69 Firebird Build

[pchdrive]

Wow how time flies! This weekend marks the 3-year anniversary of when I picked up the '69 project.

I am on vacation alone this week (kids are at summer camp and the wife is working), so I hope to make lots of progress on the Bird! My body shop is getting the fenders in primer and the inners/core support in final paint. I hope to have the front end on by the end of this week!

Here's some progress I made in the engine bay:






I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend!

Phil

Hey Phil,
Wow! Time has really flown. I look forward to seeing some progress pics for this week......Hope it has been productive.
Rich

[69TAPoser]

Hey Rich! Nice to hear from you. How is the truck project coming along?

As expected, I am waiting on the bodyshop for my radiator support and additional parts so that I can mount the radiator. They are also painting the door hinges so that I can get the doors mounted. I hope to have them today or tomorrow. Most likely tomorrow.

I have been working out a few small things including re-adjusting my front seats (they were too close to the dash) and fixing a power steering fluid leak.

Also, I have started to address some of the issues that have popped up along the way...

I installed my steering shaft for the rack and it hits not 1 header tube, but 3 (just my luck). So I am now having custom stainless headers made. Anyone ever use: http://www.stainlessheaders.com/customheaders ? I spoke with them yesterday and they are sending me their mock-up kit.

Here is what the mock-up kit looks like:


And here is the finished product of the above mock-up:


Another issue that I have is due to the big bearing Ford 9" rear end I am using, my Moser axles have a large 3" diameter flange and the hub bore on my wheels is about 1/8" smaller in diameter. This results in the wheel not sitting all the way down on the Wilwood rotor hats. I spoke with Bonspeed and their wheels don't use the axle flange for centering the wheel, so they recommend having the axle flange machined down to clear the wheels. I just need to see if the machine shop that I use can turn the axles. Just a heads up, let your wheel company know if you are using a Ford 9" rearend. This somehow got missed in the ordering process.

If a have any good pics to post of progress, I will post them later this week.

Phil

[SamHatco]

Man, Phil those headers are a work of art. They will really pop with the engine. Great progress. It seems like just when you have everything worked out on a project plan something throws you a curve ball. Keep it up. I bet you can't wait to see some doors and fenders on the car.

Sam

[68400BIRD]

Great progress. I hope I do not run into to many things that need to be redone. I plan on installing my complete suspension and drive train to mock everything up and then take it all back out. At that point I will have all of the brackets,lines, and rear end figured out. I hope. LOL Keep up the great work.

[pchdrive]

Hey Rich! Nice to hear from you. How is the truck project coming along?

As expected, I am waiting on the bodyshop for my radiator support and additional parts so that I can mount the radiator. They are also painting the door hinges so that I can get the doors mounted. I hope to have them today or tomorrow. Most likely tomorrow.

I have been working out a few small things including re-adjusting my front seats (they were too close to the dash) and fixing a power steering fluid leak.

Also, I have started to address some of the issues that have popped up along the way...

I installed my steering shaft for the rack and it hits not 1 header tube, but 3 (just my luck). So I am now having custom stainless headers made. Anyone ever use: http://www.stainlessheaders.com/customheaders ? I spoke with them yesterday and they are sending me their mock-up kit.

Here is what the mock-up kit looks like:


And here is the finished product of the above mock-up:


Another issue that I have is due to the big bearing Ford 9" rear end I am using, my Moser axles have a large 3" diameter flange and the hub bore on my wheels is about 1/8" smaller in diameter. This results in the wheel not sitting all the way down on the Wilwood rotor hats. I spoke with Bonspeed and their wheels don't use the axle flange for centering the wheel, so they recommend having the axle flange machined down to clear the wheels. I just need to see if the machine shop that I use can turn the axles. Just a heads up, let your wheel company know if you are using a Ford 9" rearend. This somehow got missed in the ordering process.

If a have any good pics to post of progress, I will post them later this week.

Phil

Hey Phil,
The truck (aka tow vehicle/parts hauler) is coming along nice. Here is pic of it.

Here is link to build thread. It is going home soon (in primer) for install of LQ9 6.0/4L80E.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...252364&page=12

Those headers look awesome man.
Please be careful when you start up/break in that nice engine. Be sure to use EOS. The 462 in our bird is running like crap now backfiring through the carb. Timing seems OK so I have this pit in my stomach that the flat tappet cam has gone flat. Need to get it to my engine guy to confirm but have been dreading it. If that's the case it will need a complete tear down after only 5,500 miles.
Oh well......
Take care,
Rich

[Motown 454]

Headers look sweet Phil. They'll really shine in your engine bay.

[69TAPoser]

Truck is looking awesome Rich! You are going to have 2 projects done before I finish 1! I did pick up my next project though, a rolling '73 Camaro shell from CA that is solid (http://www.73camarobuild.com). I will start on this when the 'Bird goes to paint jail this winter.

Sorry to hear about the flat tappet cam issue. Guys with those cams around here are running the Valvoline VR1 racing oil with higher zinc or they are running an oil additive. What were you using for oil? My '69 has a hydraulic roller cam, so I hope to avoid the lobe wear issue.

Thanks Wayne, I will post some pics of the mock-up process and the results.

Phil

[69TAPoser]

No new pics worth posting yet, but I have been working hard on the Bird.

The radiator support is in and I have created brackets to mount the AFCO alum radiator. The rad is at my welder's shop where he is tigging the brackets on.

Also, the rear axles are at the machine shop where they are taking care of the wheel interference issue. Should have them back tomorrow.

The fenders are repaired and the inner fenders have been blasted and are almost ready for paint. My hinges are being prepped for paint....the doors are the next to get installed.

I have been doing lots of research on driveline angles as I am getting ready to locate the pinion angle of the rear axle (I am using the DSE adjustable pads). I am measuring and getting ready to order my drive shaft from CC5Speed. They have recommended a 3.5" aluminum drive shaft based on my HP.

Talk about project creep...the picture below just blew me away. I may change my stripe color. What do you guys think....

Flat black stripes:


Or stick with the silver stripes...?



Which way would you go?

[hdesign]

Phil, I still like the silver stripes better.

[pchdrive]

Phil,
Listen to Ben and stick with silver.
Rich

[SamHatco]

Silver, no question about it.

Sam

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

flat black..

[gto406]

I am with Mr. V, flat black! Sweet looking 'Bird Phil, btw!

[cdoggy81]

Try to tie the stripe in with the shade / color of the inside of your rims. Silver rims = silver stripe. Black rims = black stripe...
Good stuff so far!!! :-)

[Motown 454]

I thought you were going to say that was your newest project. lol I like the black stripes. Either way you can't go wrong..

[69TAPoser]

I thought you were going to say that was your newest project. lol I like the black stripes. Either way you can't go wrong..

LOL Wayne. I wish I had the coin to get a new Camaro right now. It's all going into the Bird!

Phil

[69TAPoser]

Okay, thanks guys! I will stick to the plan (silver stripes).

Today I set my pinion angle and measured for the drive shaft. I will be ordering the shaft on Monday.

I also pulled the rear out as I was using the adjustable DSE leaf pads and they need to be welded now that the angle has been set. While it's out, the welder will also add 2 brake line mounts then it will go to the powdercoater.

I got the radiator back from the Welder and will get that mounted tomorrow and post some pics.

Phil

[69TAPoser]

Radiator support and radiator installed...






...still need to cleanup the bracket welds a bit.

Inner fenders aren't installed as they are being painted.

Phil

[69TAPoser]

Rearend housing blasted, powdercoated, and installed:



Driveshaft from Inland Empire (alum. 3.5" with a 1350 pinion universal):

[SamHatco]

Progress!! Don't you just love it? Looking good Phil.

Sam