1969 Firebird LSx

[seancarole]

Sweet love the birds. maybe some day I'll start a thread on my 68 for me it's one step forward and then 20 steps back.

[Z06vet]

The holes in the subframe for the frame stands are not threaded. There is a nut & bolt that goes thru the frame to mount them. Kind of pain to get a socket in from the bottom to hold the nut on 2 out of the 3, but its not that bad with motor out. I used some grade 8 hardware on mine. Scott

[rohrt]

I don't know what would be worse, starting from scratch or fixing someone elses mess. Looks like you know what your doing and making it right.

It must be an iron block 5.3? I'm curious as to how well it runs after you get it running.

[bimmen325]

The car looks great, hopefully you get everything sorted, for the harness you really need to call Travis (daytonayellaz), not only will he get you the right parts but he is very willing to talk things out and explain pro's and con's of certain items. My cars a 68 and it is currently at his shop (so I my be just a bit bias).

[STROKED]

Seeing this makes me feel like starting a project thread for my 69 Bird. Your bird looks much further along than mine def, keep those pic's coming.

[ehummelman]

Sweet, another 69 Bird. Damn, I hate the temptation to go with an LS! Will be watching your build for sure.

[pjku79]

Thanks for all the sympathy guys. I have spent the last few days trying to get the right size drill tap so I can tap the holes for the engine mounts. I think I finally got it sorted and should do it tonight. Too bad I am going out of town for the next week weeks on Sunday.

As for the harness, I finished it up and think it should be in good shape. [knock on wood] I still need to barrow a hole saw to drill out the firewall for the harness. I think I am going to use the location where the stock speed cable came through. The controller should sit nicely under my center console. I will take more pictures as I progress.

[pjku79]

Finally after 3 different size taps I found the right one. Now I just need to drill out the holes on the mounts and I will be able to get them on. Well...after I repaint. I will take some pictures tonight.

[pjku79]

Alright just got back from EU. I was busy with work for that last two weeks. I hope to get the engine harness and new mounts installed this weekend. Time could be an issue though because I am going to take my son to an easter thing at work all day saturday.

[pjku79]

Got some good work done this weekend. Got the harness fed through the firewall and got the mounts in and ready to go.

Question for you guys out there. My car originally came with a turbo 400 and the driveshaft had a slip yoke built into it. When I swap to the 4l60e, the slip yoke will be part of the trans. What is the best way to address this? Should I buy the yoke for the 4L60 somewhere and buy a new driveshaft or go a different route? Trying to save $$$.

[Z06vet]

When you say built-in yoke- is it a custom universal joint shaft? If not the yoke can be removed from the shaft. If the 4L60 comes with the yoke, just use it along with your current driveshaft. Bring the driveshaft shop the 4L60 yoke and your current shaft. Ask them where they would like you to take measurements from. They can shorten the shaft, remove the 400 yoke, install the 4L60 yoke, and balance everything. You can sell the T400 and the T400 yoke to re-coupe the money. It cost me $120 to do just what I described above. The old T400 trans + the yoke should be worth quite a bit more than that if its still good. Got a pic of the driveshaft? Scott

[IrvJr]

Nice work. Good job resurrecting the ol Bird.

[pjku79]

OK, its been about six months, but i am finally getting back into the swing of things. I bought a trans, actually two. The first one turned out to be too early of a 4L60e, that was an expensive mistake. Now I have the trans bolted to the engine with my TCS 2600 mashed in between. I also bought a camaro shifter. I did notice the shifter cable does not fit the ball on the transmission lever. I am trying to find a camaro lever for cheap. Hoping to finally find sometime next week or weekend to drop the engine in and make a little room in my garage.

As always, thanks for all of the support.