son does wraps for advertising on vehicles so I should have a source for help and hopefully a discount on Vinyl. What year Mustang are those mirrors from?

[blitzer454]

Very nice job on the wrap. I am considering that route . My son does wraps for advertising on vehicles so I should have a source for help and hopefully a discount on Vinyl. What year Mustang are those mirrors from?

Thanks. The mirrors were used on 2015 to 2020 Mustangs. You can get them with different options like built in blinker, puddle light and heated mirror.

[jaybee]

The mirrors look great. How did you go about adapting them to the side profile of the Firebird?

[blitzer454]

The mirrors look great. How did you go about adapting them to the side profile of the Firebird?

Refer back to posts 58 and 66. The last picture on post 58 shows the 3d printed gasket that allows the mirror base to fit snug against the profile of the Firebird door panel. You can kind of see the gasket in the two pictures above that one between the door panel and the original rubber gasket of the mirror. The mirror has a solid feel if I try to move it up or down. In fact, I can see the door panel wanting to flex instead of the mirror wiggling.

[jaybee]

Thanks! I love these extended construction threads, but it can be easy to lose track of things that have been covered earlier.