69 Firebird Build

[69TAPoser]

442- I need to update the injury page...there have been more! Lots of scrapes and bruises.

For now, I am thinking of keeping the interior stock with the exception of adding shoulder belts. I have a really nice original console that is hard to find and it would be a shame not to use. I was thinking some aftermarket seats covered to match the stock vinyl, but I will start with the stock seats 1st. Nice dash, btw. Had I thought about it a bit more, I may have gone with new old school style gauges instead of buying repro stuff.

zman- I hear ya on the car being too far gone. I felt as though I was too far into it to start looking for another shell and the reality is, most of the ones avail would have a lot of the same issues (qtrs, floors, rockers, etc). At least this way I know it is all metal and straight! I am fortunate that I have become friends with my local shop owner so he takes car of me (as well as a body shop can). He gets my stuff through pretty quick. I have read so many stories of projects sitting at the body shop for years!

Deuce - I ordered right from browell. Ask for Scott he is in the back actually fabbing their stuff. If you have a Ford or Chevy, they will have one on the shelf. They had to make my alignment tool from a chevy tool as the Pontiac stuff is diff. They charged me the "off the shelf price" which is $125 + ship.

Thanks for the compliments too!

Phil

[steve g]

How many square feet of Dynamat did you use? I'm debating pulling out everything under the dash and doing the firewall as well, or just doing from the bottom of the steering column to the bottom of the rear seat back.

[69TAPoser]

How many square feet of Dynamat did you use? I'm debating pulling out everything under the dash and doing the firewall as well, or just doing from the bottom of the steering column to the bottom of the rear seat back.

Hi Steve - Sorry for the delayed response...I didn't see your question. I used about 2.5 bulk boxes and I covered the entire floor up to the bottom of the cowl, the rear qtr window area, and the entire roof. I have .5 box left that I plan on using on the doors.

Made a little progress over the weekend. The McLeod clutch is in. I just need to re-install the bellhousing/clutch fork. Once I do this I can bolt the tranny up and get it in the car!





Phil

[hectore3]

Looks good brother! Just to let you know me and Jeff are heading to Norwalk this weekend. You need anything over there?

[69TAPoser]

Looks good brother! Just to let you know me and Jeff are heading to Norwalk this weekend. You need anything over there?

Hey Hectore-

I didn't see your post until tonight and I think you are already gone. I wish I could have gone...but it is probably best I did not. I am sure there will be too many tempting ways to spend money on expensive parts that I don't need (is there such a thing?)!

Give an update when you get back, I am anxious to hear how it was. And let me know what you bring back!

Phil

[69TAPoser]

After 2 mos of messing around with the Lakewood Scattershield, the TKO600 is finally bolted up!!! I am hoping to get it in the car by the end of of the week!





Phil

[Beegs]

Phil, I had to turn my shifter 180 to put it in the stock location on my 69 Camaro. (Don't ask me how I know) Just thought I would mention it.

[69TAPoser]

Phil, I had to turn my shifter 180 to put it in the stock location on my 69 Camaro. (Don't ask me how I know) Just thought I would mention it.

Thanks for the heads up Beegs. That is actually not the shifter that I will be using, it is the one that came on the tranny. CC5Speed send me an offset one that should line up.

Phil

[F70t/a]

Love that motor bro!!!!

[Motown 454]

Looks awsome Phil, you must be nipping at the bit to get it in and running. When are you planning on having it in? Looks like a nice setup. I look forward to your next update Wayne

[69TAPoser]

Had to pull the headers to wedge the motor and tranny in, but the final clearance is pretty good (tight at the heater core though). Still need to install the crossmember for the TKO-600 and cut the opening in the new floor.






Phil

[curly]

Following this build has made me really want my truck and shop to be paid off (the only way I can talk the wife into letting me start a build like this ).

Your firebird is looking better all the time!!

[MrQuick]

Looks good Phil.Gonna be an awesome ride.

How much engine set back are you using. Looks like you can pull the heater core out and cut the tubes and braze them in to turn to the drivers side. Either that or run a big block heater core.

[pchdrive]

Looking real good Phil!
That's a major task outta the way. Clears up space in the garage to boot.

[restomodbird69]

i am impressed.

[rohrt]

Your build is awsome. Your engine is one of the cleanest pontiacs I have seen. I like the black valve covers too.

[Beegs]

Phil, I just picked up my PHR!!! Nice ink on your car!

Give me a shout before you cut your floor. I just did mine and I would be able to make it perfect if I had to do it over again! LOL

Call me at the house 664-2347

[69TAPoser]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

MrQuick - the engine location is stock (stock frame supports with Mighty Mount engine mounts). I still need to measure for clearance, but I probably have a little more than the pic suggests. It is close, but the picture angle makes it look worse. I was thinking about threading the tubes...should have thought more about that before putting the motor in! I will most likely pull the core out and may also tweak the tubes as you suggest.

Beegs - I had planned on drilling 4 small holes up from the bottom at each corner of the shifter, then "connect the dots" with a cutoff wheel from the top. How did you do yours? I can give you a call tonight.

Phil

[dropit69]

wow thats looking freaking sweet..cant wait to see it finished !!!!!!!

[69TAPoser]

Got the tranny crossmember in, but I am having some tranny fitment issues.

The motor/tranny need to move forward about 1.5" and the tranny mount is making the tranny hits the tunnel. The motor is not bolted down yet (but the bolts are in the mounts). The motor definitely is angled a bit to one side, which I still need to address. I plan on calling CC5Speed tomorrow to get some advice on the crossmember alignment and the tunnel clearance:



I picked up a Kwik-Lift over the weekend, so now that I have more room under the car, I snapped some underside shots:





Phil