First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List RE: 15" Rally II pics by "Trimpe, Bob" <TrimpeB@rajones.com> 14" Rally II's, Web photo's & Fuel by "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Re: Fuel Question: Keith by "Dan Lawrence" <danl@fdn.com> on the move by "Binty" <bintione@yahoo.com> Re: Fuel Question by "matt schmid" <schmidmj@hotmail.com> RE: code JJ rally IIs - 15x7 by "Trimpe, Bob" <TrimpeB@rajones.com> 68 for sale in the So Cal/LA area by "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Hood hinge springs by "Chris Porter" <fxstsb@qwest.net> Re: 68 for sale in the So Cal/LA area by "Brian Sargent" <bjsbird1@yahoo.com> Re: Fuel Question by "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> Re: on the move by "Mic" <firemans68bird@yahoo.com> was Fuel Question/now intake problem by "matt schmid" <schmidmj@hotmail.com>
(back) Subject: RE: 15" Rally II pics From: "Trimpe, Bob" <TrimpeB@rajones.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 10:02:01 -0400 I bead-blasted them at work, but they are spray-can paint jobs. I used Plastikote Universal Gray and Bright Silver Metal, I gave them a top coat of clear enamel. The color is a very close match to what was on them before I cleaned them. I didn't use the masking kits. Just 2" tape and an exacto knife. The edges are really crisp, though. Bob Trimpe -----Original Message----- From: F119flight@aol.com [mailto:F119flight@aol.com] Hey Bob, good looking rims! Did you blast and powder coat them? Did you = use the "masking kits" available in all the parts catalogs? Looks like you are = ready for Spring?
(back) Subject: 14" Rally II's, Web photo's & Fuel From: "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 07:15:27 -0500 I'm picking up a set of 14 inch wheels tomorrow, and I need to know what the best tire size is that will clear the wheel wells with no problem, yet still being good sized. Steve Brady - 68 400 Convertible Hi Steve, one thing to keep in mind that I didn't see anyone mention is the width of the Rally's you are buying. I'm not sure what the specs were, but usually the come in either 6" wide or 7" wide. The 7"'s will be best. Just my $.02 worth - Brett 67 Vert 455! ___________________________________________________________________________= _ _ BTW, I got a note from Photopoint (where these are stored) telling me that photo archiving will no longer be a free service. Before I ante up the money to buy the service from them, what photo storage sites are you guys using? (I don't have a webpage) Regards, Bob Trimpe Hi Bob, I got the same info from PhotoPoint... Yahoo and many others offer "Free" web page hosting, building tools and image storage for the site. This is what mine looks like: http://www.geocities.com/jetta2point0/Firebird1.html You can choose from basic template pages or do a little more and have more control over placement of the images and text etc... You can make it as simple as you want, just photos and a blerb under them if you want. If you take a little time and read up on it, follow the directions, you can do it no problem... If I can anyone can! Brett - 67 Vert 455! __________________________________________________________________________ What kind of fuel should I use and does it need any additives? I'm just wondering if I need to add something to it and if premium is needed or just regular? Thanks ahead of time for the help. Matt - 68 350 coupe Hi Matt, congrats on the completion of the new addition... well there never quite completed... Anyway, If I remember correctly, yours is = basically stock, so you should have no problem running reg-unleaded. As many have mentioned most if not all of the additives don't do much at all. But you shouldn't need it any way. I'm going to try and crank mine over this weekend for the first time too! Brett - 67 Vert 455!
(back) Subject: Re: Fuel Question: Keith From: "Dan Lawrence" <danl@fdn.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 10:15:40 -0400 Just to report on the Toluene that I was trying: I tried the increased Toluene at 10-11% and I am very happy with the = results. I get a brief moment of ping when I first hit the throttle under load. I = believe that is coming from the full advance kicking in at about 2300-2400 rpm. My = total advance is close to 34 degrees. I have no reservations about adding something "foreign" to the fuel = because there is already 8% Toluene and 9% Xylene in 92 octane fuel anyway. The additional Toluene is suppose to increase fuel quality to a racing fuel if = you read the article that I sent before. The only issue that I see is the stuff is paint remover and you have to be really careful not to get it on the paint. I'm sold and I will be using it = from now on. I'm just glad she runs as good as she does now with no hesitation. = That 428 just hauls ass. Dan 68/coupe/428
(back) Subject: on the move From: "Binty" <bintione@yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 06:27:24 -0700 (PDT) Gidday Listers I have been offline and on the move. Previously an Oregonian, I packed the 'Bird and moved to Farmington NM. In the last two days i have seen two '68's and a '69, so if one of those was you, drop me a line! bintione@yahoo.com Cheers Binty =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D 69 350 Coupe ;*) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
(back) Subject: Re: Fuel Question From: "matt schmid" <schmidmj@hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 16:07:53 Thanks everyone on the information on the fuel. It sounds like I'm going = to be putting a higher octane in to get it running then hopefully later on I can drop down to regular so as not to have to spend so much on fuel just yet. You guys are right, the car is basically stock, the only difference is it was switched to HEI, and a 4bbl carb. My next question is, since it was pointed out about the compression ratio coming in to play on what octane you should use, how can you tell what = your compression is without measuring everything? Does anyone know what a stock = '68 350 coupe runs as compression? Thanks. Matt >Matt, is your car a "plain Jane" 2 bbl? I agree with the other guys >answers >as starting with a relatively higher octance, see how it runs, and then >drop >down to a little lower octane if it runs ok for economical purposes >(especially if you car is lower compression car). The problem is that >these >older engines with higher compression 10:1 and higher just don't like the >low octane fuel. My 350 HO car, with compression of 10.5:1 gets a slight >ping under very heavy acceleration and I run the highest octane pump gas >(Sunoco 94) that I can get, so I am debating whether to add the Tolulene = to >my fuel or buy some 100 octane fuel to boost my levels up. It seems in >reading up on it, from what I have heard, a rough guage octane level is = to >take your compression and multiply by 10, that gives you optimum octane. >ex. 9.5:1 compression x 10 =3D 95 optimum octane. I am not an expert, = this >is just what I have read. Hope this helps. > >Keith >68 H.O. > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
(back) Subject: RE: code JJ rally IIs - 15x7 From: "Trimpe, Bob" <TrimpeB@rajones.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 12:11:31 -0400 Glenn, I will verify, but I believe you are right. The JJ code I reported came = off of the rim (middle of the wheel, tire would cover it). I will look at the valve stem area for the code there, but I do recall it being something = like HW. I'll get back to the list on it... Regards, Bob Trimpe From: Glenn Uettwiller [mailto:birdman@gdi.net] Subject: Re: code JJ rally IIs - 15x7 First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List .......................................................................... Maybe this will help, Bob. I don't EVER recall seeing code "JJ" wheels. I've pointed this out before, and some folks insist on reading the "rim type" instead of the "wheel code". (If there was a "JJ" Pontiac wheel, it would be 14" diameter like the others that start with "J".) "Rim type" is a 2-letter code stamped INSIDE, meaning you must dismount the tire to read it. That is the design of the outer portion of the wheel assembly; the width, the diameter, and the depth, width and positioning of the dropped center necessary to get the tire on. Most GM cars of the era we're fond of used a "JJ" type rim, and will be stamped as such inside. The wheel code is readable on the outside of the rim, usually close to the valve stem. There may be other stampings there as well for dating and such, but this is the code for the combinations of rim type, wheel center style, bolt pattern and offset of where the two pieces are welded together. I'd almost be willing to bet that your 15X7 wheels are code HW, common to the LeMans, Grand Am and Grand Prix of 1973 through 1977. I also used a set of FW wheels on a couple of my cars (S-10 Blazers and a 72 El Camino). While the HW was the 73-77 Pontiac Rallye II with 4-3/4" circle bolt pattern, the FW was the 73-77 Chevy Rally wheel from the Monte Carlo and Chevelle. They were the same outer rims, same offset, and the same bolt pattern, but the center sections were the Chevy versus the Pontiac. Take another look and let us know! Glenn aka birdman
(back) Subject: 68 for sale in the So Cal/LA area From: "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 09:47:43 -0500 Here is some info on a car for sale. I was just notified by the owner responding to my "wanted" ad on the 1st Gen message boards... thought I'd pass it on. You can email me or the owner for some pix. It has much potential! - Brett 67 Vert 455! No bondo. This is a very straight car. Here is a brief rundown. This is a rare (becoming) 400 Pontiac Firebird A/C car(no a/c or controls). It has a brand new Chevy 350 motor(0 miles-never turned over, needs some wires hooked up) with brand new Edelbrock intake and carb, magnetic distributer, MSD hi-6 electronic ignition, headers, trunk mounted battery. Has a 350 auto trans with B&M floor megashifter(was a column shift). It has power drum brakes. Also have a complete GM front end = rebuild kit. The car is dark avocado green with black interior, needs carpet and driverside floorboard has rusted(slight crack). The paint is cracked with some minor surface rust from being near the beach. Has all badges (400, pontiac) Has a brand new fuel tank and sender- have the original too(rare-impossible to find) Original front seats are missing, has plastic racing seats, back seat in perfect condition. Good headliner, but sags a little. New shocks. Also have a complete exhaust in the box-(2) mufflers, pipes, and collectors. This car can be totally awesome when completed. I just don't have the time. Take it off my hannds. Asking $4,500obo. (motor is worth $2,500) email me for more info.- THIS CAR IS A PROJECT. Pickup is the responsibility of the buyer As is, where is. No personal checks. email me at work for best response- jwilson@servicecraft.com
(back) Subject: Hood hinge springs From: "Chris Porter" <fxstsb@qwest.net> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 09:48:15 -0700 Anybody ever change a set of hood hinge springs ? I purchased a set used a while ago. Had them blasted recently, painted them, and installed them. The darn hood won't stay open on it's own. The hinges themselves are in real good shape, no slack in the rivet's like my old ones. The spring's are tired I ass-u-me, since they won't hold the hood up. My buddy at the local GM dealer ordered a set of new ones. He ordered them from a Pontiac dealer. He and I didn't know if the Pontiac spring's were different than the Camaro. I figured the Bird springs might be heavier duty, since the hood is larger. Wondering if there is any trick's to installing them, and if indeed the springs are different between the two cars ? Thanks, Chris `68 350 H.O. Drop-top
(back) Subject: Re: 68 for sale in the So Cal/LA area From: "Brian Sargent" <bjsbird1@yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 11:02:02 -0700 (PDT) Brett, That sounds like the one on e-bay. It is rare for a Firebird "400" to have a chevy 350 in it. Brian 69 conv --- Brett Luikkonen <brett@cisdirect.com> wrote: > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > .......................................................................... > Here is some info on a car for sale. I was just > notified by the owner > responding to my "wanted" ad on the 1st Gen message > boards... thought > I'd pass it on. You can email me or the owner for > some pix. > > It has much potential! - Brett 67 Vert 455! > > No bondo. This is a very straight car. Here is a > brief rundown. > > This is a rare (becoming) 400 Pontiac Firebird A/C > car(no a/c or > controls). It has a brand new Chevy 350 motor(0 > miles-never turned over, > needs some wires hooked up) with brand new Edelbrock > intake and carb, > magnetic distributer, MSD hi-6 electronic ignition, > headers, trunk mounted > battery. Has a 350 auto trans with B&M floor > megashifter(was a column > shift). It has power drum brakes. Also have a > complete GM front end rebuild > kit. The car is dark avocado green with black > interior, needs carpet and > driverside floorboard has rusted(slight crack). The > paint is cracked with > some minor surface rust from being near the beach. > Has all badges (400, > pontiac) Has a brand new fuel tank and sender- have > the original > too(rare-impossible to find) Original front seats > are missing, has plastic > racing seats, back seat in perfect condition. Good > headliner, but sags a > little. New shocks. Also have a complete exhaust in > the box-(2) mufflers, > pipes, and collectors. This car can be totally > awesome when completed. I > just don't have the time. Take it off my hannds. > Asking $4,500obo. (motor > is worth $2,500) email me for more info.- THIS CAR > IS A PROJECT. Pickup > is the responsibility of the buyer As is, where is. > No personal checks. > email me at work for best response- > jwilson@servicecraft.com > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
(back) Subject: Re: Fuel Question From: "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 14:35:38 -0400 Matt - Stock 350 2bbl is 9.2 compression according to the 68 service manual. 350 HO 4bbl is 10.5. I've heard many people say the *actual* compression is a bit less than that, but usually that's in reference to = the earlier engines like the '63 389 I had in my grand prix. Those were = stated as 10.75 but in reality closer to 10. I'm certainly no expert, just what I've read in several places. I run premium in my 350, which is non-rebuilt, 49,000 original miles. It has been switched over to 1.65 rockers, edelbrock peformer and 4bbl. Mike 68 350 Coupe .......................................................................... > Does anyone know what a stock '68 350 coupe runs as compression? = Thanks.
(back) Subject: Re: on the move From: "Mic" <firemans68bird@yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 14:05:12 -0700 (PDT) --- Binty <bintione@yahoo.com> wrote: > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > .......................................................................... > Gidday Listers > > I have been offline and on the move. Previously an > Oregonian, I packed the 'Bird and moved to > Farmington > NM. In the last two days i have seen two '68's and > a > '69, so if one of those was you, drop me a line! > > bintione@yahoo.com > > Cheers > Binty > > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D > 69 350 Coupe ;*) > Welcome to the neighborhood! I live in Gallup, NM which is 2hrs southwest of Farmington. If you ever find your way down here, let me know and we'll get together. Once again, welcome. =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Michael '68 Cameo 400 coupe http://communities.msn.com/Firemans68BirdNest LEARN CPR, IT SAVES LIVES!!!! BE COOL ABOUT FIRE SAFETY!!!! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
(back) Subject: was Fuel Question/now intake problem From: "matt schmid" <schmidmj@hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 21:15:42 Thank you sir. Now it's time for another question. I'm just full of them lately. Here's the story.... Today I was doing the finishing touches on the bird, you know, filling it with oil, putting anti-freeze in and water. Hooking up all the electrical, = charging the battery. I was so excited, because I was going to start my = baby (close to wetting myself) Anyway, to get to the point, the gasket for the intake manifold was leaking in more than just one place. I'm going to have = to replace the gasket, I guess stuff like happens when you buy a used car. = My question is, do I need to remove the water pump to remove the intake manifold? I have a Chilton's manual and it doesn't seem to mention it, but = it looks like I would have to, can someone verify this one way or the = other for me? I really wanna get this damn thing running. Also, how do you get excess water/anti-freeze out of the manifold before unbolting it so it doesn't go everywhere? Thanks. Matt 68 350 coupe ..... >Matt - > Stock 350 2bbl is 9.2 compression according to the 68 service >manual. 350 HO 4bbl is 10.5. I've heard many people say the *actual* >compression is a bit less than that, but usually that's in reference to = the >earlier engines like the '63 389 I had in my grand prix. Those were = stated >as 10.75 but in reality closer to 10. I'm certainly no expert, just what >I've read in several places. I run premium in my 350, which is >non-rebuilt, 49,000 original miles. It has been switched over to 1.65 >rockers, edelbrock peformer and 4bbl. > >Mike >68 350 Coupe > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com