First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List Gauge wiring by "Mark Wurtzel" <mwurtzel@flash.net> Re: MORE automotive proctology, or how to check your rear end! by "Glenn Uettwiller" <birdman@gdi.net> Re: Gauge wiring by "Bob Trimpe" <trimpe@fuse.net> Re: Coolant recovery tank by "Glenn Uettwiller" <birdman@gdi.net> Re: MORE automotive proctology, or how to check your rear end! by "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Proportioning valve by "Bob Trimpe" <trimpe@fuse.net> Re: Gauge wiring by "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> 67 AM Radio by "Paul and Sarah" <psb357@altavista.com> Re: Gauge wiring by <hugoba@apcom.com> Re: Proportioning valve by <Pzary3233@aol.com>
(back) Subject: Gauge wiring From: "Mark Wurtzel" <mwurtzel@flash.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 17:05:01 -0800 I'm installing 4 small aftermarket gauges (electrical, not mechanical) in = my Firebird. I have already built a panel but now have a question about = wiring them, or more specifically grounding them! I remember the concept of parallel and series wiring from physics classes but do not remember if this same concept applies to grounding. That is, would there be a problem running a ground wire to gauge #1, a = wire from #1's ground terminal to #2's ground terminal, another wire from #2's ground terminal to #3's ground terminal?? Or do I have to run 4 separate wires from a ground to reach gauge? The first option seems like it would work to me, but I don't recall ever seeing anything wired like that so I was hoping there might be someone = with a bit of electrical expertise that could help me out!! Thanks, Mark '68 Convertible
(back) Subject: Re: MORE automotive proctology, or how to check your rear end! From: "Glenn Uettwiller" <birdman@gdi.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 22:37:55 -0500 My apologies to the list for not remembering to change the address. However, if anybody can help, please do. I am wondering if I have memory failure about the "N" being on the axle housing from the 69 TA I sold several years ago - I have no way to check it out anymore. I only remember seeing it the day I was loading the disassembled car onto the truck rented by the buyer; I hadn't noticed it in the previous 10 years I owner the car! Glenn aka birdman PS Signing off the GMCnet for a while should re-activate me somewhat with this list (not to mention getting me back to working on my cars!). > = ......................................................................... > Tom Sexton wrote: > > > > Glenn, Do they list a part number and description for the RA V. I = would be > > very intrested. > > Thanks > > Tom Sexton > > Hey Tom. I came across this email when starting to "clean house", > electronically, that is. (I just signed off the job-related GMCnet; > those 100 emails a day of mostly chatty retired folks were severely > cutting into my time.) > > I took a peek at the parts book, and while there are a few RA V specific > parts, I was surprised at the ones that were the same. If you're still > interested, I'll try to find most of them. Since my parts book is July > 1969, it's usually quite near the end of a section. Tedious, yes, but > I'll highlight a bit if you want me to. > > What gets me, besides Frank Zeller's mentioning a very late 1969 model > axle bearing/housing production change (probably well into '70 > production for the rest of Pontiac), is there is no mention of a > "Nodular Iron" axle housing. The 69 Trans Am I sold had a big "N" raised > above the pinion (I haven't gone very public with this fact yet), but > there's no mention of it in my parts book. Curiousity has me wanting to > know if your RA V is equipped with such a thing. > > If somebody has a later book, maybe I'll get it checked out, but I want > to try to keep that in a small circle of folks until I can back it up > with more documentation. That TA was built about the same time my book > was printed, so maybe a later edition has a listing. In fact, there is > only one housing for each year (3 total) listed in my book. > > I also wonder if my 1969 Sprint convertible had a similar rear end, as > it was also a 3.55:1 posi. I've mentioned before that when my Dad first > owned this car, he traded the original rear end complete with the > springs to a 68 Camaro owner who swore the 'bird had his desired 4.11 > ratio and posi. My Dad wanted the Mono-Plate/3.08/open ratio combo that > was in the Camaro, and the guy did the swap for the deal. I've been > searching for a reasonably priced early '69 ZH rear ever since, dated > before my convertible's 12/17/68 build date. > > Glenn aka birdman
(back) Subject: Re: Gauge wiring From: "Bob Trimpe" <trimpe@fuse.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 21:50:23 -0500 Mark, Connecting ground to ground like you describe is called "daisy-chaining". = When wiring sensitive electronic components, its not a good idea, because it = can create a ground loop. This is where ground potential is slightly different between two supposed ground points, and you can actually get a small = current flow between grounds. In the case of electric car gauges, I don't think it would cause any = damage, but it may cause some slightly incorrect readings. If you want to wire it that = way, be sure to use a decent size ground wire (#14 stranded) and use star = washers against bare metal at the ground points. Bob Trimpe Mark Wurtzel wrote: > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > I'm installing 4 small aftermarket gauges (electrical, not mechanical) = in my > Firebird. I have already built a panel but now have a question about = wiring > them, or more specifically grounding them! > > I remember the concept of parallel and series wiring from physics = classes > but do not remember if this same concept applies to grounding. > > That is, would there be a problem running a ground wire to gauge #1, a = wire > from #1's ground terminal to #2's ground terminal, another wire from = #2's > ground terminal to #3's ground terminal?? Or do I have to run 4 = separate > wires from a ground to reach gauge? > > The first option seems like it would work to me, but I don't recall ever > seeing anything wired like that so I was hoping there might be someone = with > a bit of electrical expertise that could help me out!! > > Thanks, > > Mark > > '68 Convertible > >
(back) Subject: Re: Coolant recovery tank From: "Glenn Uettwiller" <birdman@gdi.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 22:54:29 -0500 Bob, Cork, just to shed a little light (very little) I took a quick look at my '71 Illustrations and my '69 Parts Books. I find no mention of a coolant reservoir system, but I also find no mention of California specs. There are lots of A.I.R parts listed, but the only notes are general, such as w/a.i.r. or wo/a.i.r. meaning with or without. Not much to add, but hopefully food for thought. Glenn aka birdman Bob Cisneros wrote: > > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > > Cork writes: > >Al; > > Thanks for the response. I'm really not talking about a CA built = car, > >but a CA delivered car. I have documentation that shows mine was sold = in CA > >upon assembly. Many cars were built at the two plants, but only a few = were > >delivered to CA. I'm not trying to say I'm not wrong, but as far as I = can > >determine, my car is totally originally. I'm the third owner. I know = the > >second owner's widow. I do not know the first owner. If a = modification was > >accomplished, it sure looks damn professional and I do not have a paper = trail > >(as I do with everything else that has happened to the car) to suggest = a > >modification. > > In the world of proving the originality of a car or its > parts, it actually works the other way. Being able to > document what is (or should be) there. In the case of > your coolant recovery tank, it would take a part number, > factory photo or drawing (as in an assembly, service, or > chassis manual), or manufacturer's promotional literature. > Modifications aren't always documented, and can happen > to even the most original looking car. Almost any reason > would have motivated someone to add this to keep the > radiator overflow from dumping on the ground. > > The earliest reference to a coolant recovery tank in my > parts books is for the 1973 model year, though there is > also a reference to a coolant recovery system package (?) > for the 1971-73 model years. This makes finding documentation > harder to prove. > > What would it take to be sure that your car rolled off the > assembly line with that tank? A part number on the item > itself, or a notation in the PHS billing docs that indicate > some special engine cooling feature (as in Cal. mandated). > The build sheet, if found, would also be proof. > > Could it be dealer added? Certainly possible. But to prove > that, you'd need a notation in the bill of sale or other > documentation that was handed to the buyer indicating that > this was done. > > Personally, I'd like to see this proven to be a rare but > actual factory feature. It would be most cool to know > that someone among us has found this on on his car. But > it would require proof to make it so. > > Al Rojas' car is, if I'm not mistaken, a California built > and delivered car. It is one of the best preserved original > cars I've ever seen, and loaded with lots of options. He's > even got the original window sticker! > > -Bob Cisneros San Jose, CA > 1968 Convertible > > bob.cisneros@Ebay.Sun.COM > >
(back) Subject: Re: MORE automotive proctology, or how to check your rear end! From: "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 21:03:42 -0600 Glenn, The rear end I was referring to had 3.55 in it. I still have what I = believe is one of the axial's with the roller bearing. It has yellow pant = on it "72 Temp" which I think means 72 Tempest. Maybe the 69s with 3.55 = 3.90 and 4.30 got the roller axial bearings? Frank >>> birdman@gdi.net 01/26/01 07:20PM >>> First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List .......................................................................... Tom Sexton wrote: > > Glenn, Do they list a part number and description for the RA V. I would = be > very intrested. > Thanks > Tom Sexton Hey Tom. I came across this email when starting to "clean house", electronically, that is. (I just signed off the job-related GMCnet; those 100 emails a day of mostly chatty retired folks were severely cutting into my time.) I took a peek at the parts book, and while there are a few RA V specific parts, I was surprised at the ones that were the same. If you're still interested, I'll try to find most of them. Since my parts book is July 1969, it's usually quite near the end of a section. Tedious, yes, but I'll highlight a bit if you want me to. What gets me, besides Frank Zeller's mentioning a very late 1969 model axle bearing/housing production change (probably well into '70 production for the rest of Pontiac), is there is no mention of a "Nodular Iron" axle housing. The 69 Trans Am I sold had a big "N" raised above the pinion (I haven't gone very public with this fact yet), but there's no mention of it in my parts book. Curiousity has me wanting to know if your RA V is equipped with such a thing. If somebody has a later book, maybe I'll get it checked out, but I want to try to keep that in a small circle of folks until I can back it up with more documentation. That TA was built about the same time my book was printed, so maybe a later edition has a listing. In fact, there is only one housing for each year (3 total) listed in my book. I also wonder if my 1969 Sprint convertible had a similar rear end, as it was also a 3.55:1 posi. I've mentioned before that when my Dad first owned this car, he traded the original rear end complete with the springs to a 68 Camaro owner who swore the 'bird had his desired 4.11 ratio and posi. My Dad wanted the Mono-Plate/3.08/open ratio combo that was in the Camaro, and the guy did the swap for the deal. I've been searching for a reasonably priced early '69 ZH rear ever since, dated before my convertible's 12/17/68 build date. Glenn aka birdman
(back) Subject: Proportioning valve From: "Bob Trimpe" <trimpe@fuse.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 21:52:28 -0500 Listers, I need a disk brake proportioning valve for my disk brake conversion project. Anybody got a line on one? The boneyards are coming up dry... Thanks, Bob Trimpe
(back) Subject: Re: Gauge wiring From: "Michael Howell" <fishgod@iglou.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 23:12:47 -0500 Mark - Can't think of any reason why daisy chaining the grounds would not work. Just be sure to use thick enough wire to support the current of all = four gauges so you get a good & safe ground connection. I have not done that with gauges but I have with plenty of other electr(on)ic devices. Mike '68 350 Coupe >That is, would there be a problem running a ground wire to gauge #1, a = wire >from #1's ground terminal to #2's ground terminal, another wire from #2's >ground terminal to #3's ground terminal?? Or do I have to run 4 separate >wires from a ground to reach gauge?
(back) Subject: 67 AM Radio From: "Paul and Sarah" <psb357@altavista.com> Date: 26 Jan 2001 22:09:27 -0800 Greetings, I have a question regarding the the original AM Radio installed in 67 = FB's. We have an AM Radio, correct mounting brackets for 67-68 FB's, = looks exactly like other AM Radios I've seen for 67-68's, except that it = has no pushbuttons. Could you get the radio for 67 without pushbutton = tuning? The option list for this year and all of the restoration photos = I've seen only has the pushbutton style radio. The model number is = #986835 with a part number on the face plate of #7301148. Is this correct = for 67 FB's? Thanks, Paul Beers 67 400 conv Find the best deals on the web at AltaVista Shopping! http://www.shopping.altavista.com
(back) Subject: Re: Gauge wiring From: <hugoba@apcom.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 23:21:10 -0800 (PST) Mark, That will be fine. What you are actually doing is grounding them in = parallel since you are not going from the "output" of one to the "input" of the = other. Hugo > From Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com Fri Jan 26 18:42:16 2001 > From: "Mark Wurtzel" <mwurtzel@flash.net> > To: "First Generation Firebird-L" <Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com> > Subject: Gauge wiring > Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 17:05:01 -0800 > MIME-Version: 1.0 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > X-Priority: 3 (Normal) > X-MSMail-Priority: Normal > X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2314.1300 > Importance: Normal > > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > I'm installing 4 small aftermarket gauges (electrical, not mechanical) = in my > Firebird. I have already built a panel but now have a question about = wiring > them, or more specifically grounding them! > > I remember the concept of parallel and series wiring from physics = classes > but do not remember if this same concept applies to grounding. > > That is, would there be a problem running a ground wire to gauge #1, a = wire > from #1's ground terminal to #2's ground terminal, another wire from = #2's > ground terminal to #3's ground terminal?? Or do I have to run 4 = separate > wires from a ground to reach gauge? > > The first option seems like it would work to me, but I don't recall ever > seeing anything wired like that so I was hoping there might be someone = with > a bit of electrical expertise that could help me out!! > > Thanks, > > Mark > > '68 Convertible > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(back) Subject: Re: Proportioning valve From: <Pzary3233@aol.com> Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 07:59:42 EST Hey you guys so do I!!!!!! I have beeen looking for one for a while and I haven't been abe to find one! Paul Z. 68 350 2 bbl Coupe