Notes and updates. Since there is so many of you guys who help ,instruct, teach, advise etc. I thought it right to keep you guy up to date as to where we stand in our progress.
Right now the motor is out and at the builders and not due back here for atleast 4 weeks. I have decided to take on a bunch more tasks while the motor is gone. While removing the motor the bottom heater core spout was found to be loose, thats an added job. I did get the heater unit out without breaking anything (small victory) I also removed the lower air dam , 5 bolts came out , 2 broke and 1 I ground off. Nothing is easy on auto's, I could not remove the lines from the steering box, the line wouln not spin inside of the not. I ended up cutting it off.
The inside of the engine compartment is a greasy mess. a thorough cleaning is in order and a paint job is in line. I will be using black paint by Hirsh
Boy theres a lot of structure and metal that is in pretty good shape when you really look at it. But, the welds on the main cross member of the subfame are ugly. I use to weld years ago, self taught, and I think I could have done a nicer job. Random notes: The fender skirts on wheel wells were "Stapled on" What the heck kind of staple goes through sheet steel? Found out the back bolts on front seat are a pain in the butt when removing it for the heater box extraction. Man, we have alot of cleaning to do.
Bill V
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Not sure how the factory attached the inner fender "skirts", but we home garage techs have to put the new skirts on by hand with thick metal staples that come with skirts. I found that installation required a block of wood behind the inner fender/skirt for support and two pairs of needle nose pliers. An assistant is recommended.
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
Depending on how frisky you wan't to get, it's easy now to pull the whole front clip OFF. Just 2 radiator support bolts (bushings should be replaced anyway) and where both fenders mount to the cowl, 3 or 5 bolts each side.
Get a pressure washer if you don't have one, makes quick work of 50 years of grime.
Be aware! You will have the issue of re-alignment of the body and subframe upon re-attachment. Not an impossible task but definitely a head scratch moment when you start to think that might not hav been the best idea. Think about the fact that if it gets mounted back on too far to the rear you may have tire to inner fender clearance you didn't have before. Or if it gets bolted back on a little crooked the car might track kind of weird. Not trying to talk you out of it, just be aware there are things that can happen.if you decide to take half the car apart. Not to mention any additional issues you may ncover in he mean time. Like if the mounting pads are rotted away you may have to weld new ones in
Heck no, I'm not pulling the front half off. but, alignment is going to be one of my questions when I get ready to do the Subframe bushings. I will attempt to do them one at a time or one side at a time. I'm am preetty good at marking things before loosening so I'll start with that.
bill v
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
The factory guide pins holes at the center bushing locations (firewall) will get you pretty close but the frame dimensions in the Firebird Factory Service Supplement give front subframe cross point measurements that allow you to square up the subframe really well.
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
That sweatshirt looks pretty clean so far. All I got was grief about why I wasn't working on the yard instead of installing my guide plates on the motor. At least I got that done. The yard is going to take forever.
Keep us posted on progress, and hat's off to the MRS. for helping.
Cant wait for summer... 68HO4004spvert Sleddog Iowa
God Bless the men and women past and present that have served this country. Thank you. Support D.A.V. - it helps gives a life back to those who gave so much for us.....
Sleddog, Technically its her car, She better work on it!!
Her clothes are pretty dirty from this weekend as she was under the car for the subframe bushings and cleaning the engine compartment. Ill post some picks.
If you guys could visit the Subframe thread, I have a few questions there. and am going to start a thread on Exhaust Manifolds. Thanks
I spent this weekend on subframe, manifold repair, heater core box clean up and clean up of power steering pump.
New repop heater core arrived on Sat. its not the same as the original, Surprise!!!! The tubes are longer and they have a much more severe bend to the bottom tube (like maybe 25 to 30 Deg.). Don't think I'd be able to get it back together this way. My plan is to take it to a radiator shop and have them dup the angle for me and pressure test it.
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
That will be a beauty when you are done with it! This is definitely one way to stay in tune with your significant other.
Keep us posted!
Cant wait for summer... 68HO4004spvert Sleddog Iowa
God Bless the men and women past and present that have served this country. Thank you. Support D.A.V. - it helps gives a life back to those who gave so much for us.....
We were able to get the heater core in and back in place, man that was a struggle. Had a rad shop redo the hose barbs for me and it was still a struggle to get it in. This week had us cleaning up more parts and the Mrs was back in the engine compartment cleaning again. I painted the power steering pump, the heater box and the distributor clamp.
We also found out this bird has something that none of your firebirds has::
It own stash of "Vintage Oak Leaves" yup, I doubt any of you guys have that! After we struggled putting the heater back in the car, we decided to end the weekend with pulling off the pass side kick panel. Should have done that before installing the heater, I had no idea that part was that deep. The pic below shows the opening where the kick panel inserts. I'm not sure how those leaves got in there,Mice are involved I know. Is there an opening to the outside of car through there somewhere?
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Make sure you use copious amounts of 3M strip caulk when reinstalling the kick panel vent, otherwise you will have a nice fat water leak...ask me how I know
It comes down from the cowl past the windshield wiper transmission. There should be a small opening at the bottom to let water drain out, but it usually gets plugged with leaves and crap. Which is why it always rusts out right at the bottom of the fender.
-=>Lee<=- Due to budget constraints the "light at the end of the tunnel" has been turned off!
Thanks Dr. Drive, thats exactly the kind of things I wouldn't know. You can see some of the chalk in upper right in the pic. thought it was there to stop it from moving or vibrating.
Geeze Mush, I had no idea it access to the atmosphere. I can see the squirrel cage for the blower motor up through there. So, I guess it draws in fresh air for the heater??? or when vent is open lets fresh air in to passenger cabin???
we did find a triangle piece of dense foam rubber in there, anyone know what it is? 6 or 7 inches long
bill v
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Great Thanks, i'll get that foam piece back in place some day. surprised how good a shape its in.
Pushed the car outside today and hit it with the powerwasher in the engine compartment. Didn't clean up the way I wanted. pushed her back in and will try to clean her up by hand tomorrow.
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
We made some progress this weekend. the Motor compartment is painted. I have most everything else cleaned and ready, still waiting for a call for parts from the motor builder. have just a few things to get ready, and ordered a few things that were needed .
Random notes from this weekend:::
~Power washer didn't clean much, elbow grease worked best ~Got the garage cleaed up ~can't believe how good the exhaust manifolds look after cleaning and painting ~Front end of car sits higher without the motor in it
A Tip Of My Cap To You Guys!!!
I have to hand it to you guys. It sounds as though most of you guys have had these cars apart from top to bottom. I didn't just realise this but its in my mind more this weekend after spending about 14 hrs in the garage Sat and Sun. You guys must have spent a ton of time on your cars and did a massive amount of work on them. Ya know? we spent a ton of time on painting the motor cavity and we did a "paint around" job. Taped everything up and painted as good as we could, still took a long time as do many other jobs you get involved with. I see now why it takes so long to do a restoration let alone a down to every nut and bolt job.
Here's a few before and after picks.
Bill V
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Well, the motor is in and running, a few problems remain, had a manifold break and have a pulley line up problem.
Was at the builders for the dyno run. I learned a ton doing that. had some issues to over come. In the end. it topped out at 240Hp on a standard build. sounded great
here are some random pics,
I whipped!!!
Last edited by bill v; 04/30/1709:37 PM.
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
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
This is a long over due update from Bill V's garage!
May was busy, we were on a fast pace trying to get the motor in and running. We were rushing trying to get set before a vacation out to the Grand Canyon, Zion and Colorado. As you saw in the last picks, motor was in and running that weekend by Sunday evening. We did so many things its kinda hard remembering back even just 4 weeks ago.
Quick notes: -Motor in and running -hood back on -seats back in -Broke Passenger side manifold, replaced -had to buy a deeper waterpump pulley due to new long snout pump -and tons of other small things to get back going
Lots of things still to do after Vacation, tidy up wires etc...
Heres a pick of the first drive by the MRS. and a couple other random pics.
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
was busy last week at work after a week away so no work on bird was done until today, 5/29. We spent 7 hrs in the garage today on a rainy holiday (Thanks to our fallen vets and families). I had not cleaned up the motor yet eventhough we had been driving it every other day or so. Today we put on wire holders(spark plug) vac hose trough , Grounding strap from the motor to chassis, swapped some of the wires, repaired a vac line.
There is a mis I'm hearing and I hope that maybe that ground wire might clear it up( I'm weak in that area) Have not checked since we still have the car down and am done for the day, I will revisit this soon.
Will be calling the exhaust shop tomorrow and make an appointment so, I took the x-plate off of the bottom of car. Boy wait til you see the pics, My guess is this plate has never been off this car. must have been a half inch of crud, dirt , sand,oil mix. Man, is Mary good at cleaning parts! I have it in the basement hanging painted right now, will go back in tomorrow. I didn't want the exhaust guy to have to deal with such a dirty part.
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Tomorrow I plan on getting the x-plate back in, hood back on and try to stop a small coolant leak. Hopefully I can accomplish that.
Upcoming threads:
I think we're set on the exhaust, duel, resonnators and a croos flow muffler. I'll leave it un-tipped for now and add those later. Thanks 68 for the help.
I will start a thread on the front end suspension, I need the full scoop. Someone I've for many years is going to do the work for me but, I fell I need a education session if you guys will.
I'm trying to keep an eye forward and in front of me so, I'll need some info on rear suspension too and balance of both as far as clearences, appearance, wheel size etc.. Right now the tires we have on the car are smaller in the front. I kinda like it for now but, don't know if we'll keep it that way or not.
Interesting find in Bill V's garage, I will post pictures.
During the weeks of getting her back running. I had that pulley issue (long snout/short snout pump). I had an idea I had a spare pully some where, hey! maybe its the one I need I said to my self. I didn't know where it might be. I had this old Milk crate sitting in the corner of the garage but, in my mind it had a half a dozen old starters in it that we were always changing back in the day. I decided to pull it out thinking maybe that pulley might be in there, ((( remember, this cars motor is the motor out of my 69 custom S))). what I found in that crate of starters is what I think is the original Carb,Distributor,Power steering pump, oil filter houshing and a few other parts out of the Firebird. along with 2 starters. Wow I thought thats cool and here I thought that large milk crate was all starters. thought you guys would like to hear about that find, Those parts were wrapped up in 1985 newspaper
Bill V
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Cant wait for summer... 68HO4004spvert Sleddog Iowa
God Bless the men and women past and present that have served this country. Thank you. Support D.A.V. - it helps gives a life back to those who gave so much for us.....
no real hard work today, some clean up (interior) and I decided to look into the sound system. We also made our longest ride today , nearly 27 miles, no issues. Top down and nice and relaxing. The Mrs. is happy to drive her car.
Had wondered why the sound system was bad, thouight maybe the contacts where bad on the quick disconnect or smoething. cleaned them up still no good. decided to pull speaker covers and maybe pull the whole system to bench work/. we'll no need to pull speakers yet, they're bad pic included. guess thats what happens in 35 years. I put that system in during the early 80's,
Last edited by bill v; 06/03/1708:57 PM.
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
I guess this is the monthly update from Bill V's garage since the last post was one month ago.
The exhaust is complete as noted in the exhaust tread but I will add a pic. The car sounds and seems to run much better, I especially noticed the noise (sound) from the seats are much much better.
The car is currently in the shop getting the front end complete overhaul. Had some trouble getting that center link as some had suggested would happen, am still waiting on that part. but we're on our way. I'll add a pic or 2 of the front.
The short notes:
* exhaust is complete * in for front end overhaul *sounds and runs much better * still need to get the engine running better * its time for its first oil change when it comes home *having some electrical problems, right blinker stop working during breaking, right reaf tail light works only half lit, and no dash lights
will start a few new threads: Rear suspension and window glass
thanks bill v
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Back again with an update. Have been very busy with new leadership at work. But we are moving forward with the bird quickly. The front end is now complete. all new parts, shocks, springs all bushings and knuckle parts are replaced. That centre link was a problem as some of you guys knew it would be. The front end is tighter and smooth now, can feel the rough ride coming from the rear now. The car was gone for almost 3 weeks waiting on the centerlink, that was kinda weird having an empty garage for the long.
Instead of listing some things here that I learned or observed, I will post some info to the threads involved, ie: front suspension thread etc...
Quick notes; front end smooth front end raised up 3 to 4" front shocks were doing nothing order rear leaf springs yesterday very happy with progress we're making
I never did start a window glass thread and will hold off on that one for now
Threads I will add to or start,
: Buyer beware thread on centrelink :add on to Front suspension thread :start a Tire size recommendation thread
I will also add a few pics
thanks bill v
empty garage
Non working shocks
filthy weak springs
orig centre link
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
well this thread has kinda turned into a monthly update. been very busy with all kinda things in life but, have made what we consider great progress on the bird this year as a whole. since the last update I changed the rear springs and shocks. I had never seen it done and ofcourse never did it before. I got through it, took me about 20 hrs, yes I said 20 hrs, it kicked my butt. I had a heck of a time getting the passenger side in and had a heck of a time getting the drivers side out. The car rides great now, i think over 80% of the rattles and clangs are gone now, its smooth. We're not driving a bucket of bolts anymore.
we started this ride just over 2 yrs ago and thank god I found this site and you guys that continue to help and advise. Thanks again guys!
A recap to date since we began. * rebuilt Trans and motor *all new brake system (drums around) *New suspension front and rear *new duel exhaust *new gas tank and fuel lines *new subframe bushings *tons of cleaning, painting , repairing small parts etc.....
man, we've come a long way but, we have a long way to go. we're real happy with where we are right now. We can drive the car with decent confidence that we won't get into too much trouble :)))
Next up is new tires, I ordered then last week.
We did have a scare last week. we had 2 drives in a row that end in a red idiot light when we stopped in idle once the oil was hot. i worried about oil pressure, we dont have a pressure gauge. I took it to the engine builder, he put a guage on it and assured me it was fine. I will be adding a gauge to it in the future.
Bill V
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
I didn't get a chance to post a few pics from the rear spring rebuild so here they are. now I know these are simpleton jobs and pics for you guys but maybe it will bring back some memories, hopefully good ones. Its amazing how bad some of these parts can look after time has gotten to them.
bill v
old airshock out of car
old air shock attached to the shock tower
old leaf spring end with degraded 48 year old bushing
jack stand convention
The rarest of all Firebirds, 1 of 1, a 3 leaf rear spring bird. well, when I took the plate off 2 springs just fell out, lol
broken leaf springs
Proof that I actually work on this bird
A cleaned up before paint front spring bracket
and the passengers side, close to finish
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top 1968 400 Convertible, verdoro green, black top 1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto 1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver)
Its been awhile since the last update. That bird tore me up last year but we made great progress.
Last year we: Had the motor re-built cleaned and painted the motor compartment had front suspension replaced Replaced rear suspension installed new tires replaced subframe bushings installed new heater core had new exsaust system put in and probably some things I can't remember
Whew, what a year!!!!
But it cost me, I did nothing but work on that car, I didnot work out and got myself in bad shape. I ended up pulling muscles in my torso and stretched a nerve in my arm. I then decided to hustle up for archery bseason by carrying too much weight into the woods to get set up. ended up tearing up my knee, yikes Well after surgery in Jan, I'm Back! lol
Ready to start on the next list.
3 jobs are up first, what I deemed most important
1- cut down the front coil springs , the car sits too high in the front 2-Oil gauge installation, since the oil light is always on, preesure is ok I had it back to builder to check 3- small coolent leak at heater hose, core end
I will try and post a current pic with the high front end, its kinda like driving a boat
I will start a new notes thread as this one is a little long.
Thanks Bill V
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Cant wait for summer... 68HO4004spvert Sleddog Iowa
God Bless the men and women past and present that have served this country. Thank you. Support D.A.V. - it helps gives a life back to those who gave so much for us.....
new notes: Well, we've had a bunch of good rides this year already, I don't have too many worries about driving this car anywhere. we've been on a few hour to 2 hour rides and our confidence to get home is basicly100%,
As stated in my last post, the front end was too high from the new coil springs from Ames that we had put in last year. In the last post I said that "I was going to cut them down" Well, that didnt go real well and was hard to accomplish. I found out a few things that make that a bad idea anyway.
I first removed the dr side shock, I ran all thread down through the top shock hole. I bolt a plate onto the spring and compressed the spring with tightening the nut. I got it up what I thought was high enough and proceeded to cut off one full curl and about 2" when I finally got it cut, the spring just pushed down and sat on the cut piece,SH#T man those springs are strong. It took me hours to weasel that piece out of there and only made a small difference in height. I tried to turn the spring so it wouls sit in the pocket of the lower controll arm, I couldn't budge it. I had someone tell me its in a pocket at the top too. so, that means I would have to cut it exactly lined up with the spring end pocket anyway and could not custom cut the height of the spring.
I pulled the old springs out of the rafters in the garage and took a look. I noticed the springs had flat ends on both sides so that makes cutting the springs a bad idea too.
The new plan. I spent hours cleaning up the original and painted them, they are going to be re installed this week. hope it goes well.
heres a few pics of the cleaned up springs
keep on driven!!!
bill v
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Sleddog, Yes , its been a heck of a journey already. One that we have enjoyed (Probably less if it was my car since Mary would most likely not be involved), one that we're proud of and one to do together.
For me; glad to be a mechanic again, eventhough auto's were something I messed with much
bill v
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Ok, first order of business is complete. If you remember from other post we weren’t thrilled about the way the car was sitting with the new springs in her. In the last post I cleaned and painted the old ones. Got the car back yesterday with the originals re-installed, in our eyes what a difference. The whole posture of the car is different. It lowered the front end at the wheel centre just less then 2" . even the rear looks higher and probably is . slightly....
I will put before and after pics on top of each other. look at the gap between the front wheel and the wheel well opening
Bill V
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!