1977 Fire-Bird Philippines

[77birdPH]

1977 Fire-Bird Philippines


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh46IuUxxE0



On 23 March 2013 I got the registration for my Firebird, a process taking 7 months to complete.

[77birdPH]

November 2, 2012 start of project.
AC dismantled for checking the evaporator and condenser.

Where sent to AC shop for cleaning and leak test. No leaks found, surprising for a 77 car.






Nippon compressor


.. I had some difficulties to locate 2.5 inch AC duct hoses. All the shops offered 2 inch paper hose but my AC shop had it, lucky
A new fan motor was also installed with new resistors for speed control.


The dash got some new AC vents and carbon fiber imitation.. yea its cheap. Second try with the carbon imitation got acceptable the glue was fine on flat surfaces but where it had to be bent around openings it did not have enough strength, did I say it was cheap…


Time to remove the rear axle this to fit mini tubs and a 3 link coil over suspension.


The suspension brackets nuts needed some heat



Mini tubs, started with driver’s side went as per plans no complications.



The links welded ( the rod ends where intended for my 3 ton Cherokee)

[77birdPH]

Test fitting of the links.



Found out that the upper link box was to narrow. Well make it wider from 3 inch to 5 inches still suspect its too narrow grrr my bad
Rear axle bridge


Lower Link in place

[77birdPH]

Coil-Over Conversion, Rear, Universal, Kit.................. adapted for my application



Brand:QA1 Precision Products
Manufacturer's Part Number:ALN4000K
Part Type:Coil-Over Kits
Product Line:QA1 Pro Coil-Over Conversion Systems
Summit Racing Part Number:HAL-ALN4000K

UPC:806990000811
Suspension Height Adjustment:Stock
Coil-Over Kit Position:Rear
Recommended Rear-End Weight:1,551-1,850 lbs.
Shocks Included:Yes
Adjustable Valving:No
Gas Charged:No
Extended Length (in):16.250 in.
Collapsed Length (in):11.125 in.
Upper Mount:Eyelet
Lower Mount:Eyelet
Shock Body Material:Aluminum
Shock Body Finish:Clear anodized
Bushing Material:Steel
Bushing Color:Natural
Coil-Over Springs Included:Yes
Spring Rate (lbs/in):175-350 lbs./in.
Spring Finish:Silver powdercoated
Crossmember Included:Yes
Adjustable Mounting Bracket Included:Yes
Hardware Included:Yes
Welding Required:Yes
Quantity:Sold as a kit.
Notes:Included 12 in. coil-over springs.
Here's an easy way to convert your stock rear suspension to a coil-over suspension. You get everything you need with these QA1 Pro coil-over systems, from shocks to nuts and bolts, complete installation instructions, and even decals!

[77birdPH]

Subframe got some new bushings



Simple sub-frame connector





Rear axle got some longer bolts



Front suspension gt new bushings (rubber)


Interior poor mans Dynamat,............. Flashband

Instant waterproof seal, even in damp conditions
Quick and easy to apply, no specialist tools required
4 layers of protection, lacquer, foil, membrane and bitumen adhesive
Superior heat resistance from -10oC to 100oC
Easily moulds to contours
Long lasting protection, at least 15 years

[77birdPH]

Rear axle Watts link

[77birdPH]

Interior update

[77birdPH]

Here is how she stands today



Plans for the future, GM Vortec 350 engine from 1996-2002 getting same TBI from the 305.
Restoring the original fuel injection cost about $1000,00 hmm too much..... tempting to steal the Fast EZ efi from the Cherokee




Cherokee Fast EZ efi

[77birdPH]

This is a sad story, on the positive side I must say its going god for the companies selling wheels as a new customer are ignored.
Sending request to 3 different companies selling Daytona wheels via their web mail and direct mail, not one of them replying, all I wanted was to for them to response to my mail, no one did reply. WHY


17x8 American Racing Vintage VN801 Daytona Satin Black/Machined


Maybe American Racing should look over their dealers.

No wonder that the Chinese are taking you over

[Thephranc]

Thats looking good.

[72blackbird]

Lars,
I looked at those rims too at one point- offset was not quite optimal for a 2nd gen Firebird.

[77birdPH]

Lars,
I looked at those rims too at one point- offset was not quite optimal for a 2nd gen Firebird.

What would you recommend??

I was looking at this for the rear: 17x8 5x120.7 +24 VN80178034724 $159.50 20.02 Lbs

[MrQuick]

looking good for gas welding, I like the backwoods work you guys do down there.

how does it feel?

[72blackbird]

Lars,
I guess it depends on what style you like- I prefer to keep my Firebirds and T/A's looking more traditional, so I'm leaning towards the 17" and 18" wheels that look similar to the factory rims.

I'm most likely going to run these on my 72 Esprit. An 18 x 9 aluminum rim with a 5" backspacing that looks like a Rally II for $180/each? Works for me.



http://www.wheelsforless.com/detail.aspx?ID=12105

Geno

[77birdPH]

looking good for gas welding, I like the backwoods work you guys do down there.

how does it feel?

Backwoods, an area that is far from population centers or that is held to be culturally backward.

Philippines with a population of 103 million, its good to be in the backwoods, you have to ask them what they think of being regarded as culturally backward.

Virtuoso, a person who has a masterly or dazzling skill or technique in any field of activity

Gas welding feels good, Nestor who is my welder is a virtuoso with the gas welder, the result is much better than welding with the MIG, much less grinding. It is a pleasure to watch him work with the gas welder. We have a MIG welder also .......

Yes, the project is done on a a tight budget, sometimes improvising, using locally obtained materials and whats not available has to be imported.

Following companies have contributed and been very helpful:

http://www.amesperf.com/

http://www.summitracing.com/

http://cachassisworks.com/

http://www.performanceonline.com/

http://www.nu-relics.com/

This was a total failure due to their stupid shipping rules, but its not my loss...

[72blackbird]

Lars,
Maybe you need me to send you a Balikbayan box full of parts-lol. I'm in Socal, about 45 mins. from National Parts Depot and 75 mins. from Classic Industries.

Geno

[77birdPH]

Geno, the wheels will be on a balikbayan box, just got to get the cash... I might take your offer when you least expect it.

Well moved the Bird to my home found out that radiator is clogged bad went up to 120 C (248F) we let the radiator cup open and it spewed out grey mud

Looked like a swamp rat puke... that was a instant flush not sure it did some good still getting high temperatures.

Got some WHIZ Radiator flush 4 x 11FL OZ mixed 1.5 cans and got it up to temperature did not do much good, mixed the remaining 3.5 cans and leave it over night...

Lets see in the morning if any improvement.

The TBI has been acting up found out that the PCV valve is the problem, tried many different PCV but all give same result. The PCV valve is acting like a idle circuit giving the engine extra air.




Under SO SASY

[bonecrrusher]

NC plates? Philippines plates?

Im confused...

[77birdPH]

NC plates? Philippines plates?

Im confused...

I got the NC plate from my friend who lives in NC, the Philippine plates are too long to fit the US standard licence plate slot. The Philippine plates have been made at the local Mall, I have one original Philippine plate, that was cut down and bent to size to fit, its in rather poor state. I am waiting for new plates.



The Vortec engine is installed





The Vortec 350 engine 1997-2002 (suburban) was installed.
Pulleys and exhaust manifold from the old Pontiac 305




New intake from Edelbrock Performer EPS Intake Manifolds 2716.

Dual-plane Edelbrock Performer EPS intake manifolds deliver dyno-proven horsepower gains from idle to 5,500 rpm, when used with Edelbrock's Performer series square bore or Thunder series AVS carburetors. Dyno tests showed an extra 5 hp and 9 ft.-lbs. over their own Performer manifolds. The secret's in the all-new runner design, which is tuned to produce substantial torque increases in the 3,000-4,500 rpm range--with peak torque at 3,500 rpm. That's power where you need it the most!

[77birdPH]

The conversion of the Vortec engine was rather simple. Choose to go this way as all fitted and was working and the serpentine system needs a lot of work to be adapted. The serpentine pulley system will go in later this year.

The engine was opened up and cleaned filled with oil and oil pump run with a drill, note you need the distributor housing to be in place to get oil pressure in both banks.

The engine oil was drained and new filter and oil was added and circulated. The Vortec oil filter with oil cooler adapter did not wit with the 305 exhaust manifold so it had to be discarded.

The TBI was installed and a new Innovate MTX-L Digital Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge Kits 3844 to feed the TBI.



The Innovate MTX-L Digital Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge feeds the EMC

two fully programmable linear analog outputs for use with aftermarket engine management systems and data loggers.

The TBI has been hampered by getting too much air via the PCV valve, it needs to be heavy and restricted.
Difficult to find data on the PCV.

The fuel filter was full of **** tough the tank was cleaned 3 times when converting to electric fuel pump. Interesting running when fuel delivery is hampered.



The cooling has been problematic on the 305 the radiator was cleaned at the radiator shop (2 row radiator) but still running hot (230F)

When the Vortec engine was installed a Cadillac radiator (3 row) was modified to fit the Bird but still having problems with the cooling. Yesterday the thermostat was removed, looks promising..

That the water pump hub failed during start up sending the fan into the new radiator and killing 7 tubes was a slight setback. The radiator shop fixed this in a day.