So this Sunday I pickup a 1969 firebird 400 I believe. I score an unbelievable deal on the car. I am new to this site but I am a regular on my nova site as I also have 64 nova sedan that's in a million pieces:). I hope to get the car running and go thru the brakes then not do much to it other than keep it road worthy. I don't think I can call it a barn find but it has been in a family friends back yard for 20+ years where they parked it and never touched it again. I believe it's a 400/400 combo with a cam installed. They then added a electric fan to the radiator to help with cooling after the cam. Man dad has told me stories about the car be a "runner" as he called from back in the day. He use to car pool to work with these guys back when I was a kid. Other than the cam and fan they added a spoiler and painted it twice. It's all there I think minus the chrome at the wheel wells. I hope you guys can help educate me as I am very excited.

Do you guys use photobucket for pics on this site?

Welcome to the best 1st gen site you'll find anywhere and congratulaions on the car upgrade. Yes the power to weight ratio for Firebirds, especially the 400s, was what makes them such fun to drive. It's also why you will hear so many people talk about the one that their buddy used to have back in the day...before the crash.

We need pics!

You can post photos either through a hosting site or by attaching them.

There is a topic on this under "How to Log In..."

Can you tell me any details just by the pics. I know he still has the tach stuff for the hood and the trim in the engine bay that goes between the core support and nose. Thanks for the welcoming. Will take me a bit to navigate around this site.

Looks like you got something good to start with.

If it's a 400 car, it's missing specific items, the 400 bumper, air bafles and chrome rings in the grill. By the way, you cannot buy the chrome rings, and I hope it stays that way!

DO NOT REMOVE the nose, NEVER because that's about as good as it gets for alignment. If take the nose off, I'll do the I-told-you-so now, not later. (It's easy to put back on but no one seems to know how, and the only way I would be involved in a nose job is for CASH.)

If you take your time, you can remove the covers and gaskets without disturbing the nose alignment. That way, you can work around the nose while it mantains its position. But do it whatever way you want.

Thxs for the reply. Good to know these details. Wasn't there a 400 car that did not have the functional baffles? Or maybe I am think of something else? When I get the car I am sure you guys can help with the coding in the VIN or I can find more details online.

I was told the car was purchased new by our family friends cousin. They sold it to him in the late 70's and he drove it until about mid to late 80's. I can't wait to learn more about it.

If you mean hood scoops when you say baffles, the standard 400 cars had non functioning scoops while the ram air 400 cars had functional hood scoops.

the baffles Amervo referred to would be in front of radiator up on top, closing those approx 8 x 14 holes there either side of the hood mechanism , inside the gussets...the often are called X panels as they have an X stamped into them...the hood s scoops on yours look chromed, not original, some 69 cars sold in Canada got chromed scoops by a dealer...some others have since chromed them also. the stock scoop is closed...some people cut them open , but also some 'ram air' cars had open scoops...

Is that supposed to be a Carousel Red paint job? The paint around the engine bay looks like it might be. If it is, it is the worst fade job I have seen for a while. You mentioned that it was re-painted a couple of times and that makes me wonder what they used (lacquer- enamal). I hope that it is a Carousel Red (code# 72) because I'm a little biased toward that color.
Anyway, welcome to the site and as others have said, it is the best site for first gen Firebirds that you will find.

Yeah he says he has those xpanels in the garage. I am unsure what the original color was. I have a picture of when it was black and then they went to orange. I know the family and it was cheap paint jobs. What pics can I take that will help you guys educate me on the car? So excited for Sunday lol

Ordering the Pontiac Historical Society or PHS docs for the car would answer many questions.

The body tag from the firewall would provide clues as to original color.

That car was an early 68 build. Most likely October 4th week or somewhere into Nov.

We need a close up of the data plate.

This car is a repaint...no doubt. Missing 400 engine specific items...too many to debate.

Engine does look original.

I say, yes, nice car but me thinks its a 350 car with a 400 hood/tach added for cool factor.

Be a few hours but I will post some more photos when I get it home. Crossing my fingers its a 400 car.

She at her new home. Car was originally yellow, then black, now fade orange. The old owners say they sat down and figured out it has been sitting for 23 years in the backyard. They do not remember the specs on the cam shaft. They do remember adding the larger radiator and electric fans in effort to run ac. The one brother did chrome the baffles as he thought it was "cool". They gave me the trim for the rear window and the wheel wells. Rear end was built also as they spun a bearing.

Do this site have a build thread section?

The only way to be sure is to send for the PHS.

Here's and article I wrote on identifying 1969 Firebird 400's that may help you out.

http://www.musclecarfilms.com/1969_Firebird_400_identification.html

Mike

By baffles, I'm presuming you mean hood scoops?

Looks good for sit'n so long.
Ck the letter/number stamp on R/F engine block. May be original.

I will check! If I can see it around this big [censored] ac unit

Dont worry, you can get the chrome grill inserts unlike what was told to you.
http://www.classicindustries.com/firebird/parts/f12310.html
You can even find them on ebay... all it actually takes is a little looking around.

and I bought my set used from Terry while he was alive

<Dont worry, you can get the chrome grill inserts unlike what was told to you.>

That sucks! The problem I have is if Ames, a Pontiac-only vendor, doesn't sell them, the consumer should be wary when other's sell what Ames will not stock.

I wouldn't buy anything from Classics because the specalize in hoodwinking people. Here's one item off the long list of no-fit parts that Classic sells:

http://www.classicindustries.com/firebird/parts/e285.html

Notice they say 7-9? The 9 drag-link is a stand alone part, meaning it will not fit a 9. Also, this is more than common knowlege, so it isn't l;ike it's a big secret. When you have a vendor who will knowingly sells a long string of parts that will not fit your car, you need to stay away.

If they will sell you a drag-link that doesn't fit, they'll sell you chrome rings that don't fit, perhaps the reason Ames doesn't sell them.

By the way, I paid about $160 for my drag link, a couple of years ago, so you get what you pay for.

Actually, like I posted you can also find them on ebay, and there were I think two other places I found them at. While I would agree that if you find something that says it fits a camero and nova on top of a Firebird, I would be sceptic and do some research as there are some parts that will fit on multiple vehicles but since we are referring to a 69 Firebird 400 specific part (chrome grille insert) I wouldnt worry about it. Anything you buy that is a repo for our cars is subject to fitting correctly, while I dont advocate for classic industries, since I feel that they are over priced, I have and still will buy from them when I cant find it anywhere else for cheaper. And a lot of the times you buy something for these cars the other vendors are selling the same item from the same repo manufacturer so just look for the best price and try to determain if it is from a company the manufactures quality parts

I think I am a long ways from buying chrome inserts. Currently I am trying to sell all the different wheel combinations the guy gave me with the car. Also about to tackle that PITA spark plug on the pass side.

If your talking about the rear two plugs on the pass side, get a spark plug socket (you can cut it shorter and that helps even more), then slip a ratchet wrench over the end of it. Access from the bottom. Easy.

Looks like you got a major score if the price is right. Car looks mostly complete and straight. Congrats!

Couldn't pass @ 2K. Feel like I stole it:)