First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List Re: SF First Gen Get Together & a color question by "Dale J. Barkla" <systech@tig.com.au> Re: Head case! by "Bob Cisneros" <Bob.Cisneros@ebay.sun.com> Rally Guage hook-up by "Chris Porter" <fxstsb@pop.sttl.uswest.net> Do Pontiac 350 heads fit Pontiac 400 blocks? by "michael Andreason" <mandreas@mediaone.net> Re: SF First Gen Get Together & a color question by "Bob Cisneros" <Bob.Cisneros@ebay.sun.com> Source for Proportioning Valves - LQQK inside by "ROY D LUMSDEN" <rlumsden@tampabay.rr.com> Cruise Lever by "Eddie Pettit" <eddie@thepettitfamily.org> Re: Differences between 400's by "Joe Brown" <jb.pb@gte.net> Re: Thanks to the Bay Area Firebird Guys .... by <hugoba@apcom.com> Re: Classic Insurance by "Brian Sargent" <bjsbird1@yahoo.com> Re: Thanks to all. It was a very good Night... by "Glenn Uettwiller" <birdman@gdi.net> Re: Head case! by <JGeigel@aol.com> Re: Interesting item on eBay web site item#552850220: 1967 68 69 Firebird by <JGeigel@aol.com> SF First Gen Get Together by "Andy" <fbird68@ix.netcom.com> Re: Thanks to all. It was a very good Night... but it's not over by "John Wern" <jwern@gw.total-web.net> RE: Bushing Replacement Question by "x1r1 x" <x1r1@hotmail.com> Re: Floor Jack recos? by "x1r1 x" <x1r1@hotmail.com> Re: Thanks to all. It was a very good Night... but it's not over by "x1r1 x" <x1r1@hotmail.com>
(back) Subject: Re: SF First Gen Get Together & a color question From: "Dale J. Barkla" <systech@tig.com.au> Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 10:19:56 +1100 Wooh Yeah! Hugo, thanks for the pics. Now I've got a great Windows wallpaper line up of 7 fantastic birds 8-) .....looks like you guys had a great day....One question, the "emerald" colored convertible, is that "Meridian Turquoise"?......cheers, Dale '68 Conv.
(back) Subject: Re: Head case! From: "Bob Cisneros" <Bob.Cisneros@ebay.sun.com> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 15:17:43 -0800 (PST) Brett writes: >Just trying to get some advice... I'm picking up a 67, well the heads = have >bent valves. To be able to make it a driver until I can find a >400/421/428/455 to replace it with, I'd like to find some complete heads = to >put on it for now. The 326 heads have a uniquely small combustion chamber, 60cc (casting #140)for the 2 bbl engine, and 50cc (casting #141) for the 4bbl (HO). If you replace your current heads with those from any of the later engine family, you will end up with horribly low compression. <http://www.pontiacs.org/pcrchart.html> You need to find another set of 326 heads (#140-1967, #91-1966). Or, you chould try a set of 1968 250 4bbl heads (#18) which I believe are 55cc. Then there is the 1969 350 HO head (#48) which is supposed to be 61cc. >I'm in the Seattle area and either would like to find a set to slap on or = if >anyone on the list knows of a good machine shop in this area to have the >existing one reworked? What my main question to you guy's is: What heads >will work well with the 67 326, new mild rebuild, mild cam, 4bbl intake = 600 >edelbrock, hotter ignition? Should I look for #16's #48's etc. with = larger >valves, will the compression work ok with 350/400 heads; Or should I = stick >with the smaller chamber 326 heads? Well, the least expensive way to go is to take your 140 heads (assuming this is a 2 bbl car) to a head shop and trade them in on a rebuilt pair with the same casting numbers. This will keep the compression down to a healthy 9.5 to 1, and shouldn't cost you too much. In my area, you can get rebuilt heads w/exchange for $120 a pair or even less. Nothing special, but they are fresh. They should last a few years, long enough for you to get the money together for the bigger engine. I can't recommend anyone in your area, but you should be able to find a low budget place that will offer some sort of guarantee. >I know if I increase the chamber the compression will drop... but what = would >be a good trade off? A 72cc head like a #16, 670, or the like, would put you at about 8.43 to one compression. Great if you want to run regular gas, but you'll lose horsepower. Look at it this way. You'll spend somewhere around $150 for used 72cc heads, then have to spend $100 to $250 to get them rebuilt (and that's a cheap rebuild). So now your $250 to $400 into heads that will lower your compression. If you're thinking that you'll reuse them on perhaps a 400 motor, you'll get about 10 to 1 compression with a stock type piston. That's pretty high for pump gas. Don't even think about these heads on a 455. Maybe you'll find enough info here to be able to make a good choice. -BoB San Jose, CA 1968 Convertible bob.cisneros@Sun.COM
(back) Subject: Rally Guage hook-up From: "Chris Porter" <fxstsb@pop.sttl.uswest.net> Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2001 16:51:50 -0800 Getting ready to install my rally guages. I looked at eh FAQ's, it listed a `67. Are all the wires the same color for `68 ? Thanks. Chris `68 350 H.O. Drop-top
(back) Subject: Do Pontiac 350 heads fit Pontiac 400 blocks? From: "michael Andreason" <mandreas@mediaone.net> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 19:49:10 -0500 I recently purchased a 67 firebird which has been worked on by several previous owners. The block code is YW which as far as I can tell is a 68 = or 69 400 block. The heads however have a code of 7H1 on them which according to my Year One catalog are 350 heads. Does anyone have any insight as to whether or not this could be true and if so what approximate compression will I get from this. The engine runs strong and seems much more powerful than my Nova which has a 350 with approximate 275hp.
(back) Subject: Re: SF First Gen Get Together & a color question From: "Bob Cisneros" <Bob.Cisneros@ebay.sun.com> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 17:05:40 -0800 (PST) Dale Barkla writes: >One question, the "emerald" colored convertible, is that >"Meridian Turquoise"?...... That would be my car. The color is called Shamrock Green, and is a custom color from PPG. I took a chance on it having only seen a color chip at the paint shop. I was fretting for quite a while about that choice. But I figured that Glenn Uettwiller needed to see more green cars, knowing his fetish for that color. -BoB San Jose, CA 1968 Convertible (the green one) bob.cisneros@Sun.COM
(back) Subject: Source for Proportioning Valves - LQQK inside From: "ROY D LUMSDEN" <rlumsden@tampabay.rr.com> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 20:47:47 -0500 I was reading my latest Super Chevy (I know) Magazine and ran across an interesting ad. It for a company called True Connections. They specialize = in re-pop parts for Chevelles, Monte Carlos and, El Caminos. What I found interesting is a picture of a proportioning valve included in their ad. = The valve looks just like the cylindrical proportioning valve that came on 69 disc brake Firebirds. The asking price on the part... only $69.95 with exchange. This looks like the same valve that I've never seen priced below $100. Typical asking = price from most suppliers is over $120. If someone has an old one handy and can get a casting number off of it, the company may be able to verify it as = the same valve. Their phone number is: 909-688-6040 and their part number is BR-6782. They also have a web site: http://www.true-connections.com/online_parts_catalog.htm And, if any of you are located near Riverside, California, maybe you can track them down for a visual on the part. Their address is 3848 Pierce Street. Hope this helps someone, Roy
(back) Subject: Cruise Lever From: "Eddie Pettit" <eddie@thepettitfamily.org> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 21:16:56 -0500 Well, I've been lurking on the list for several days waiting for my first 1st Generation Firebird to be delivered and I recall someone asking about the Cruise Lever... I happened to run across one on ebay, with a picture. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3D5548745= 61 I'm in no way affiliated with the auction and if a picture has already = been provided of the lever excuse this message.
(back) Subject: Re: Differences between 400's From: "Joe Brown" <jb.pb@gte.net> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 22:05:33 -0800 I do not believe there is a difference except that the 72 block might have = 5 holes instead of 2 . Joe
(back) Subject: Re: Thanks to the Bay Area Firebird Guys .... From: <hugoba@apcom.com> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 19:55:44 -0800 (PST) Boy, we couldn't have asked for better weather since today it's cloudy, = windy and COLD! Due to a request, I have added the names of the culprits to the caption = under the picture at http://www.bafb.org. > From Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com Tue Feb 6 13:10:19 2001 > Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2001 15:44:37 -0800 > From: "AL ROJAS" <amr@appsig.com> > MIME-Version: 1.0 > To: First Generation Firebird-L <Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com> > Subject: Re: Thanks to the Bay Area Firebird Guys .... > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > I have to say - it was quite the afternoon (Geoff - it was actually 74 = degrees - > but who's keeping track). Special thanks to Hugo who hosted us at his = business. > Hugo is in the UNIX consulting business. His place of business is a 6 = stall > garage, one with a floor hoist (those SUN workstation must get pretty = big > heavy). There's enough storage to start his own Pontiac dealership = (I've seen > Pontiac dealerships with smaller work areas). Dave had the excitement = of driving > Hugos '67 coupe and having the secondaries get stuck open. Rowan showed = us his > "anti-theft" system (i.e. a flat blade cold chisel shorting the starter = solenoid > to turn the engine). > > As 7 great cars lined up at the hamburger stand, I noticed a Camero, a = Mustang > and few other cars passing by wishing they could be part of something = like this. > I had my youngest son with me, he loved every minute (I have a feeling = I'll be > restoring another bird again in a few years) What a great hobby to = share with a > son! > > Brady had two babies there - his beautiful 7 month old daughter and a = convertible > with an incredible red paint job. Bob's emerald green convertible was = another > conversation piece. It was really cool looking at the varoius stages of = the > projects, some near done, some just begining. Nobody critizing or = judging, just > learning and enjoying. I must have picked up a dozen tips on how to = make my next > round of improvements. > > Geoff Martin was praised for not only developing the list, but = recognized as > being the catalyst for the event. Geoff, when Hugo launches the Bay = Area > Firebird web site, we'll have to fly you out to cut the ribbon. > > Thanks for the great turn out guys. I think the other clubs know we're = in town! > > Later > Al > >
(back) Subject: Re: Classic Insurance From: "Brian Sargent" <bjsbird1@yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 21:01:13 -0800 (PST) My Haggerty Insurance policy for my 69 conv. is $141 / year for $15,000 agreed upon value. Never put in a claim but it's offered through CNA via my Independant agent. Brian 69 Conv. --- Porlier68@aol.com wrote: > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > .......................................................................... > Haggerty Classic Insurance for my 68 bird. $99 per > year for $5000 worth of > coverage. I don't have their number here with me, > but you can try looking > them up. > > Greg > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices. http://auctions.yahoo.com/
(back) Subject: Re: Thanks to all. It was a very good Night... From: "Glenn Uettwiller" <birdman@gdi.net> Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 01:14:00 -0500 John, Congrats! I think you may be the only guy on the list who's Firebird has been down longer than mine. I disassembled my 69 Sprint convertible in January of 1978, after using it for a little over a year. My Dad had bought it in April of 1975, I bought it from him a year later. Between us, we ran it from 54,000 miles to 99,900. However, I don't see mine coming together within a year, so I may have a shot at beating your record for longest non-running car from among the list (not that I want the honor!). As a reminder and motivator from something our pastor used a couple months ago (and either my conscience or my girlfriend reminds me almost every day now!): "A Vision without a Plan is just a Hallucination" Glenn aka birdman John Wern wrote: > > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > = ......................................................................... > You guys, Last night was a very historical night. I tuned the key on = a > sleeping beast. It's been sleeping for 25 years. Since 1976. One year = six > months in my garage. I finished hooking everything up about 9pm At = first I > couldnt get any response from the 400. I had not a clue as to why. It = took > me a minute then I thought about the neutral safety switch. Could that = be > the reason? I reached down under the console and pulled out the = unattached > harness. I completed the circuit of the two purple wires and then = turned > the key. Look out. She turned over & She started up. After buring all = of > the paint off of the headers and the smoke dissapating just a bit. I = could > see that she was running very good. No leaks. No fires. Nothing but a > loud ass motor (and I mena loud ass motor - headers only) waking up = after > that extensive rebuild. Not to mention my neighbors BUT MY POINT IS = -- > I could not have even thought about restoring this car without you guys. > Thanks So much fellas. I mean that from my heart. John.
(back) Subject: Re: Head case! From: <JGeigel@aol.com> Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 00:51:18 EST Brett, Take the advice of others on the list. They are the mechanical gurus. However, I do have a set of 1968 #16 castings available for $100 if you = want them. The valves are bad. The heads were acid dipped about 10 years ago, = so they are very clean. Let me know if you want them otherwise they will be = at Puyallup this weekend. Joe Geigel
(back) Subject: Re: Interesting item on eBay web site item#552850220: 1967 68 69 Firebird 400... From: <JGeigel@aol.com> Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 00:53:28 EST Me thinks the tach hole is not correct (if this is the red hood) you are referring to. Joe Geigel
(back) Subject: SF First Gen Get Together From: "Andy" <fbird68@ix.netcom.com> Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2001 22:28:36 -0800 Sunday really was great. I especially enjoyed cruising down Highway 101, = with three first-gens in front of me, and three more in the rear-view = mirror. Nice job on the new site, Hugo. And, you know, my office is within walking = distance of yours. I'm going to have to put that hoist of yours to good = use ;-) Andy > Subject: Re: SF First Gen Get Together > From: <hugoba@apcom.com> > Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001 20:30:41 -0800 (PST) > > Hehehe. > Just thought I'd give you a surprise ;-) > > Actually, it prompted me to get off my a$$ and fix the problem. > Turns out that the butterflies on the secondaries (it has a Holley = 750)(yeah, > yeah, I know, POS, but it hauls) were jaming on the phenollic spacer = underneath > so I gave it a bit of a porting job and I drove the thing home today and = floored > it several times and, viola, the problem is gone! > > BTW, I put up some pictures at: > http://www.bafb.org > > This web site is brand new so it's a work in progress. > > It was great meeting Geoff and Dave, both visiting from out of town as = well as > Mike and Rowan, whom I hadn't met before. > > If any of you out there ever come out to the Bay Area, let us know since = we need > any excuse to do a get together. > > Hugo
(back) Subject: Re: Thanks to all. It was a very good Night... but it's not over From: "John Wern" <jwern@gw.total-web.net> Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 02:34:05 -0500 Yes Sir i second that. - I put the entire front end on tonight - as well = as the hood. It all fit together like green on grass. Man those lines are sexy. I think the '68 coupe 400 fbird is the best looking car ever made. (and that's powerful i love old classic muscle cars - all of them and I = mean all of them) BUT HOLD ON THOUGH there is a small set back. My trans isnt working like = it should. Last night while it was on blocks i watched the wheels turn then they stopped. noticed trans fluid on the ground. The coolant lines were loose. I tightened them. Then I just turned the engine off cause - well I got neighbors - and Today I started the car and they wouldnt turn at all. = I checked the fluid. There was none. I put 3 quarts in and now it still doesnt move the wheels. I dont know what to do now. I think I'll sleep on it. John. -----Original Message----- From: Glenn Uettwiller <birdman@gdi.net> To: First Generation Firebird-L <Firebird-L@oakmediacreations.com> Date: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 1:14 AM Subject: Re: Thanks to all. It was a very good Night... >First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List >......................................................................... >John, Congrats! I think you may be the only guy on the list who's >Firebird has been down longer than mine. I disassembled my 69 Sprint >convertible in January of 1978, after using it for a little over a year. >My Dad had bought it in April of 1975, I bought it from him a year >later. Between us, we ran it from 54,000 miles to 99,900. However, I >don't see mine coming together within a year, so I may have a shot at >beating your record for longest non-running car from among the list (not >that I want the honor!). > >As a reminder and motivator from something our pastor used a couple >months ago (and either my conscience or my girlfriend reminds me almost >every day now!): > >"A Vision without a Plan is just a Hallucination" > >Glenn aka birdman > > >John Wern wrote: >> >> First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List >> = ......................................................................... >> You guys, Last night was a very historical night. I tuned the key = on a >> sleeping beast. It's been sleeping for 25 years. Since 1976. One year six >> months in my garage. I finished hooking everything up about 9pm At = first I >> couldnt get any response from the 400. I had not a clue as to why. It took >> me a minute then I thought about the neutral safety switch. Could that be >> the reason? I reached down under the console and pulled out the unattached >> harness. I completed the circuit of the two purple wires and then = turned >> the key. Look out. She turned over & She started up. After buring = all of >> the paint off of the headers and the smoke dissapating just a bit. I could >> see that she was running very good. No leaks. No fires. Nothing but = a >> loud ass motor (and I mena loud ass motor - headers only) waking up = after >> that extensive rebuild. Not to mention my neighbors BUT MY POINT S -- >> I could not have even thought about restoring this car without you = guys. >> Thanks So much fellas. I mean that from my heart. John.
(back) Subject: RE: Bushing Replacement Question From: "x1r1 x" <x1r1@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 02:26:23 -0800 Tim, I already smell the rubber burning! >From: "Slobird" <marcts@ga.prestige.net> >Yes, take it to the machine shop. > >my 455 is almost ready to pop in and blow the tires off. check it out at >the link >http://members.prestige.net/marcts/currentstatus.jpg > > >tim > > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
(back) Subject: Re: Floor Jack recos? From: "x1r1 x" <x1r1@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 02:39:43 -0800 I got a pretty nice Harbour freight 3 ton for $65. If you plan to use it = a lot, there are 2 stage ones which lift to the car in one pump, then switch = to regular mode under load. My old Kragen 2 1/4 has dropped a few cars, and is only fit to raise lowriders to get a real jack under them, or maybe angle the back of the tranny. Rowan >I am looking to buy a floor jack and I was wondering which brand you guys >recomend? I saw one on sale at Sears, I think it was a 3 ton, for $99.00 >Would any of you use only a 2 1/2 ton floor jack? >Joe Rotman >68 Firebird 350 >Vedoro Green Of Course > > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
(back) Subject: Re: Thanks to all. It was a very good Night... but it's not over From: "x1r1 x" <x1r1@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 03:00:38 -0800 A Pontiac Phoenix in the best sense of the word! 99.9% Victory, 0.1% air buble Idle engine, add fluid while manualy shifting through all ranges several times. You will hear some noise like a F@rd powersteering. Well, I guess you won't hear anything that subtle :), but give it a try, = I seem to remember 5 or 10 minutes of bleeding and topping off. Hope it is that easy. Certainly you no longer need a radio in the garage. SWEET! Rowan*68 P>S> ALWAYS be certain the car is VERY SECURE when running with wheels off = the ground. The textbook says NEVER. We've all seen Ferris Buelers day = off right? >From: "John Wern" <jwern@gw.total-web.net> > >Yes Sir i second that. - I put the entire front end on tonight - as well = >as >the hood. It all fit together like green on grass. Man those lines are >sexy. I think the '68 coupe 400 fbird is the best looking car ever made. >(and that's powerful i love old classic muscle cars - all of them and I >mean >all of them) > >BUT HOLD ON THOUGH there is a small set back. My trans isnt working like = it >should. Last night while it was on blocks i watched the wheels turn then >they stopped. noticed trans fluid on the ground. The coolant lines were >loose. I tightened them. Then I just turned the engine off cause - well = I >got neighbors - and Today I started the car and they wouldnt turn at all. = >I >checked the fluid. There was none. I put 3 quarts in and now it still >doesnt move the wheels. I dont know what to do now. I think I'll sleep = on >it. John. > >-----Original Message----- >From: Glenn Uettwiller <birdman@gdi.net> > >John, Congrats! I think you may be the only guy on the list who's > >Firebird has been down longer than mine. I disassembled my 69 Sprint > >convertible in January of 1978, after using it for a little over a = year. > >My Dad had bought it in April of 1975, I bought it from him a year > >later. Between us, we ran it from 54,000 miles to 99,900. However, I > >don't see mine coming together within a year, so I may have a shot at > >beating your record for longest non-running car from among the list = (not > >that I want the honor!). > > > >As a reminder and motivator from something our pastor used a couple > >months ago (and either my conscience or my girlfriend reminds me almost > >every day now!): > > > >"A Vision without a Plan is just a Hallucination" > > > >Glenn aka birdman > > > > > >John Wern wrote: > >> > >> First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > >> >......................................................................... > >> You guys, Last night was a very historical night. I tuned the key = >on >a > >> sleeping beast. It's been sleeping for 25 years. Since 1976. One = year >six > >> months in my garage. I finished hooking everything up about 9pm At >first >I > >> couldnt get any response from the 400. I had not a clue as to why. = It >took > >> me a minute then I thought about the neutral safety switch. Could = that >be > >> the reason? I reached down under the console and pulled out the >unattached > >> harness. I completed the circuit of the two purple wires and then >turned > >> the key. Look out. She turned over & She started up. After buring >all >of > >> the paint off of the headers and the smoke dissapating just a bit. I >could > >> see that she was running very good. No leaks. No fires. Nothing = but >a > >> loud ass motor (and I mena loud ass motor - headers only) waking up >after > >> that extensive rebuild. Not to mention my neighbors BUT MY POINT >S -- > >> I could not have even thought about restoring this car without you >guys. > >> Thanks So much fellas. I mean that from my heart. John. > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com