1971 Firebird455 - Project

[LeighP]

Thanks for that...I'll definately keep that in mind...might even buy in a second set of caps to modify like that.

[LeighP]

Very happy with my powdercoating......inner fenders, radiator support, all the engine accessory brackets and pulleys.
All came out very nice. I had a panelbeater repair the inner fenders and fill all the unnecessary holes.

LH Inner Fender

RH Inner Fender

Radiator Support

[John Wright]

The PC'd parts look great!

[70fireturd]

Clean looking car. Kudos on the rear seat belts that is a great idea. I was wondering, where did you find those polyurethane motor mounts for a pontiac motor. I could not find poly mounts anywhere? I also noticed those are the clam shell type mounts instead of the 1970-73 mounts where the rubber mounts to the block. How did you line those up on you 71 sub frame since the early mounts have different bolt holes. Thanks Zach

[tcronkright]

Great job Leigh. The gauges are incredible - the look and feel are amazing. I would have opted for these had I known.

One question, what model DSE wiper motor did you purchase?

Keep up the excellent work, this is a well-thought build.

[bonecrrusher]

Nice powder coating... I have a similiar exhaust on my C6 - the Z06 and ZR1 have vacccum operated mufflers that open up at 3500 rpm!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y33MDL5cnxQ

[LeighP]

Clean looking car. Kudos on the rear seat belts that is a great idea. I was wondering, where did you find those polyurethane motor mounts for a pontiac motor. I could not find poly mounts anywhere? I also noticed those are the clam shell type mounts instead of the 1970-73 mounts where the rubber mounts to the block. How did you line those up on you 71 sub frame since the early mounts have different bolt holes. Thanks Zach

Hi, they're actually Chevy 2nd gen clamshell inserts...they don't make specific ones for Pontiacs. You have to trim off the small metal flanges that poke out the ends of the inserts...they are for chevy motor mount brackets and will not let the Pontiac mount brackets fit properly.
The reason they were easy to use is that my car has a 75+ Camaro subframe under it....the 71 Firebird frame was a little chopped up when someone tried to convert the car to right hand drive....I'm planning ot save it later as a spare, but it was just easier to swap in the Chevy frame....all the later 2nd gen frames have all the holes for Chev/Pontiac/Olds engines.

They are Energy Suspension part 3.1116

[LeighP]

Great job Leigh. The gauges are incredible - the look and feel are amazing. I would have opted for these had I known.

One question, what model DSE wiper motor did you purchase?

Keep up the excellent work, this is a well-thought build.

Thanks.
The DSE kit is for hidden wipers for a 71 Camaro....the only difference I can see is that the switch mount they supply to located their new switch in the dash has to be reworked to suit a Firebird....other than that, it all apears to be the same as a Camaro.

[LeighP]

Pulled out the rear axle yesterday, stipped down the brakes etc.
Went to pull the axles to take off the backing plates - first hurdle, the retaining pin screwed out ok...was a little tight, but it didn't break...cool!
Then...the centre pin, which should just slide out (like it has for the other diffs I've worked on) had to be driven out with a punch, then pulled with a slide hammer to get it far enough out that I could remove the axles....its all worn and torn up where it was riding aganst both of the spider gears....not that thats really too much of an issue...doesn't appear to have hurt the carrier and all the centre gears and pinion shaft are replaced by the Richmond Powertrax unit that I'm fitting. I fished a couple of pieces of shim out of the oil as well...guess I know why those spider gears were wearing the pinion.

[LeighP]

I picked up my dash from the restoration guys....they did a great job repairing and reskinning...they also dyed the plastic panels, grab handle and painted the ash tray so it all matched.





And I also received a shipment of GEN II Racing Product parts, which included the my new adjustable Pro-G-Braces for the subframe to cowl.....

Fully adjustable and larger diameter than the regular G-Braces.....cool stuff.

I'm really happy that I can now get back into this project...its been a long 6 month lay off while I moved house and got settled in...of course, moving house has sucked up some of my project cash....grrrr, that'll slow me down a little while the funds recover.

[tcronkright]

Thanks for the wiper info. That confirmed what I was going to order.

You did the exact same thing with your dash as I did to mine. I want a simple and classic look in the interior. Nice work!

[PonchoJohn]

Looks Great, Leigh! That dash came out really nice!

[LeighP]

Yeah, Randy Combs restored the facia for me...looks great.

[96t/acj]

WOW for a home built car this is great! VERY NICE WORK!

[bonecrrusher]

Looking good!

[cdoggy81]

What's word from down under?

[LeighP]

I'm still waiting to get the rear axle back from having the tubes welded so I can soda blast it and paint it prior to being rebuilt.
I did design and have a guy I know (with an engineering shop) make up some brackets which will allow me to mount the rear sway bar drop links.
This is the finished bracket....drilled and tapped so the sway bar bracket bolts to this piece instead of the rail.


In position and bolted up.



ECS system is all cleaned up ready to go when I fit the tank.

New GEN II GT leaf springs are fitted ,waiting on the rear axle. I think I'll hang the KONIs on the weekend so its all ready to go.

[OLDFLM]

GREAT idea on the rear sway bar mounts! I actually had the U-bolt pull thru the factory frame rail holes on my car n the early 90s! You should market those brackets my friend!!

[LeighP]

Thanks....I'll make sure everything works OK when all bolted up....if its all OK, I'll see about having a few pairs made up (they are slightly different left and right).

[Doug1]

Leigh,

Been out of it here lately with some personal issues. I'll send a PM. Just getting back into the swing of things. You are doing a really great job on your car. I'm very impressed!