I have found a 68 firebird shell. My question is if I do the body and then rebuild the engine (with a friend who knows what he's doing) how much would it cost to have the whole drive train installed at a shop? What is easy to do that I may be able to do to reduce this cost? I have just very basic mechanic skills so please forgive me ignorance.
Jordan,glad to see you found a car. If your friend knows how to rebuild an engine,he should be able to install one for some Molson Canadian beer! Pay him after it's done though. Its not that hard to drop an engine/tranny into the car. Rent an engine hoist from your local equipment rental store or buy one(they are quite reasonable,try princess auto) and you can take your time with it or for future use. http://www.princessauto.com/PAcountry.cfm?CTRY=CAN&INF=home They have them from $299cnd to $399cnd and they are on sale frequently.My friend bought the $399 one with the engine stand included for $249 not too long ago.There is a store in Ottawa.
David
http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=571 If i don't get this car back on the road soon i'm gonna go postal! On a quest for FGF knowledge 1968 Pontiac Firebird Convertible 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass "S" Convertible *Sold*
I totally agree - normally it only costs me a six-pack or 2 of beer.
New engine installations are ALWAYS a cause for celebration around my house. Hopefully to be quickly followed by an "engine firing" party.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
It's not that hard to pull/install the engine and tranny in these cars. I would do it yourself with a helper. I've actually done both by myself, but it takes about twice as long to do. I will be pulling the engine out of my Firebird for the 3rd time in 2 years in the near future (new subframe). Good luck and congratulations!
If you do choose to pay, expect to be charged somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 to 12 hours. It doesn't mean that they'll spend that long; instead, it means that about how many labor hours they'll charge.
well my buddy is just finnished his 48 week auto course and new to this mechanic stuff. He rebuilt an engine for class and worked with his uncle on another. The reason I ask about getting somebody else to install is because he says he wouldn't want to wire and get into the trans stuff till he's sure he knows what he's doing which may take a while because he has a job now where he does front end stuff only.
the wiring is easy, especially if the Pontiac harness is already in place and you are putting a Pontiac engine back in. I have a '69, but it's not too different, and I can send you the wiring diagrams if you need them.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Find a mechanic between 60 and 80 years old and see if he's willing to help you out. Chances are he will as he probably hasn't seen one of these things for 20 years and would love the opportunity to get his "hands dirty" on one again. He could probably give you more info in an hour than most modern day mechanics could in a week.
Hi Jordan, Wanted to send you a message since you are the only other Ottawa resident that I have seen post on the FGF site. I'm in the west end and have a 68 Coupe, you can view it at the on-line car show http://firstgenfirebird.org/show/index.mv car #322. You can reach me at jmartell@magma.ca if ever you'd like to talk Pontiacs. cheers Jeff Martell
Pay him after it's done though. Its not that hard to drop an engine/tranny into the car. Rent an engine hoist from your local equipment rental store or buy one(they are quite reasonable,try princess auto) and you can take your time with it or for future use.
