Another Firebird project

[rickpaw]

hurry up and break out the 1200 grit!!!! LOL



Looks great.

Thanks man

[68400BIRD]

Looks good. Looks like someone put a A-body rear end in the car. What gears are on the posi unit?

[rickpaw]

Looks good. Looks like someone put a A-body rear end in the car. What gears are on the posi unit?

That's what I thought. But a couple of guys on the firebird forum said that in cars with 400 engine option, Pontiac used heavier duty rear end from A-body. The XE code is supposedly Firebird specifc, so the PO may have just swapped the gears. I hope it stays 3.08 since the car will be a cruiser. I'll check when I open the cover to put on new gasket.

[68400BIRD]

That's right. I forgot the 67 models did come with that rear end. I guess my mind is going as I get older. LOL

[72Chevelle454]

Nice....i've been wanting to go the 68 firebird route. Thats coming along nice!

[Donovan]

Hello Tu

This is Tommy... It was great meeting you today. I'll be in touch now, I'm hook on your project and can't wait to see what else you have in the works. I'll be glad to help if I can, PM me so we can get caught up once you have time and I'll tell you about me 68.

[rickpaw]

Hey Tommy,
It was great to meet you and the guys yesterday. I'll post some new pictures once I get home.

[mtgriz70]

Hey Tu, I met you along with Andy and Tommy on the 15th. The car looks great, and yes I look forward to seeing it finished, as I am sure you are. Take care, have a great Christmas visit, and keep in touch with us HALFers, whenever you can.

[rickpaw]

Well, here are some updates. I've been working on it off and on since last Thanksgiving.

Installed new Powermaster mini starter


Get ready to drop in the engine/tranny




Engine/tranny went in with no problem. Not having a front end helps.

[rickpaw]

Mocked up and welded up some adapter brackets to mount the Porsche bucket seats. Much improved over the stock seats. Just have to dye them black.


Started to dynamat the inside of the car, used up 2 bulk boxes to dynamat, plus a box of trunk kit to finish up the trunk.



Installed close cell sound insulation over the roof, dash area. I have another 3 boxes of Dynaliner to finish up the floor and firewall.




Also finish up the braking system. Now i have working brakes.

[rickpaw]

Started wiring up the car with American Autowire Classic update kit.

The new fuse box (has about double the number of circuits compared to the old one).


Installed DSE wiper switch with matching headlight switch


I've also decided to convert the stock throttle linkage to a cable set up, since the throttle rod is missing. I bought a complete Lokar kit.


Old gas pedal and brake pad.


New Lokar billet aluminum set up. I had to enlarge the firewall opening abit for the throttle linkage to fit properly


Cable linkage/bracket installed at the carb, along with the bracket for the kickdown switch.


I also upgraded the lighting in the garage, going from 2 compact flourescent lights to 4 4-ft shop lights. Makes a huge difference in lighting quality.


Next up is finishing up the wiring inside the car, and install the Vintage Air as soon as it comes in from Frank @ Prodigy Custom.

[Dons67]

Nice Project

[whayden2003]

Well just looked thru the whole post and I have to say great job on not only the work but I am very glad to see the great job of task management. You should be a example to all of how to start a job and finish it before moving on to something esle to often this is what happens to these great cars to many small jobs not finished turns a project to a basket case. Again great Job and thanks for taking the extra time to share it with us.

[rickpaw]

Well just looked thru the whole post and I have to say great job on not only the work but I am very glad to see the great job of task management. You should be a example to all of how to start a job and finish it before moving on to something esle to often this is what happens to these great cars to many small jobs not finished turns a project to a basket case. Again great Job and thanks for taking the extra time to share it with us.

Thanks. I like to start on small jobs on the car. That way I can easily finish it and move on to the next one. The body work on the car took a long time, and I've had to take a break from it. Glad that portion was over.

[67speedfreak]

Tu,
Just read thru the whole thread, car looks great ! Post some pics of the kicks installed when you get a chance.

Thanks,
Brian

[whayden2003]

Oh and you should change the title of the tread from another firebird project to "THE FIREBIRD PROJECT"

[Clutch93]

You do really great (and fast) work! this thing looks great! i had a question about the rear end. Is that lower arm on there to prevent axle wrap/wheel hop since it's a mono leaf car?

[rickpaw]

You do really great (and fast) work! this thing looks great! i had a question about the rear end. Is that lower arm on there to prevent axle wrap/wheel hop since it's a mono leaf car?

Clutch93,
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. The lower arm on the rear end is to prevent axle wrap. Automatic cars have one, whereas manual equipped cars have 2.

[rickpaw]

Some update. Been working steadily for the last few months.

Test fitted the front speakers and Screamin Performance kick panels. The panels are high quality and they fit great.







Picture of ds closeout panel



Driver side kick panel with speakers


Pass side

[rickpaw]

Installation of Vintage Air A/C

System as delivered.


Evaporator unit


Cut the dash for center vent


Center vent installed


Side vents




Evaporator installed


Compressor installed. I brought the lines to the local A/C shop and had them crimp the fittings


Modified the stock HVAC controls for V/A controls






I tried to install the radio, but the evaporator is in the way. Since radio is just a dummy and not working, I decided to do some surgery on the radio housing. After 5 mins with the cut off wheel, I have this.


Then everything got mounted up in the center dash. Just have to get a trim plate for the radio.