First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List Re: Re: 8.5 to 8.2? by "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Songs... by "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Multi leaf springs... by "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Re: Head Knowledge and... by "Lee Gilbreath" <firebirds42@hotmail.com> 67 326 Parts Car on Ebay by "Lee Gilbreath" <firebirds42@hotmail.com> Just got it running! by "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Almost.... by "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Music/Song that defines the gen birds by "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Re: Save the F body/a little off topic by <hugoba@apcom.com> off the topic by "Craig" <coreman@uniserve.com> Re: Songs... by "Tom McLaughlin" <thomas.mclaughlin@wmich.edu> RE: Cocktail shakers by <JGeigel@aol.com> Re: yet another failed attempt by <David_S_Smith@amat.com> Cocktail Shaker's by "Chris Porter" <fxstsb@qwest.net> Re: Save the F body/a little off topic by "Bob Cisneros" <Bob.Cisneros@Sun.COM> Re: Music/Song that defines the gen birds by <Chuck_Sellers@hotmail.com> Re: got the money now need to decide.Which front end and springs? by "x1r1 x" <x1r1@hotmail.com>
(back) Subject: Re: Re: 8.5 to 8.2? From: "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 07:58:19 -0500 Larry, The 1971 to 1981 Z-28's and TA's share the same 8.5 rear-ends. I doubt = that it's a standard bearing. You would have to go to a bearing = shop/industrial supply to get it. Frank >>> ldiede@bangkok.com 04/18/01 08:26AM >>> First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List .......................................................................... Frank, I assume that the reason for converting to the metric dimensions is becuse = there is a standard pinion bearing setup/kit that just happens to be in = metric units. Is this correct? Do you happen to know what the application for the metric unit? That way = a person could just go to the parts counter and ask for the pinion bearing = to an XXX rear end out of a yyyy model vehicle. I take it that the 8.5 is out of a chevy? What years and application? Thanks, for all your good input. Larry Diede ---------
(back) Subject: Songs... From: "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 07:33:07 -0500 SO ---- I'm looking for opinions on the "song, artist or other music that defines the gen 1 'birds" -- you know, the song that revs up YOUR engine while you're spending time with your precious baby bird. Duane Bender 68 V8 coupe Since I just fired my bird up for the first time yesterday! I would have to say RUSH, "Red Barchetta!" And since it's a convertible and I'll be cruising all summer Maybe Will Smith, "Summertime"... Yes, My 455 build up finally roared to life yesterday... Oh what a sweet sound that was! The music from the Hooker Super Comps into the 2.5" Flowmaster exhaust with crossover was incredible! She ran like a top! Just one little oil leak from the pan (missing one bolt!) on to the header of course... but otherwise it was all I could = do to keep my right foot steady... Oh what a sweet sound indeed! I'll have some new pictures up soon, and will let you know! Cruis'n in my 67 455 Vert - Brett!
(back) Subject: Multi leaf springs... From: "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 07:38:14 -0500 What have you guys used and what would you recommend? The car will be street driven only, but I want it to handle. Thanks, Greg Z Greg, I have the Posi rear from a 79 T/A and used newr stock multi leaf springs in my 67 Vert, they work great! I have Art Morrison adjustable link sway bars and KYB Gas Adjust shocks with 4 wheel disc brakes... all in all a great combination! Verry happy with it! Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!
(back) Subject: Re: Head Knowledge and... From: "Lee Gilbreath" <firebirds42@hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 10:35:46 -0400 I have the intake from a 69 'Bird (Part Number 9794234 350/400 350 4BBL = HO,400 4BBL, 400 HO 4BBL,RAM AIR III (ALL FB). That should solve the = intake. Do the heads themselves not make that great a difference? Or is it only in = conjunction with a different cam when it comes into play? Thanks for the input! Lee 67 Signet Gold on Signet Gold 326 Coupe 68 Alpine Blue on Teal Sprint Convertible - in Restoration http://user.icx.net/~lee4uhere/68bird ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 11:15 PM Subject: Re: Head Knowledge and... > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > Lee, > > One of the best ways to start is by making your car breathe better. > The Eddelbrock Performer intake manifold is relatively cheap (about = $225.00) > and a good investment (unless you already have a stock 4 barrel which is > actually quite decent). A nice 4 barrel carb, probably a 600 CFM and = then a > set of headers with free flowing mufflers (like Flowmasters or similar). > > These are relatively easy boltons that you can do in a weekend. > >From there it gets more complex and expensive. > > The other thing to remember is that the method of measuring published HP = changed > in the early 70's so what used to be a gross 325 hp engine would then = wind up > being 200 something net. > > > Hugo > > > Subject: Head Knowledge and... > > Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 09:14:59 -0400 > > MIME-Version: 1.0 > > X-Priority: 3 > > X-MSMail-Priority: Normal > > X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2615.200 > > X-OriginalArrivalTime: 18 Apr 2001 13:16:52.0321 (UTC) > > FILETIME=3D[D52E3510:01C0C809] > > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > > X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by = mx1.daemonmail.net > > id f3IDGqN68459 > > > > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > > = ......................................................................... > > Thanks to John and his link at www.wallaceracing.com I know it is = likely the heads I have are on a measly 200hp setup on this 400. It did = not tell me where the identification numbers are located (I think it = assumes you're supposed to know such simple things, eh?) Certainly nothing = spectacular since a Sprint puts out 215! > > > > Question is, how best to pump it up to 275-300hp? What sort of = cam\heads\intake\carb combo would be best? OK, I'll admit it - if it's = working (or was working) I can fix it, but I've never been into = performance engineering and could use some input - and I know some of you = out there know your stuff and would appreciate the help. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Lee > > 67 Signet Gold on Signet Gold 326 Coupe > > 68 Alpine Blue on Teal Sprint Convertible - in Restoration > > http://user.icx.net/~lee4uhere/68bird > > >
(back) Subject: 67 326 Parts Car on Ebay From: "Lee Gilbreath" <firebirds42@hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 11:00:05 -0400 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3D5814120= 07 Lee 67 Signet Gold on Signet Gold 326 Coupe 68 Alpine Blue on Teal Sprint Convertible - in Restoration http://user.icx.net/~lee4uhere/68bird
(back) Subject: Just got it running! From: "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 08:19:08 -0500 Got it running!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From: "matt schmid" <schmidmj@hotmail.com> Ok everyone, drink a beer, take a shot, smoke a cigar/cigarette or = whatever to celebrate for me. I finally got her running smoooooth. It's so awesome! Matt, man do I know how you feel! I too just yesterday got my new 455 running for the first time! I bought the car (a 67 vert) with a bad 326 motor... so I never drove it at all... I've had it for 3 months and drove it for the first time yesterday! Oh what a feeling of complete freedom, power, exhilaration... acceleration! Words just cant describe it! But I know what your feeling! Good job Man! Brett 67 Vert 455!
(back) Subject: Almost.... From: "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 08:37:49 -0500 Subject: yet another failed attempt From: "danny" <dannyboylll@qwest.net> I had yet another failed attempt to get my car from my parents house last week. Danny, Man, I'm sorry to hear that! Almost... Yes there is a round offset roller that the fuel pump arm rests on. But the Electric pump was a good call in the mean time! Most carbs are "close" right out of the box... at least they have been in my experience. So don't mess with it too much yet until you are SURE you have the timing correct. As I was getting mine going yesterday, I had to double check the timing = and distributor positioning a few times, the first time I checked to make sure by stuffing a rag in the No. 1 plug hole and when it popped out from the compression stroke I had it at or close to top dead... lined it up, = checked the distributor and it was a few teeth off. Changed that and she roared to life! So just check and recheck the timing and everything else before you adjust the carb at all! When are you going to be able to work on it again? Hope you can work it out soon! Good luck Danny! Were all pulling for you! - Brett 67 vert 455!
(back) Subject: Music/Song that defines the gen birds From: "Brett Luikkonen" <brett@cisdirect.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 08:50:51 -0500 No one has mentioned Sammy Hagar's "I can't Drive 55!" "Born to be Wild" is indeed a good one as is "Bad to the bone"... As I went to high school in the 80's, Depeche Mode's "Route 66" comes to mind, and as some one mentioned the Milk men "Bitchen Camaro"... A group of friends and I used to cruise in my 68 421 in High school and we had a grouping of music that we still to this day referrer to as "Firebird Music"! This was everything from B.O.C "Don't fear the = Reaper", AC/DC "Back in Black", Rush, Starship, Def Leopard, etc... To us... this will always be "Firebird Music"! Besides... It ALL sounds better when your in the Bird doesn't it?
(back) Subject: Re: Save the F body/a little off topic From: <hugoba@apcom.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 08:49:47 -0700 (PDT) I have a 98 TA and it's one heck of a machine. At the time I bought it the ws6's were taking 6 months to get and the 98 Firehawk was cancelled so I basically built my own. I bought the Raptor = hood from Suncoast Creations which looks a lot like the Firehawk hood (which in = my opinion is much nicer than the WS6 hood). I use it as a daily driver as well as drag race it now and then but mostly = do road racing and some open road racing. I've had it up to 145 and it still had a lot more left and with the = suspension mods, 285/40 17" Michelins and subframe connectors the car rides on rails. If at all possible, deal with the fleet manager. They will usually charge = you X number of dollars over invoice and you don't have to haggle and deal = with the looser salesoids (hopefully I'm not offending anyone). Hugo > From Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com Thu Apr 19 05:54:30 2001 > X-Originating-IP: [64.48.54.74] > From: "Keith Donmoyer" <kadonny@hotmail.com> > To: Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com > Subject: Save the F body/a little off topic > Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 08:49:43 -0400 > Mime-Version: 1.0 > X-OriginalArrivalTime: 19 Apr 2001 12:49:44.0214 (UTC) > FILETIME=3D[352A8B60:01C0C8CF] > > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > While we are on the subject. Who on the list has bought a Trans Am in = the > past 2 years?? I am looking at them right now, looking at Ram Air 6 > speed..WS6 I think? What are the opinions of the cars? I understand = the > whole safe the F body movement, but I also know that I would be shelling = out > roughly 30k for one of these cars....alot of muchachos. Thanks in > advance...would love to buy one for everyday driver! > > Keith > 68 H.O. > > Subject: Re: Save the F body > From: "Doug" <dcharnley@mediaone.net> > Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 18:52:58 -0400 > > Lets face it. The only way GM would be swayed is for everyone that is > interested in > saving Firebirds to cough up the dough for a new one. Maintaining that > bottom > line > is GM's main objective. Can't blame 'em. > > Doug > 67 400 coupe > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > >
(back) Subject: off the topic From: "Craig" <coreman@uniserve.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 08:56:56 -0700 Does anyone know how many motor mount holes are drilled and tapped on both sides of a 79 T/A 400 block? Is it 3 RHS & 4 LHS or 5 & 5?
(back) Subject: Re: Songs... From: "Tom McLaughlin" <thomas.mclaughlin@wmich.edu> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 12:14:57 -0400 > This song thing is easy group. It has to be an artist who hails from = the > Motor City. My #1 pick would be Bob Segers "Turn the Page". The intro = to the > song on the Live Bullet album says it all, "This is a song.....it's a = song > about being on the road....it's called Turn the Page, yeah". I played = that > song repeatedly on a road trip from Michigan out to the Seattle, = Washington > area. Cheers! Tom McLaughlin 1967 Ragtop 400 > Duane Bender 68 V8 coupe > > Since I just fired my bird up for the first time yesterday! > I would have to say RUSH, "Red Barchetta!" > And since it's a convertible and I'll be cruising all summer > Maybe Will Smith, "Summertime"... >
(back) Subject: RE: Cocktail shakers From: <JGeigel@aol.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 12:46:42 EDT Bryan, I have an entire extra set of 68 cocktail shakers that Chris Porter is = going to buy from me. I believe that he will then have an extra right = rear shaker to sell. Chris and Bryan, do you want to do a three way deal = here? If so, Chris, you just need to work the deal with Bryan as you and = I have already agreed on a price. Joe Geigel
(back) Subject: Re: yet another failed attempt From: <David_S_Smith@amat.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 11:46:58 -0500 I have twice had problems setting the timing on a new/unknown junkyard = engine. It is funny how something that should be simple can turn into a nightmare. Someone on the list probably has a better way of doing this, but this = worked for me twice.... Set the mechanical gap on the points. Make sure that cylinder #1 was a couple degrees before TDC. Pontiacs have = the markings on the timing cover, but the other motor did not have the = markings. For that junkyard motor, I put a screwdriver in through the spark plug = hole and moved the crank until the screwdriver stopped at the top. I figure that = the screwdriver may not be the ideal foreign object, so maybe a straw or some = other plastic object would work better. After I know the engine is rotated correctly for TDC on cylinder #1, I = would make sure that the distributor cap is pointing in the direction of the = wire for cylinder #1. If it is not pointing in the correct direction, then pull it = and adjust the position. Remember to leave room for final adjustment. Also remember that the crank makes 2x rotations for 1x of the distributor, so = if it looks 180* off, just rotate the crank one more revolution. Turn on the car's power. I would then put a test light on the points. Rotate the distributor until = the test light goes off. When the light goes off, that is where the points = break and the coil fires the plug. Tighten down the distributor. Put it back together and it should fire up. Adjust the points with engine running. Good luck, Dave
(back) Subject: yet another failed attempt From: "danny" <dannyboylll@qwest.net> Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 17:40:17 -0600 i had yet another failed attempt to get my car from my parents house last week. i thought i would tell you all what i went through more for entertainment purposes than anything else. :>) me and my girlfriend drove up to oregon from newmexico through nevada in a giant snow storm. i spent the forst day working on odds and ends/ and the second day i tore into the set of supercomp headers with a hacksaw. i couldn't find anyone in town that could bend a piece of pipe to fit the dimensions that i needed. so I bought a straight piece of pipe, and made angled cuts in it so that i = could rotate them and assemble them in any angle i needed. i will have some pictures of my butchery on my site:>) it is pretty ugly but it was airtight, and it fit! i manufactured a bunch more parts for my car with my welder also. i made a throttle cable bracket that works great and a distributer bracket that works like a charm to. one problem that i had was that my stock type fuel pump didn't pump fuel = at all?? at first i thought that maybe it needed to be primed or something like that but on closer inspection i realized that there was nothing for = the mechanical arm to ride on. i have an aftermarket cam, but i don;t = remember having a part that bolts onto it to run the pump arm. At the time i still thought i might get it running so i ran to the parts store and got an electric fuel pump. it installed easily and i was impressed with its performance. am i right that there needs to be an oblong wheel bolted = onto the front of that cam?? well I got the rest of the miscelanious stuff hooked up, but I had some trouble hooking up the ignition wiring. I am pretty sure I have it right because the motor turns over and I managed to get fire to shoot 3 feet out of my headers when I tried to start it :>) I never did get it started. in the process of getting the distributer lined up i flooded the engine and after that i was getting hungry and i had to leave the next morning. can Anyone give me some tips on setting up a carb for first engine run? the carb and the motor are both new. well i hope my story was atleast a little entertaining. i will publish my pics as soon as i can talk to u guys later -danny 68 400 new mexico
(back) Subject: Cocktail Shaker's From: "Chris Porter" <fxstsb@qwest.net> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 11:48:03 -0700 Bryan, I will be getting the set from Joe. I need the two front, and am going to compare the rear's. E-mail me off the list, and I will save your message. I will be picking them up next month. I'll contact you then to see where you are at with your search. That work for you ? Chris `68 350 H.O. Drop-top
(back) Subject: Re: Save the F body/a little off topic From: "Bob Cisneros" <Bob.Cisneros@Sun.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 11:52:51 -0700 (PDT) Keith writes: >Who on the list has bought a Trans Am in the >past 2 years?? A few years ago, when the call came out to save the F-body, I too wrote in, saying don't kill the car, and that I would be buying one in the near future. Last year, I had a chance to walk that talk. I bought a then new 2000 Formula WS6 Ram Air. While a few of the local dealerships had one or two on the lots, they were either not the color I wanted, or not equipped the way I prefered. So, I ordered one. I could also get a better price if I ordered the car. As Hugo mentioned, I had a better experience ordering through a fleet manager, cutting out the middlemen, and especially the sales staff who seemed to know virtually nothing about the cars. The wait was long. I ordered the car the last week of January, 2000, and finally took delivery the last week of May. The fleet manager and I exchanged email and phone calls to keep track of the progress. At least 3 weeks were taken in actually getting the order in the que. Some dealerships had more pull than others. Remember, the production of these cars is limited. 6 speeds were harder to come by than auto trans cars last year, in part due to a shortage in the factory. I really had no problem with the wait. I can be patient when the goal is important. Plus, since I was only 10 years old when my '68 was built, I missed out on a chance to special order a car back in the first muscle car era. I didn't want to miss out this time. As for impressions. The car is powerful, handles very well, and gets looks wherever I drive it. It's very rare to see another Ram Air car on the road, and very few or those are Formulas. Most of the others I see are Trans Ams. Clutch action is good, the pedal not too hard. The stock shifter isn't very good and I'll put in an aftermarket unit soon. The car is very agreeable as a daily driver, yet pulls like a big block once the RPMs climb over 4K. On the negative side. Not too much. The car has T-tops, and they do rattle occasionally. Usually when it's cold, and the road is especially rough. I just started getting a leak in the top right at the front joint on the driver's side. I've yet to take it to the dealership to resolve. While better than the Camaro, the overall quality control seems a little under par compared to other mfgs. Overall, I like the car very much, and wouldn't trade it for anything else on the road. From a performance stand point, this car represents one of the best buys in the market. While I've driven others, rear wheel drive, V8 powered cars are for me. But as I've said before, the F-body as well as the Mustang are fairly pricey for the younger buyer. The very demograpic they were both aimed at in the beginning. >roughly 30k for one of these cars....alot of muchachos. A lot of boys? Just how were you planning to pay for this car? ;^o -BoB San Jose, CA 1968 convertible bob.cisneros@Sun.COM
(back) Subject: Re: Music/Song that defines the gen birds From: <Chuck_Sellers@hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 09:27:24 -0700 How about "I can't drive 55" by Sammy Hagar? Who can in a Firebird? Chuck
(back) Subject: Re: got the money now need to decide.Which front end and springs? From: "x1r1 x" <x1r1@hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 15:06:04 -0700 Thanks, BoB Aqualube is the brand PST recomended buying if I wanted extra grease. Rowan >From: Bob Cisneros <Bob.Cisneros@Sun.COM> > >brad writes: > > > I need to know how to install zerks in the graphite any info on this = is > > needed! > > >Here are the basics: > >1. (Optional Step) Seperate the bushing from it's metal shell. > Cut a 1/8 inch deep groove around it's circumference around > the middle. You can use a hacksaw to do this. An inside > groove would be good to have as well as a number of holes > drilled radially to provide a grease path should the bushing > rotate in the shell, and to provide a reservoir. Re-install > the bushing in the shell, using the special grease that should > be supplied. This stuff is very sticky. > >2. Press the bushings into the control arms. Buy some grease > zerks (fittings), drill the conrol arm through the bushing > shell, as far as the center sleeve. Don't drill through > this center sleeve. Make your hole so that it is likely > to intersect with the grooves you cut in the bushing. > > You can use a #21 drill bit, and then tap for a 10-32 or > 10-28 thread zerk, depending on what you find. Keep in mind > how the arms will be mounted and take access on the car into > mind when drilling for the zerks. > > >OK, so now you have the control arms mounted on the car and >what do you use to grease them? Some people just use common >axle or suspension grease. That will work, sort of. But >the problem is that it is water soluable. If your car ever >sees rain, the grease will eventually wash away. > >The better bet is to use waterproof grease. Go to your local >boat/marine supply store and get the stuff they use on boats >and boat trailers. I bought some stuff call Auqualube. I >have a grease gun loaded with this stuff just for suspension >bushings. Just look out when you use it. It is very sticky >and is about as easy to get rid of as chewing gum in your >hair. > >-BoB San Jose, CA > 1968 convertible > > bob.cisneros@Sun.COM _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com