1968 Firebird 400

[68400BIRD]

Nice build! I'm happy to see someone else besides me doing a real Pontiac engine in their car. It seems as though everyone is hopping on the LS bandwagon these days.

I agree 100%. I like the torque of the Pontiac motors. I'm trying to stay mostly old school. But, I will put an overdrive in it down the road along with EFI. But it will still look stock.

[Buryingthesun]

Car is looking great! I recommend looking into a good set of aluminum heads, But the #62 heads you are tossing on are great flowing heads.

[68400BIRD]

Car is looking great! I recommend looking into a good set of aluminum heads, But the #62 heads you are tossing on are great flowing heads.

These heads have more done to them than you can imagine. A good friend of mine who builds motors for a living through every trick that he knows at these heads. I spent all my spare time this last week bolting on the rebuilt heads and everything up from there. The intake which was ported/polished and gasket matched would not fit on the heads. It was hitting the valley pan in a few spots. I had to break out a small grinder and grind down the lower edge on the ports. I finished bolting everything up today. The same friend came over and set all the valve lash. Car started up on the first try. I was a very happy person today.

http://vid319.photobucket.com/albums...psdylnz0mr.mp4

[68400BIRD]

A few pictures of the motor put back together.



Little video of the first drive after the upper rebuild

[blade]

looks great!

[Dannnn]

Nice build! I'm happy to see someone else besides me doing a real Pontiac engine in their car. It seems as though everyone is hopping on the LS bandwagon these days.

x2
I seriously thought for a long time about replacing my '67 Firebird's 326 with an LS. I probably would have without any reservations if it were a Camaro. I know it's all GM but there's undeniably something unique about it being a Pontiac.

I feel lucky I found a 428 and then proceeded to go nuts with CNC ported Edelbrock heads, port matched performer manifold, hyd. roller cam, etc.. I'm pretty sure I would have more HP if I had put all that $$$ into an LS but with enough aftermarket speed equipment available now, I'm really happy with the Pontiac in a Pontiac choice.

[Donovan]

Great thread. Excellent work!

What color is that? Windward blue poly?

[rohrt]

Wow wish my engine compartment could stay looking that nice.

[68400BIRD]

Great thread. Excellent work!

What color is that? Windward blue poly?

It's 2006 Camaro Aqua Blue. It took me years to finally find that blue. I had a 2006 Camaro drive by me in a car show. I followed him by foot half way across the car show to figure out the paint code. The paint code was only offered for half of the year.

- - - Updated - - -

Wow wish my engine compartment could stay looking that nice.

That's what happens when you don't get to drive it very often. LOL

[Bennsb]

Wow! Nice job. Strange seeing you do all the things I have been knowing I'll have to do with mine. My rear seat is in the exact same condition yours was. It had a hole chewed through the front and a ton of nesting trash everywhere. I've got weld in that same corner. Amazing work, I know all that goes into it, haha! Can't wait until I get to drive mine around. Beautiful car.

[Dons67]

very nice - where did you get your air cleaner? i"ve been looking for one like that - was about to make one from a cake pan lol

[68400BIRD]

very nice - where did you get your air cleaner? i"ve been looking for one like that - was about to make one from a cake pan lol

Here is an ebay link. They are a little pricey.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-1968-FI...FWyomi&vxp=mtr

[68400BIRD]

Wow! Nice job. Strange seeing you do all the things I have been knowing I'll have to do with mine. My rear seat is in the exact same condition yours was. It had a hole chewed through the front and a ton of nesting trash everywhere. I've got weld in that same corner. Amazing work, I know all that goes into it, haha! Can't wait until I get to drive mine around. Beautiful car.

Thanks for the compliments I do appreciate them. Ask if you have any questions about my build and I will be glad to try and help.

[Dons67]

thanks!

didn't realize it was specific to the ram air hood - probably wouldn't work with a camaro cowl hood - cake pan it is - ha ha

[68400BIRD]

I guess it has been along time since I have posted on my own thread. Kids and family take up a lot of time but it is all worth it. I have been driving the car and just enjoying it.
I replaced the carburetor about two years ago with a Holley 750 to help with the hot starts. Solved that issue but now I have a little stutter off of the line. I had it looked at by a friend who builds high end race engines. Sounds like my converter is a little to tight. So, I had a 200-4R built for it last winter with a higher stall converter. This will replace my turbo 400 with a stock converter. I am still waiting on the computer from B&M to make the swap. I will wait until winter now as I do not want to tear the car down in the middle of summer. I also noticed about a 3/4" lean in the back of the car. I pulled the Landrum leafs out and replaced them with Hotchkis. I still have not put the car on the ground yet but I could see a difference in the two old leafs that I pulled out.

[Steve68]

Great build, color and wheels, plenty to learn about and change after its done!