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

[John Wright]

Ok, while installing the mounts I believe the welded nut under the drivers seat snapped

What snapped?...the bolt wrung off ? or is the caged nut just spinning around?

Caged nut spinning around is common...the factory traps the nut with sheetmetal and sometimes the weld breaks loose and lets the nut turn.....only seen one way to fix this, and that is to locate it under the seat and cut a hole in the floor pan(measure twice, cut once)...yuk, I know. Fix the nut/bolt(depending on what's wrong) and patch the hole back up.

[68400BIRD]

What snapped?...the bolt wrung off ? or is the caged nut just spinning around?

Caged nut spinning around is common...the factory traps the nut with sheetmetal and sometimes the weld breaks loose and lets the nut turn.....only seen one way to fix this, and that is to locate it under the seat and cut a hole in the floor pan(measure twice, cut once)...yuk, I know. Fix the nut/bolt(depending on what's wrong) and patch the hole back up.

John, the 1st gens are a little different. There is a seat platform that goes over the caged not. I would start with pulling the drivers seat,sill plates, and carpet on that side. Just push it over to the side. There will be a slot in the seat platform. Try soaking the nut and bolt for the next few days. Then try wedging a screwdriver or chisel between the cage and nut. Worse case is you will have to dremel through the top of the cage and just put a normal nut on top.

[John Wright]

John, the 1st gens are a little different. There is a seat platform that goes over the caged not. I would start with pulling the drivers seat,sill plates, and carpet on that side. Just push it over to the side. There will be a slot in the seat platform. Try soaking the nut and bolt for the next few days. Then try wedging a screwdriver or chisel between the cage and nut. Worse case is you will have to dremel through the top of the cage and just put a normal nut on top.

You lucky dogs(those with 1stgens)...you guys have a slot?

[ModernMuseum]

Hehe, don't sell it mange. One time I spent about three hours trying to get a bolt in my convertible top on the 69 because I didn't have anyone to help me. I was holding up half the weight of the top while fully extending my arm trying to get it in. I finally gave up and end up getting it in the next day.

[John Wright]

I expect the old rubber mounts had allowed the body to sag and then when you put the solid ones in, it changed the door gaps.

[Jim Nilsen]

Loosen the core support mounts and then align the fender to the door and then go back and tighten the core support where it wants to be, you may need to not have it so tight if it is still on the rubber mounts and if it is solid now you just need to shim it till you like it.

You are getting there and when your done you will know how to do it the next time a lot easier and there will be a next time so take notes.

[68firebird]

Loosen the core support mounts and then align the fender to the door and then go back and tighten the core support where it wants to be, you may need to not have it so tight if it is still on the rubber mounts and if it is solid now you just need to shim it till you like it.

You are getting there and when your done you will know how to do it the next time a lot easier and there will be a next time so take notes.

k thanks, that's what I'll do. The solids are in so I'll probably have to shim. Thanks so much for the help and positive vibes guys!

[70SS98SS]

looking good!! body does sag with old rubber mounts had similiar problem when I rebuilt the rear suspension in my chevelle.

[John Wright]

Do you have subframe connectors to install too?...if so, don't be surprised if they hit the floor....sometimes the body will sag enough that you have to reshape the floor to get the connectors up where they need to be.

[68firebird]

Do you have subframe connectors to install too?...if so, don't be surprised if they hit the floor....sometimes the body will sag enough that you have to reshape the floor to get the connectors up where they need to be.

yea, i've got global west connectors to install. I can't weld so I'm having someone do that for me.

Today I tackled some stuff that I had problems with, had a buddy come over and we fixed the gap issue, easy fix. then I lifted the carpet and saw the cage that the body mount nut sits in, it was all pushed out on the sides, which is why the nut was spinning. Thie main problem was I cross-threaded the nut, so I removed the nut and I'm heading out to get a replacement nut. back on the right track I hope.

[John Wright]

Glad you got it!

[68firebird]

I ended up getting a new grade 8 bolt (cause they didn't have a grade 5) and used that as a tap for the old nut and for the install. all body mounts are in, wooooo hooooo, I'm feeling better now, LOL. thanks for all your help guys!!

how come body mount bolts don't use grade 8? just curious

[Jim Nilsen]

I ended up getting a new grade 8 bolt (cause they didn't have a grade 5) and used that as a tap for the old nut and for the install. all body mounts are in, wooooo hooooo, I'm feeling better now, LOL. thanks for all your help guys!!

how come body mount bolts don't use grade 8? just curious

It's good to hear you made it through it all and feel better about it.


Grade 5 will bend and stretch intead of breaking as quickly under an impact. Grade 8 can hold more pressure but how much do you need for steel that is weaker than the bolt?, not as much as you think. The debate can go on forever which is the best but I prefer to know my bolts are the strongest you can get, but my car is totally welded to be like a monocoque chassis and has no bolts holding a frame to the car.

[68400BIRD]

Glad to hear it's going your way again.

[AtomicFirebird]

I checked you thread a while back but you only had a couple of pics. Wow, you have made some headway with the frame and all. It looks great! I haven't seen your's come up on the new post or I would have been watching. Keep it up and take it slow.

[68firebird]

I'm keeping it up, but yes its coming slowly right now, which sucks.

question guys, did the dash pads come from the factory just bolted on or did they also use adhesive? I'm trying to remove my old one, so I removed those cheesy lookin nuts from the bottom, but the damn this still doesn't want to budge, thats why I'm askin, I don't want to ruin anything forcing it off.

[Josue]

VERY cool thread! Glad to see another average Joe trying to get by with what he can afford, in the space he has!

As amazing as some of these builds are on this site, it kind of gets old and discouraging seeing these guys drop tens of thousands of dollars into their rides, custom fabricating some kind of futuristic this, that, and the other, all in their state of the art, billion square foot facility with every tool known to man!!! LOL

Once I get my dad's 68 off him (see sig), I'll have pretty much the same platform to start from. Good body, good interior, just needs some suspension and wheel updates! I'm gonna swap out the powerglide for a TKO500 though, I want a manual toy. And the motor needs to be freshened up.

I need to get as much as I can done asap though, getting married in September, and I think a kid will be in our near future too. I keep reading everyone's "had a kid, car went on the back burner" posts, and I don't want to get sucked into that!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Nice project! I have always been a big fan of early Firebirds, and seeing one built at home, by the owner, with limited space and a limited budget is even better! Great job so far!!!

I'm starting on a '69 Firebird convertible for a customer soon. Its an all original ,California car (missing the original engine, so I don't feel too bad cutting it up!). We're using a Procharged LS1/T56 '04 GTO as the donor. Not sure what we're doing suspensionwise yet, but it will be a PT build. Can't wait to tear into it!

[AtomicFirebird]

I am looking for the tool. Stand by please.

[AtomicFirebird]

Ok, first don't get carried away with pulling on the dash pad. It is held in buy this funny looking locking pin. It's called the (clip, dash pad dog leg) #14655. If you go to NPD or classic industries and look for a trim pad removal tool. I got carried away, Then frustrated and then really stupid. I completely destroyed the dash pad, then after I did the act I found the tool in NPD catolog. Be patient my friend and look for the tool.