I just did a search on the parts store i have been using for the past 20 years. Searched for various parts for 1968 firebird. They don't have any power steering parts in stock. Nothing. No gasket sets. only valve cover gaskets and intake manifold gaskets. That's it.
Most everything now has to come out of a warehouse in Phoenix which can take a day or 2.
Here we go

Did either of these templates ever surface?

X2 for VR1. Usually Walmart is cheapest, sometimes Menards.
RockAuto has Wix filters about as cheap as anyone.

Only Brad Penn or VR1 goes in my engine.

I just ordered conventional Pennzoil 30W (as I've always used in the '68) from Amazon.

When I saw it was a case, as pictured, for $38.49 I thought, "wow the price has really climbed." Then I saw the "case" was 6 quarts, not 12 like they were since always. Good grief.

I get most of my oil from Walmart and use their brand of oil, I have seen tests of the oil, and it compares to the name brands. I check Rock Auto for AC brand filters, they are usually the cheapest but sometimes the shipping costs more. I also compare prices with Amazon because of the free shipping

I work on classic vehicles daily.
Just yesterday i needed to pick up some power steering fluid and ATF for a 1973 vehicle i am working on That i just replaced all of the steering components. I was just looking for a cheap Dextron to top of the transmission. What used to be $2.00 is now $7.89. The parts that used to be available at an acceptable price at most part stores like a power steering pump has doubled as well, that's if you can find one.
My guy at the parts store that i have been dealing with for 20 years came out and said yea, parts that were once $30 not so long ago are now $130.
Even if you want to do a service on your automatic transmission its over $100 for just the fluid. An oil change with a good quality oil and filter is just about the same.
It is not getting any better.

Over the years the button sunk down to a point that could not removed using screwdrivers. Two small screwdrivers were used to remove (broken one ear missing) snap ring. Will be ordering a new button and snap rings and a new shift lever slide.

The idle solenoid really doesn't matter especially if you don't have a functioning AC system. It just kicks the idle up when the AC compressor is engaged and pulling down the idle RPM a bit.
There are a few aftermarket kick down switches available if you want to wire that in.
Weather you need it or not depends on how you drive the car.

I am putting my 68 firebird 400 TH400 can back together and I noticed on my quadrajet I don't have either the Kickdown switch or the idle control solenoid.

I am assuming I can just not worry about the idle stop solenoid and just tie off the wire from the harness?

On the kickdown switch since I can't find one should I not wire up the wire to the solenoid on the transmisson? Am I correct in assuming that without the switch I should not wire to the solenoid?

Thanks.

hello Milton, I will get some info for you this week! thanks!

If automatic, take off the snap ring just below the knob. Just take it out of the groove and slide it down. Then slide the knob down the stick so you can see the button clip. Carefully pry out on the clip tab as you pull off the button. The top snap ring is easy to take off now. Slide the knob up and off.

From: https://firstgenfirebird.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/35586.html

Hi,
I would like info on how to remove my 69 bird's automatic console shifter nob. I have to replace the shifter slide. I also need to replace the plastic inserts for the small screws that hold down the top plate.
Thanks
Sam

I'm Milton. Am interested. Could you send some pics and information, like the vin and cowl tag? My email is [email protected]. Thanks.