My 68 Firebird project

**Steve Firebird** · 03-09-2006

I was posting in the introduction area and did not realize there was a project update section. I am going to try to post some pictures in the vBGarage as well as some details on the build. i will update ant progress on this thread from now on
Steve

Sponsored Links

**Roger Poirier** · 03-09-2006

Looks like your already half done. More details please.

R.P.

**speedster** · 03-09-2006

Gettin' there Steve...

**Steve Firebird** · 03-10-2006

I wanted to take some time and put a few details about my car up if any one is interested in info let me know. I love to talk about my car J I have had the car since 1981 between my sophomore and junior year of high school. It started life as a 350 2bbl 2 speed with open rear end. It was the lovely vedoro green with black interior. In 1990 I pulled the engine to freshen it and some how it turned into a 5 year full on restoration. A few years later as it was resting in my pole shed my then 5 and 6 year old nephews decided to see if they could hit the inside of the shed roof with rocks and rail road spikes. I will never forget walking into the shed and noticing marks on my car cover. I pulled it back to find several big dents and chips in my mirror like black paint job. I had it fixed but it never quite looked the same. I did not learn anything from the first time it decided to “freshen” the car up and 2 years ago I pulled off the front clip so I could redo some details on the subframe and engine and beef the engine up somewhat. One again it turned into a full on complete rebuild of the entire car. I am out of time for now but I will continue the saga later on. here is apic from the 1980s "glory days" I hope my son does not do he same things in his car that I did in this one

**Steve Firebird** · 03-10-2006

Here she is in 2003 just before i toook her apart. What was I thinking!

**Roger Poirier** · 03-10-2006

Been there, done that....

R.P.

**Steve Firebird** · 03-12-2006

Misc shots of the project

**Steve Firebird** · 03-12-2006

Here is some more info

Engine

Block: 1971 455 .040 over bore. ARP main stud kit

Rods and crank factory pieces rods were reconditioned shot peened used ARP bolts

BOP urethane rear main seal

Rotating assembly was balanced

high volume oil pump

Heads

1971 #96 90cc chambers should be around 10.1 compression

Ported gasket matched heat cross over filled one piece SS valves ARP studs roller tipped rockers

Summit 2802 cam 224/234 duration .465/.488 lift 114 LSA (at .050)

Transmission

Tremec TKO 600

Centerforce dual friction clutch

Fuel System

750 Quadrajet carburetor custom built by Cliff and ¾” spacer

16 gal fuel cell in trunk with grounding strap.

Mallory comp 140 fuel pump with return style regulator

Mallory canister style fuel filter

½” fuel and return lines

Fuel pump set up with relay to oil pressure switch. If oil pressure is lost pump shuts down.

Ram Air cold air induction

Ignition

MSD Billet Distributor

MSD 6AL box

MSD wires

MSD coil

Cooling

Rodney Red aluminum radiator with custom laser cut aluminum shroud

Custom built billet serpentine belt system also by Rodney Red

Lincoln Mark VII electric fan set up with thermostatic switch

Ram Air exhaust manifolds ceramic coated with X pipe and 2.5 inch dual exhaust

Rear End

9” ford rear end with 3:25 gears and an Auburn Gear posi unit

Disc brake conversion from TMC

Pinion mounted parking brake from TMC

Suspension

All bushings and body mounts are polyurethane

Edelbrock gas shocks

Subframe connectors and traction bars

**trapin** · 03-12-2006

It beautiful. What color blue is that?

**Steve Firebird** · 03-12-2006

The body is a color they used on the Dodge Vipers. The body man calls it viper blue. The frame is a 1998 jag color minus the metalic.

**Hammered** · 03-12-2006

Nice to see yet another Pontiac. I almost went Viper Blue on mine - it's a great color.

John

**Steve Firebird** · 03-15-2006

Thanks I have always liked blue. Your car looks great what color blue is yours? I bought mine back in 1981 also and I just put in a TKO 600 this winter. Great minds think alike? I would like to take a look at yours someday. Steve

**Hammered** · 03-15-2006

Steve,

Thanks for the compliments. I chose a 2004 Nissan 350ZX Blue. I think the color is called Blue Pearl. From everything I've heard, the TKO will make the car much more driveable. Kettering is just 20 miles south of the Dayton Airport where the National Firebird and TA show is every year. If you are down this way for that or any other reason, I'd love to show you the car. I may even have it streetworthy by then

John

**Steve Firebird** · 03-15-2006

Your car is close the the color I picked out at first as well. I was looking at the blue you see on the turbo PT crusier and the subaru WRX blue also. The body guy showed me the Viper blue and I said go for it. It has a huge amount of flake in it but they are small. The car changes color alot in different lighting. I have been to the TA Nats twice. I had my 68 there in 2003 when it was black and I rode with a friend in 2004 in his 68 convert 400 HO. It was a good time. I was hoping to have my car ready for this summer but since it's 2 years behind right now I am not getting my hopes up untill it's back home and in my control. If I am going to the TA nats this year I will drop you a line for sure.

**Brian-Blade** · 03-16-2006

Who makes that center dash gauge pac mount ?
I am digging that

**CliffS** · 03-16-2006

Originally Posted by Brian-Blade

Who makes that center dash gauge pac mount ?
I am digging that

Looks like a Covan's dash. Keep the pics coming Steve!

**Brian-Blade** · 03-16-2006

Originally Posted by cliff6870

Looks like a Covan's dash. Keep the pics coming Steve!

Ya thats it , I never noticed that center one on thier website before

**Steve Firebird** · 03-16-2006

Brian it was from Covan but I got it through performance years for 120.00. I have a vintage air heater/ defroster behind the dash and wanted some thing to cover the center section. I would give anyone thinking about buying it a word of warning. I had to cut the radio bezel to install the lower gauges not a big deal to me but some people won’t want to. I also had to come up with a way to mount it since nothing is supplied and no instruction came with it.

**Hammered** · 03-16-2006

Steve,

I may have met you and your friend in '04. I recall one of you talking about the rough ride of the car? Let me know if you make it again. I think this year will be too soon for me by at least a couple months.

John

**Brian-Blade** · 03-17-2006

Originally Posted by Steve Firebird

Brian it was from Covan but I got it through performance years for 120.00. I have a vintage air heater/ defroster behind the dash and wanted some thing to cover the center section. I would give anyone thinking about buying it a word of warning. I had to cut the radio bezel to install the lower gauges not a big deal to me but some people won’t want to. I also had to come up with a way to mount it since nothing is supplied and no instruction came with it.

Thanks for the info !

Enter your username:
Do you want to login or register?	I want to create an account To login, enter your password:
Enter your password:
Forgot your password?	Stay logged in

Login / Register Close Panel

Thread: My 68 Firebird project

Display

My 68 Firebird project

A few more pics

Here are some more details of the rebuild will add more later