First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List Re: electrical problem by "matt schmid" <schmidmj@hotmail.com> Gas Prices by "Ian Highfield" <Ian.Highfield@actfs.co.uk> Re: Gas Prices by "C. van der Waal" <van.der.waal@tip.nl> On the fun side by "Keith Donmoyer" <kadonny@hotmail.com> Re: Shock mounting plates by <JGeigel@aol.com> Re: Gas Prices by "Todd Chynoweth" <pinec@pitnet.net> Rally gauges installed! by "Bob Trimpe" <fyrebird68@hotmail.com> Re: 066,067,summit 2801 by "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Re: 066,067,summit 2801 by "Joe Brown" <jb.pb@gte.net> Re: Gas Prices by <NoPinkTutu@aol.com> WANTED: 69 Convertible by "Duane Bender" <dbender@dotcomify.com> Re:Coolant Levels by "Lee" <pyre400@yahoo.com> Re: hood hinge spring follow up... by <Jimc2002@aol.com> Turn signal switch by "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> One other thing...cooling by "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> RE: Gas Prices by "Rodger Fromm" <rwfromm@nf.sympatico.ca> Re: Shock mounting plates by "Bob Cisneros" <Bob.Cisneros@Sun.COM> Re: Gas Prices by "ray russell" <fastolbird@hotmail.com> Re: Turn signal switch by "ROY D LUMSDEN" <rlumsden@tampabay.rr.com> Re: RE Sprint trans mounts by "Glenn Uettwiller" <birdman@gdi.net> Re: Shock mounting plates by <JGeigel@aol.com>
(back) Subject: Re: electrical problem From: "matt schmid" <schmidmj@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 14:02:17 I appreciate the information, I shall keep all this in mind when I get a chance to look at it. I'm about to start finals right now, so it might be = a while. Thanks again. Matt 68 350 coupe >Matt- > one other thing I failed to mention.. If you do use the procedure I >mentioned - using a multimeter to check circuits - you will probably = notice >that the lighting circuits don't have much resistance on them. You'll = want >a digital multimeter, or a good analog one with a very small scale = setting >(0-100 ohms maybe). The reason for this (as I understand it) is that as >you know a light bulb is basically a very very thin wire inside the >glass. Being so thin it can only pass a certain amount of current, and = the >rest (up to a breaking point) is converted into heat and thus light once >enough current is waiting to pass. A meter only sends maybe 1.5 -3 volts >and much less than a 1/4 amp, so nearly all of it can pass over the small >wire and you only see a few ohms of resistance. So.. basically I'm = saying >don't let those circuits fool you. With a standard large scale meter it >may look like a short when it's not. I hope this is helpful... > >Mike >68 350 Coupe > > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
(back) Subject: Gas Prices From: "Ian Highfield" <Ian.Highfield@actfs.co.uk> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 15:14:12 +0100 Hugo just wrote re. gas prices in the 'bay area' (presume San Francisco!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hehe, $2.00 is nothing. Here in the Bay Area we already pay over $2.00 for = premium! Up in San Francisco they are upwards of $2.15!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well guys, I would love to pay $2.15 a gallon. Over here in England, we = pay 77p per litre, which is about $5.25 per gallon !!!! No wonder you guys have money to spend on parts - all ours goes on gas. Does anyone else have gas prices for their country (Holland, Sweden, Australia etc.) to compare to the US prices - anyone cheaper ? Just interested. Took the Bird to the first show of the year, and what a great drive it = was. Only about 60 miles from home, but loved every minute of it. Bye for now, Ian Highfield (England) 350 Coupe
(back) Subject: Re: Gas Prices From: "C. van der Waal" <van.der.waal@tip.nl> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 17:43:05 +0200 > = -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Hehe, $2.00 is nothing. Here in the Bay Area we already pay over $2.00 = for > premium! Up in San Francisco they are upwards of $2.15!! > = -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Well guys, I would love to pay $2.15 a gallon. Over here in England, we pay > 77p per litre, which is about $5.25 per gallon !!!! > > Does anyone else have gas prices for their country (Holland, Sweden, > Australia etc.) to compare to the US prices - anyone cheaper ? > Here in Holland it costs about $ 4.05 per U.S. Gallon. $ 2.15 a U.S. Gallon is something I wouldn't mind here. Greetings, Cor
(back) Subject: On the fun side From: "Keith Donmoyer" <kadonny@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 12:56:24 -0400 Larry, 6 speed or auto? I also am too contemplating the purchase of the new Ram Air, as you know if you got my posts a couple of days ago. I noticed the same thing, 2nd and 3rd above like 4000 rpms she really moves. = Love the hood styling, interior is a bit small, even compared to my 68. But, after coming home and driving my 68 H.O., the old cars still have it over the new ones in raw acceleration and throttle response. The new ones = may jump off the line quicker (esp with 6 speed) but in the upper RPM's = when I lay on the 350 it can be almost scary. Braking on the 2001 is a no brainer, esp. with my 68 manual drum brakes. When I drive the Bird I give = myself plenty of time to stop and downshift, downshift, downshift! Keith 68 H.O. On the fun side, My wife got a wild hair, and decided she wanted a new Ram Air, so this last weekend, we went out and test drove one. Beautiful car. Not as much power as my 400 on the low end, but man does it move once you get the R's up! Handles like a dream too. That was Saturday, Then Sunday = we went for a cruise to Hart Park, for a picnic lunch, in the 67. It was a perfect day, the bird purred the whole time. We were having such a good time, we weren't ready go home. I took her for a drive up Round Mountain Road, one of my favorite twisty roads. First time for both the girls (my wife & the 'bird). They both loved it! This was just one of those magic moments. I wanted to share a great weekend with you guys & gals, since I know you'll understand. We're still thinking about the new 'bird. My wife is due for a new car. I got mine , even though it was 30 years old when I got it! Thanks, & happy crusin' Lance 67 400 Coupe _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
(back) Subject: Re: Shock mounting plates From: <JGeigel@aol.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 13:04:49 EDT The Stock 68 mounting plates do have the staggered shocks. It has been = much talked about in the Firebird books. Supposedly it fixes a problem = that the 67s had. I have a spare stock set if you need them, but again, they are staggered. Joe Geigel
(back) Subject: Re: Gas Prices From: "Todd Chynoweth" <pinec@pitnet.net> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 13:27:47 -0500 About gas pricing, lets get more specific, I live in Wisconsin and the state and federal taxes combined are .54 and another .05 increase in state tax in the near future, with the tax included the price 87 octane $1.66 92 octane $1.90 what are total tax amounts around the country or world? I believe that is where majority of the difference lies. Just another angle Todd Hehe, $2.00 is nothing. Here in the Bay Area we already pay over $2.00 = for premium! Up in San Francisco they are upwards of $2.15!! Well guys, I would love to pay $2.15 a gallon. Over here in England, we pay 77p per litre, which is about $5.25 per gallon !!!! No wonder you guys have money to spend on parts - all ours goes on gas. Does anyone else have gas prices for their country (Holland, Sweden, Australia etc.) to compare to the US prices - anyone cheaper ? Just interested.
(back) Subject: Rally gauges installed! From: "Bob Trimpe" <fyrebird68@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 14:27:32 -0400 I finally got around to doing my rally gauge upgrade in my '68. The directions in the firstgen FAQs are good, and the errors that Frank = pointed out were right on target as well. I had a small problem -- the temp needle was working fine, then pegged hot = and stayed there. The car was not running hot. I talked several times via e-mail with Peter Serio of Precision Pontiac, = who refurbished the gauges. He was very helpful, and talked mw through to finding the solution. It seems I momentarily lost the ground to the pod, which will cause ALL of the gauges to peg high. However, the temp gauge is = not dampened, so it immediately got stuck on the high peg. The others = didn't get to the point of no return before I regained my ground. I pulled the = pod again (ugh!) unstuck the needle, and added a ground strap at Peter's recommendation to prevent future occurrences. After all this, all is working excellent. Its nice to be able to see oil pressure and water temp. Even my "gen" gauge is working out good. I = learned a lot about how these things are wired and operate, as well. I recommend Peter's services, if you are looking for gauge restoration. He = is at precisionpontiac.com He's a real friend to the hobby, has a quality service, and "talked me in for a landing" when I was stuck. Thanks, Peter. Regards, Bob Trimpe _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
(back) Subject: Re: 066,067,summit 2801 From: "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 15:24:45 -0500 The Summit 2800 is the same as the E Performer cam and would be good for a = lower compression 350. No need to spend the extra money with the 2800 on = 1.65 rockers. The 1968 and 1969 350 HO's had The 067 cam with automatics = and 69 350 HO got the 068 cam with a standard shift. They were 10 to 1 = compression and rated at around 320 HP. The 69 HO got the big valve heads = to. >>> pjozif@hotmail.com 04/24/01 06:48PM >>> First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List .......................................................................... which cam would be best tsuited to a lower compression 350? the 066, 067 = or the summit 2800 (204/214 @.050). I am looking to build close to 300hp, and = want a mean lopey idle. I know the 066, 067 have a much smaller lift = (.407) compared to the 2800 summit cam(.420/442) tell me which is best, and how 1.65 rockers would help. Rod
(back) Subject: Re: 066,067,summit 2801 From: "Joe Brown" <jb.pb@gte.net> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 17:09:08 -0400 I ran a 2802 Summit cam in my 350 for about a month , Idle sounded great , = I would lose power brakes if I idle to long , put it drive I would have to stand on them ,than I figure to rev the motor up first to build vacuum = ,had to turn off the A/C to idle . I had a 2400 stall behind it , it was not enough stall , barely would break the tires , if I power braked it would take off than the tires would spin , alittle . I had 3:55 gear ,I think = that would be all you would need . RPM 's above 3000 it would pull really nice = , low end suffered . Pontiac engines are design to pull big cars , lots of = low end torque with good HP . I reinstalled the Summit 2801 cam , 2400 stall , 3:55 posi ,turbo 400 trans , ported heads ,750 Holley ,E-brock intake , = Dual Ex , No slicks , best time of 15.20 @96 mph and 60' of 2.0 to 2.2 , I = think high 14's is possible with this combo . I have never used Nitrous , but = that is always a possible . Joe
(back) Subject: Re: Gas Prices From: <NoPinkTutu@aol.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 17:16:25 EDT In a message dated 4/25/2001 2:02:00 PM Central Daylight Time, pinec@pitnet.net writes: << About gas pricing, lets get more specific, I live in Wisconsin and the state and federal taxes combined are .54 >> Todd, are you sure about the federal tax? I thought it was much higher? = Maybe I'm mistaken. The state tax here in Kansas is around 30 cents. But the legislature is trying to raise it to 34. I'd have sworn I heard on TV that = in most states the combined tax is close to half the total price. = Wayne
(back) Subject: WANTED: 69 Convertible From: "Duane Bender" <dbender@dotcomify.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 17:28:06 -0400 Hello, Looking for a 69 Firebird convertible 'shell': - prefer southern car (i.e. mostly rust-free body) - drivetrain not important / not required - interior not too important, prefer ok cond (black) Anybody got one/know of one? :) -Duane
(back) Subject: Re:Coolant Levels From: "Lee" <pyre400@yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 14:32:48 -0700 (PDT) Thanks Bob! I did not know that the coolant could get in through there. I was told that there was a hole which would let the coolant out at the water pump, but what you say makes sense. I might just have to crack that sucker open and check things out if the problem returns was not solved by the new gasket. Thanks to FIREBIRDACE@aol.com too... I figured that would be a good level too, but I wanted to make sure with the other folks. I am still going to keep a close eye on things. Thanks again Lee __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices http://auctions.yahoo.com/
(back) Subject: Re: hood hinge spring follow up... From: <Jimc2002@aol.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 17:55:33 EDT I installed my new hood hinge springs today and they work great with my = old cleaned and painted hinges. I worked a couple hours under the hood today without a stick holding it up. They were the same size and exact look of = the 32 year old ones on the car. But what a difference in pull when I used = the channel locks to take the old ones off and put the new on. I had = purchased the orig GM from Year One. They were $13.95 ea. ($2 more than their = latest catalog - a problem Year One seems to have too often). Jim 68 400HO Conv
(back) Subject: Turn signal switch From: "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 18:15:36 -0400 Recently the turn signal switch has been malfunctioning on my 68 coupe. = It does not automatically turn off when I make a right turn. I know this is = a common problem with any car that has been around for a number of years but I've never actually fixed it before. Is this a problem with the "Turn = Signal Switch?" This part is in the Ames catalog (F-8c) on page 70 and it = says there are two brands, distinguishable by color. If that is indeed the part I need to replace, does it require that I remove the steering wheel to get to it? My 68 has a wood wheel and is a console shift auto... = I assume I'll need a "puller" to get the wheel off. Any recomendations here? Never done this before... Thanks in advance for your advice! Mike 68 350 Coupe
(back) Subject: One other thing...cooling From: "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 18:21:10 -0400 Forgot to ask this in my last post... My radiator has started leaking again so I think I'm going to just junk it and get a Desert Cooler from Ames. In the process I'm going to replace the water neck since it seems = to be warped and occasionally drips too. Last year the previous owner put a 190 degree thermostat in, and I'm considering switching to a 180 as = offered by Ames. The car runs about 210 degrees steady, any traffic or idle. = Does this sound like a good idea or should I just leave the 190? Thanks again... like everyone I trust the experts here to help make the best decisions. Mike 68 350 Coupe
(back) Subject: RE: Gas Prices From: "Rodger Fromm" <rwfromm@nf.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 20:16:01 -0230 I do not know about the rest of canada, but the stat i head for here in Newfoundland is that 54% of the price of gas is road and environmental taxes. Rodger 68 350 (the price for 87 just hit the $0.889/liter mark which is over $3.30 a gallon...though with exchange is $2.15 US/gal...shame i do not have = american money) -----Original Message----- From: Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com [mailto:Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com]On Behalf Of Todd Chynoweth Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 3:58 PM To: First Generation Firebird-L Subject: Re: Gas Prices First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List .......................................................................... About gas pricing, lets get more specific, I live in Wisconsin and the state and federal taxes combined are .54 and another .05 increase in state tax in the near future, with the tax included the price 87 octane $1.66 92 octane $1.90 what are total tax amounts around the country or world? I believe that is where majority of the difference lies. Just another angle Todd
(back) Subject: Re: Shock mounting plates From: "Bob Cisneros" <Bob.Cisneros@Sun.COM> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 15:48:53 -0700 (PDT) Lance writes: >I still haven't got an answer on this so I'm going to try again. Hope you >guys haven't black balled me ;{)> Nope. I think that the silence may be due to there being no one looking at the list right now who has done this upgrade. >The plates I ordered will cause the shocks to have to be offset. One = shock >on the front of the axle, the other on the rear. Currently, both my = shocks >attach at the front of the axle. I also noticed that the upper shock = mounts >are also offset to the front of the axle. > >I contacted Classic Industries, and Bob in their tech department said = that >the plates would work without a problem. I don't see how. Seems to me = that >the shock that mounts behind the axle is going to be a problem. If I were you, I'd just go ahead and install the springs and new plates. While I haven't swapped from single to multi leaf springs on a '67, I strongly believe that the upper shock mounts are either the same, or not different enough to allow for a staggered shock arrangement. The top of the rear shock is a bayonet type or stud mount, and this should allow for some deflection. The bottom of the shock is offset only a few inches at the bottom, which translates to just a few degrees at the top. >On the fun side, My wife got a wild hair, and decided she wanted a new = Ram >Air, so this last weekend, we went out and test drove one. Beautiful car. >Not as much power as my 400 on the low end, but man does it move once you >get the R's up! Handles like a dream too. The new Firebirds are great. But I also feel passionately about the 1st and 2nd generation cars. That's why I own both a '68 and a 2000. Joe Geigel writes: >The Stock 68 mounting plates do have the staggered shocks. It has been = much >talked about in the Firebird books. Supposedly it fixes a problem that = the 67s >had. Joe, I'm fairly certain that Lance was asking about the upper shock mount. Would a 1967 differ from the later cars enough to cause problems when he mounts his shocks staggered with his new multi leaf kit. I think that he'll be OK. -BoB San Jose, CA 1968 convertible bob.cisneros@Sun.COM
(back) Subject: Re: Gas Prices From: "ray russell" <fastolbird@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 18:02:52 -0500 todd, where in wisconsin are you? i am in eagle, in waukesha county. ray 67 coupe, modified www.hotrodder.com/fastolbird - > = ......................................................................... > About gas pricing, lets get more specific, I live in Wisconsin and the > state and federal taxes combined are .54 and another .05 increase in = state > tax in the near future, with the tax included the price 87 octane = $1.66 > 92 octane $1.90 > > what are total tax amounts around the country or world? > I believe that is where majority of the difference lies. > > Just another angle > Todd > >
(back) Subject: Re: Turn signal switch From: "ROY D LUMSDEN" <rlumsden@tampabay.rr.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 19:46:58 -0400 Mike, To fix the turn signal return cam you must replace the cam and wiring harness inside the column. Although it doesn't require you remove the column, you just about have to dismantle the top portion to remove the harness plug. It will require a couple of tools: a steering wheel puller = and a hub(?) puller. Both are available at your local auto parts stores. If you've never had a column apart, I recommend you find a friend to walk you through it or be very careful and make detailed notes of EVERYTHING. Once you pull the "C" clip off the shaft, things and get pretty scary. If you can hold off, try to find a cheap column at you local U-Pull-It yard = and practice first on it. There are three little springs that, unless your careful, can get lost quickly. Good Luck, Roy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> To: <Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 6:15 PM Subject: Turn signal switch > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > Recently the turn signal switch has been malfunctioning on my 68 coupe. It > does not automatically turn off when I make a right turn. I know this = is > a common problem with any car that has been around for a number of years > but I've never actually fixed it before. Is this a problem with the = "Turn > Signal Switch?" This part is in the Ames catalog (F-8c) on page 70 and = it > says there are two brands, distinguishable by color. If that is indeed > the part I need to replace, does it require that I remove the steering > wheel to get to it? My 68 has a wood wheel and is a console shift = auto... > I assume I'll need a "puller" to get the wheel off. Any recomendations > here? Never done this before... Thanks in advance for your advice! > > Mike > 68 350 Coupe > >
(back) Subject: Re: RE Sprint trans mounts From: "Glenn Uettwiller" <birdman@gdi.net> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 20:39:44 -0400 I'm wondering if Daniel's missing the extension plate? If I recall correctly, and I only have a minute - I could check the parts book in a few days - there's a plate that extends the position of the mount used for the weight that attaches between the regular trans mount and the trans tail housing, then another mount hangs the weight behind that. It should be something that's pretty simple to fabricate from flat steel. Glenn aka birdman Gary Patrick wrote: > > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > > Subject: Re: Firebird-L Digest #1874 > From: "Daniel Dominick" <ddominick@austinc.edu> > Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 10:37:12 -0500 > > Hey List, > > Does anyone know about the transmission mounts for a 68 3spd Saginaw (on = a > Sprint)? Are all of the mounts in the catalogues (Year One, Ames, etc. > seem to list only list one for all transmissions) correct? Does anyone > know where to get the rubber mount for the damper/weight that hangs > underneath? > > Dan > 68 Sprint Convertible > (Slowly being put back together) > > Dan you most likely wont find the same GM trans and damper mounts. > Any mount for 4 speed of that era will work for both. > Careful that weight is heavy. > Gary
(back) Subject: Re: Shock mounting plates From: <JGeigel@aol.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 22:12:53 EDT In a message dated 4/25/2001 5:09:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Bob.Cisneros@Sun.COM writes: Bob, I must have missed that, I thought the 67 and 68 models had the same upper = mount that goes into the trunk. Since you pointed this out, I opened up = my Year One catalog to check out the replacement sheet metal for the rear = shock tower. Sure enough, the left hand 1967 is unique to itself, while the = right side is the same as the 68 and 69s. Perhaps the top of the shock really = was located in a different spot. That would explain why staggering them on a = 67 might require some work. If anyone on the list has a 67 and a 68, it = would be interesting to compare. Joe Geigel Joe Geigel writes: >The Stock 68 mounting plates do have the staggered shocks. It has been = much >talked about in the Firebird books. Supposedly it fixes a problem that = the 67s >had. Joe, I'm fairly certain that Lance was asking about the upper shock mount. Would a 1967 differ from the later cars enough to cause problems when he mounts his shocks staggered with his new multi leaf kit. I think that he'll be OK. -BoB San Jose, CA 1968 convertible bob.cisneros@Sun.COM