1968 Firebird 400

[68400BIRD]

You're moving right along

Thanks John, hows that pole shed of yours coming along?????

[John Wright]

My building is still in the same configuration as it was last Fall...it's just whiter at the moment. Buried in snow.

[rickpaw]

Looks good Rob. I'm in the middle of rebuilding the frame and front suspension as well.

[68400BIRD]

Looks good Rob. I'm in the middle of rebuilding the frame and front suspension as well.

LOL Remember to put the engine mount brackets on the frame before installing the lower control arm. Another thing I wish I had done was trial fit the control arms. I found after everything was painted that you need to go in with threaded rod and two nuts and spread out the lower braces for the control arms. Also install the front sway bar before the motor goes in. It is a little easier before hand.

[rickpaw]

Yup. I almost installed the arms before the mounts. I was just fitting the arms into place and noticed the arms blocking the bolt holes for the engine mounts.

Had to re-compress the spring and lower the arm on one side to install the bigger sway bar.

[68400BIRD]

I hope to have the car on all four wheels by the end of this month. The subframe is bolted up and I started running more of the ss gas and brake lines.


A little trial fit of some rims and tires from my last car.



I think the back tires are going to be to wide. I can either buy different tires or go back to the Rally II's.

[wmhjr]

Is that a new fuel line from Right Stuff laying under the car?

[68400BIRD]

Is that a new fuel line from Right Stuff laying under the car?

Thats a brake line from inline tube. The gas line is on the other side and is also from inline tube. Having some problems with figuring out what clips go where. They all come in one package and they have no reference.

[wmhjr]

Thats a brake line from inline tube. The gas line is on the other side and is also from inline tube. Having some problems with figuring out what clips go where. They all come in one package and they have no reference.

Gotcha. I've used both of them. Inline tube made my fuel lines for me, and I used a couple pieces of brake line from Right Stuff. Both good quality - though Inline tube screwed up my order. I clearly stated 1/2" supply line with an 8AN front connection and no AN on the rear. 4AN on the front of the return but not on the back. My order form and invoice clearly specified it - including the copy that came back with the lines (supply and return). Both came with ANs on both ends. Problem is that there's no friggin way to get an 8AN fitting through the boxed frame around the front. Had to cut the supply line and put a compression fitting on it. Not terrible since I'm running a RobbMC mechanical pump up front instead of an electric in the back - otherwise I'd have made them pick it up, fix it and return it. I think it'll handle what I'm doing, but probably I wouldn't be comfortable if I were pressurizing that supply line from the tank.

Have fun working with that stuff! It's loads of fun (not).

[rickpaw]

I hope to have the car on all four wheels by the end of this month. The subframe is bolted up and I started running more of the ss gas and brake lines.


A little trial fit of some rims and tires from my last car.



I think the back tires are going to be to wide. I can either buy different tires or go back to the Rally II's.

Rob,
On those exhaust manifold, where did you get them, and did you have to get the oil adapter bracket to clear the pass side manifold?

[wmhjr]

To my knowledge, the best aftermarket cast manifolds for Pontiacs are from Ram Air Restorations. They've got all kinds including long branches, etc. Very good quality.

[John Wright]

Rob, I know you're getting excited...it's looking more like a car everyday...woot!

[68400BIRD]

Rob, I know you're getting excited...it's looking more like a car everyday...woot!

John, Thanks, the project is getting to be more fun each day. I can't wait to get it sitting back down on all fours.

[68400BIRD]

Yea, I'm having fun just trying to figure out the clip kits that I bought. It seems that my order was also goofed up. They sent me a bag of return line clips when I told them that I need a kit to install the fuel line that I ordered. I ordered a single 3/8 fuel line. Now I'm being told that they do not have a fuel line clip set and that I will have to search there clips and order them singly. They joys of rebuilding a 40 year old car. LOL

[wmhjr]

The quality of the stuff at Inline Tube is great. It's just the details that make it frustrating sometimes.

You'll get it. I had an advantage. My car has a full frame so the plumbing could mainly be done before the body was on. That creates other challenges, but at least running lines was a little easier from that perspective.

[GM_muscle]

looking killer what the plan for paint color?

[68400BIRD]

looking killer what the plan for paint color?

2003 Corvette electron blue or 2004 corvette lemans blue. The color might be common for other years also.

[DYNODANNY]

Very cool build, I must feel good to do all the work yourself. Good work and keep at it.

[68400BIRD]

It's been almost a year since the car has been sitting on the ground. I bolted the wheels up that were on my 77 Camaro. I'm not sure if I'm going to go this route or not. The rear tires look a little wide. I think???





The rear tires at least do not stick out of the wheel wells. I know the car will come down an inch or two when all the weight is back on it. I also have the option of running a set of 15" Pontiac rally rims. I don't see having the money any time soon for a new set of fancy rims. Just not in the budget.

[rickpaw]

The rear tires do look wide. I like the look of the rally II better.

Did you get the front sway bar mounted?