1971 Firebird455 - Project

[LeighP]

Hi,



Its a DAYCO brand belt - marked "Top Cog Gold Label". I didn't buy it, it came with the accessory brackets that I bought as a set off Nitemare Performance since I didn't have any matching brackets.

I have enjoyed watching your build. Can you provide information concerning your waterpump/alternator belt? I haven't seen one like that. It looks wider with ridges on the outside.

I like it.

Dave

[LeighP]

Hi Michael,
Feel free, I'm sure I first saw that "look" on someone else's old school hot rod or custom back in the 70's. lol.

leigh: i love the look of your valve covers/motor. mind if i steal the idea for my mopar?

[SD455]

I couldn't find the distributor clamp, so I had to drive across to a big warehouse that stocked Pontiac stuff and grabbed one. I ended up getting a universal set of MSD wires so that I could trim them to suit. Spent the afternoon cutting, crimping and testing the wires...all of them came up with the right resistance for the lengths...WIN!

Some pics...because everyone likes pics....

Leigh,

Great build! What are you using for spark plug wire holders? They look really excellent,and I am currently replacing my wires. keep up the good work mate!

[LeighP]

I'm not sure exactly where I picked those lead holders up....been sitting in their packet in my parts stack for maybe 5 years or so. I think they're your typical "made in China" generic two piece lead holders...they have plenty of room for 8.5mm leads, so I guess they'd have no problem with 9mm leads as well.
I like the MSD leads, plenty of length in the "universal" pack and extra spare end fittings etc...easy to assemble if you take your time and check the crimp and resistance on each one as you go.
On no. 7 lead, I replaced the regular straight lead end at the plug with one of the spare 90 degree ends...its pretty tight in there.

[LeighP]

Had one of those annoying issues the other day that you get when you mix parts from different manufacturers....seems the production tolerances on my SFI flex plate and my Torque Converter ganged up on me.....the two PCDs were very slightly out of alignment.
Of course, this was something I didn't check and correct before assembly so I had some fun, on my back under the car with a dremel and a rotary burr slightly clearancing the flex plate holes....all three bolts are in and tight. Darned glad I didn't have to pull the gearbox out or something.

Was doing some small bits and pieces today...sorting out where to mount the coil and position the remote oil filter. I fitted up the shifter and got the cable rigged and set up. Works nice.




And before you ask...yes, there are a couple of reasons why the shifter is leaning to the left.
1. It lines the cable up to run cleanly through the factory hole without having to enlarge it.
2. I like the way it leans the shifter closer to where I sit....places the shifter ball right under my hand close to my leg....and since I'm building a custom console, it didn't really matter where the shifter is actually fitted.

[aronhk_md]

That looks SO good Leigh. Tell me about the custom console you are planning? I'd like to do one too. Would love to have a couple of cup holders, and a custom gauge pod (turbo...lots of gauges). Not sure whether I want to include the original arm rest lid and inner compartment.

[LeighP]

I'm planning a console that will drop down off the dash with a flat face for a double DIN stereo with navigation. It'll run all the way to the back (two pieces for easier fitting - split at the back of the front seats) and I'll mount the fire extinguisher on the top of it behind the front seats....arm rests front and rear....LED footwell lights in the back seat area on the sides of the console. If it works out that theres room in the front between the shifter and the arm rest, I'll mount a drink holder for me there - the passenger gets to hold their own, lol.
I was going to use an MDF frame and sheet alloy skin (covered in seat matching upholstery), but I've found this synthetic sheet material made for kitchen cupboards...water proof, heat proof, doesn't burn and its strong and light.....I'll use that to form the frame and epoxy and screw it all together.

[aronhk_md]

Sounds very interesting Leigh! Cant wait to see it. I have this HUGE roll of very thin fiberglass material sitting on a pallet. Probably enough to build a good sized boat. lol. I think I am going to try to make a mold for my design, and then I have a friend who works with fiberglass and he can hopefully help me one evening lay it down. Still its likely to be a winter project at this point. Going to extend it back like you are, but since my rollcage makes it tough to sit back there anyway (they can, but you have to slide under the cage bar) I'm not too concerned with creature comforts back there and will likely use it to mount speakers. Hopefully tweeters up front too.

[LeighP]

Another day of tinkering...between putting my feet up and enjoying a nice Sunday at home... :-D

Got the accelerator pedal in and mounted - its an aftermarket piece so it wasn't just a matter of bolting it in and going. That let me set up the Lokar cables for the carby.
I'm going to adopt a saying I heard from another thread here.....
"Anything sold as "bolt-in", isn't!"




As of 21 August, this is what I'm up to -

[Doug1]

Nice work as always Leigh. It won't be too long before you are crusing. That is turning out to be one sweet ride!

[LeighP]

Thanks, I hope it all turns out well....trying my best, although I'm counting on a "shake down/fix the glitch" period after its on the road...lol.

[LeighP]

More tinkering after work.....
Got the radiator and shroud cleaned up, painted and fitted. Bolted on the twin fan pack and sorted the hoses. Looks more like a real engine bay now.
I want to hang some panels on the weekend so I can fit up another couple of things without worrying if I'm going to foul the fenders or nose.



the fitting in the top radiator hose is an inline filter with a stainless mesh removable element....guy here in my city has been making and selling these for years. With a brand new alloy radiator in there, I want to keep any junk out of the core.

[syborg tt]

It's been a while since I've had time to look at this thread. I can say this car is looking great.

[LeighP]

Thanks for your kind words.

I picked up my custom built drive shaft on Friday....full 3", heavy duty with thicker wall tube. Am running the larger 1350 solid universals with Strange yokes.
Decided to paint it with a factory look, colour code on the shaft should actually be orange/white/yellow for a 455 auto, but since mines a tougher shaft, I've gone for a custom code of orange/white/orange.....well, plus I didn't have any yellow paint laying around....lol.

[aronhk_md]

Looking great Leigh......its looking like a car! lol You had me there for a second....I was thinking, "hmmm...why is he saying it should be orange white orange? Was this paint scheme used for some upgraded package?" But then I kept reading.....lol

[LeighP]

So, added the driveshaft....always a moment of doubt that its going to fit when they're a custom build, but it went in there perfectly.
Hung the fenders so I can work out clearances when I'm adding accessories and other stuff under the hood....looked good, so I hung the nose, too.


So, I dragged my young bloke away from his home work for a hand and....ta-da!!!! It looks like a car! :shock:


been more than 20 years since its been in one piece...so to speak....

[Code Red]

looking good man, though I prefer the metallic blue engine paint instead of the baby blue ;-)

[aronhk_md]

wow Leigh....it DOES look like a car! I'm thinking that completion....while not right around the corner......isnt that far off.

[LeighP]

Thanks guys...yeah, big morale boost seeing it all in one piece again....even if the panel/paint guys are going to have to strip it all down again, lol.

I was originally going to use the metallic light blue colour on the engine that was in use up to 1970, but its really hard to get that colour...VHT have dropped it and the only guy with stocks of it wanted $30+ a can. The light blue is correct for my year model anyway, so thats OK by me.

[68400BIRD]

Looks geat as always Leigh. I'm keeping a close pace with you. I would like to start hanging the front clip to make sure everything fits correctly to. Which I know it won't. LOL It's been a lot of fun to watch your car come along. Can't wait to see the rims on it.