pro-touring '68 firebird...on a budget

[68firebird]

Got the tires mounted and put on the car. It looks like these will work for now, looks pretty good to me.







On a side note, now I can't open the hood, lol. Maybe because it's been on jack stands for so long. It pops open, but gets stuck and I can't lift it up. Any ideas what I should do to get it open?

[68firebird]

well it looks like we're back in the swing of things here!! I got the hood opened, I ended up just taking the whole latch bracket off. Might as well clean it up and paint it while thats out too. The hood was getting caught on the safety latch for some reason.

Here's a couple more pics with the center cap on.




so now that I've got it on all 4's I figured I'd pull the top of the motor apart and put some fresh gaskets in, put a new control module in the HEI and to replace some old hoses. I know, its not the best looking motor on the planet, but it does run really good, hahaha.


also, my wife did say she would pick the master cylinder and prop valve up for me very soon. so hopefully I can tie the brakes up soon.

I'd like to replace the seats with some newer front seats, anyone have any recommendations on seats that will fit in nicely?

[dusterbd13]

third gen camaro seats, or toyota solara seats. very comfy.....

im using lincoln mk8 buckets in my duster. incredibly comfy, inceredibly poorly bolstered.

[BCHALK22]

Great build man like the brakes and wheels.

[68firebird]

Great build man like the brakes and wheels.

Thank you! The rims are temporary, just had to pick something up cheap that would fit over the new rotors. when I say on a pro-touring on a budget, I mean a low budget, LOL. Doesn't compare to the rest of the high dollar builds on here. Just in the money most of the guys spend on rims and tires has me flabbergasted, and jealous, LOL.

[LeighP]

A build is a build....$'s don't make the car, imagination does.

[dusterbd13]

A build is a build....$'s don't make the car, imagination does.

exactly. i had to shelf the duster for the time being to build a new daily. so far ive git a grand in it and getting 37 mpg. and enjoyinng every mile with it.

a build is a build. enjoyment and serenity are where you get them, not what they cost you.

[Buryingthesun]

Nice project! looks just like my 67' But all my parts are in boxes because I want to drive the car for the summer and dig into it in the winter ;)

[68firebird]

Nice project! looks just like my 67' But all my parts are in boxes because I want to drive the car for the summer and dig into it in the winter ;)

That's exactly what my plans were 5 years ago lol, my priorities had changed for a bit. I'm gonna try really hard to get it going before the end of the local cruise night season this year though!

[68firebird]

Engine going back together. Once ita running and the brakes are working I'm gonna pull her out and power wash the rest of the motor.

[68400BIRD]

Looking great. It's nice to see progress on this car again. I understand the budget completely. I am going on four years on my build and I'm a few years away from being able to afford to paint it.

[acegto]

I know those wheels are a "temporary" fix, but the dark graphite/white color combo is a winner!!!

[67rally]

I'd like to replace the seats with some newer front seats, anyone have any recommendations on seats that will fit in nicely?

Car is looking good, glad to see you're back at it.

I just installed a set of ProCar Rally's in my '67 Camaro and love them. I know a few guys have kept their old seats and used the TMI sport foam and covers to keep the classic look but add a little side bolster.

[68firebird]

I agree acegto, I'm loving that color combo too.

Had the motor running today! Super excited! Just have a few things to fix, like leaky fuel filter, leak at a power steering fitting, and new belts, other than that it's running great, even with the old fuel that was in there. Gotta get the brakes fix ASAP, really gettin the bug now!!!

[68firebird]

Here's a small clip of it running, i'll post a link up in case the video doesn't show up.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4tj-HRsZKh8

Also I re- mounted the autometer tach into the stock bezel. I now need to pick up a speedometer for the other side. Also ordered a new fuel filter to replace the leaky one on there now.

[68firebird]

Out of curiosity, you guys that use autometer gauges in place of stock how do you wire in your turn signal indicator lights? do you just put an LED in and wire to that? same with the high beam indicator? One thing that I am very scared to screw up is the electrical, definitely not in my wheelhouse, and wiring in these guages is got me a bit nervous, LOL.

[dusterbd13]

yup. just three tiny LED's fpr those.

and if youre interested in a black, 5 inch, 200 mph speedo from autometer, i have one to let go of cheap.

[68firebird]

thanks for the info Michael. Thanks for the offer on the speedo too, but I'm gonna stick to using the phantom series, to keep it all uniform. though its tough to pass up on an offer like that, LOL.

[dusterbd13]

no problem. i do custom dasdhes and wiring as a side buisness, so im always willing to help.
especially when its not my fat butt crammed under the dash.



and usually i have leftovers laying around.

[68firebird]

no problem. i do custom dasdhes and wiring as a side buisness, so im always willing to help.
especially when its not my fat butt crammed under the dash.

and usually i have leftovers laying around.

Well that's good to know, I'm gonna have a bunch of questions on wiring when I get to it, I've never done that before on a car LOL! I just downloaded a bunch if wiring diagrams to try and figure out where all the wires are that I need.