1978 Pontiac Fire Bird – Winter Projects Part 1

 

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This page contains a conical of the projects in the winter of 2008 – 2009 for the racing season of 2009. The current list of projects is:

Put the car on a diet (remove as much metal as possible)     inner fender wells     bracing under the hood and trunk lids     remove reinforcement in back of bumper covers 

Relocate the batteryPull engine and replace rear main seal

Fuel cell in the trunk (remove old gas tank) 

 Pull all the wiring and install race harness 

Engine Work: Possible cam swap Electric water pump|| Remove alternator 

Pull transmission and replace front seal Install trans brake

Remove stock dash and install metal one with gauges

 Install racing seat 

Possible gear swap in rear end 

 Correct roll bar configuration
 PB010056_small  Project for week ending 2008 11 01
This weekends project (it might be easiest to pull the whole front clip)

        Get the car up on blocks (I may have this done)
        remove hood and hang on garage wall
                      hinges
                      inner fender wells,
                      front bumper,
                      radiator etc until time is gone
 PB080029_small  Project for week ending 2008 11 08
This weekend’s project: Remove the engine and transmission and install the engine on an engine stand.
 PB150037_small  Project for week ending 2008 11 15

This weekends project Remove the dash, gas tank, and rear bumper.We also had a presentation on how to install AN fitting onto braided steel lines
We have a local expert to help us understand the fine points of assembly for AN Fittings This weekends project Remove the dash, gas tank, and rear bumper.We also had a presentation on how to install AN fitting onto braided steel lines
Battery_PB220042_small One of the weekend projects is “Move the Battery Box to the Trunk”
Bumper_PB220033_small
Second of this weekend’s tasks is “Put the rear bumper on a weight reduction diet”
Cam_PB220026_small Third task for this weekend is  “What Cam is in the Engine?”
PB120003_small Another weekend begins with the Installation of the Fuel Cell in the Trunk
Fuel Pump 010_small
 Well, if you are going to have a fuel cell, you might as well have an electric pump
 Sway Bar 006_small The front sway bar was removed.  This was not as easy as it may sound.  One of the original owners must have stripped out the nuts in the frame.  Bolts were used and there was no way to hold the head of the bolt inside the frame while trying to loosen the bolt holding the sway bar bracket to the frame.  I have been told that this is not needed for drag racing as you go in a straight line.  I will hold onto it and put it back if I get undesirable handling.
Head ID 006_small  Engine and Head identification.  I used several internet ID Decoding sites and I think I have these identified, but the decoders came up with conflicting information. Click here to see
 PC060020_small Project for week ending 2008 12 06:  Start the battery wiring project, including the cutoff switch for power Install the fuel cell and fuel pump Finish stripping out the wiring behind the dash Cut out the side roll bar Here is a juicy one: Finish stripping the engine to see if it is a four bolt! Well we went right to the juicy one and took the engine apart, in fact we were not satisfied with one; we took two apart.
 Trunk_015_small Project for Week 2008 12 13: Put in the fuel cell, fuel pump and filter, and battery.  Work on wiring and cutoff switch.  Strip out the remaining wiring in the inside of the car.  Remove the rest of the OEM lines.
 P1100040_small Projects for Week 2009 01 11: Routing of battery cables and fuel line Remove clutch pedal Position driver’s seat 
 P1170031_small Projects for Week 2009 01 18: Drop the right side of the ladder bar and finish routing the fuel line Big thing was to power wash the front frame rails (This did not get done:  10 degrees outside) Remove driver’s side roll bar
 P2060017_small Here is an update on Transmission progress on the Pontiac Firebird
Engine Dyno is done.
 P2140023_small This week 2009 02 14, we brought the engine home, stripped the control arms off the front end, and cleaned them up.  After powder coat, new bushings and ball joints were installed.Click here to see the progress of this very good week
 P2210041_small There were two gatherings of the car nuts this week.  We cleaned the frame and painted it and installed the control arms back on the frame. Click here to see
 P2280069_small Not much needs to be said other than it was a REAL STRUGGLE! Click to see
 P3070043_small Due to the great turnout this weekend  Lenny Ball, George Nick, Ken Long, Frank Serafine, Don Doan, Ron Richardson, and Enzo Addamo, we….Made a Dashboard
 Dash_Board_P3140078_small We had two meetings of the Car Nuts this week.  Lenny Ball, George Nick and Don Goodman were on hand. One thing we attempted was to install the fabricated Aluminum Valve Covers.  Also, the Carburetor was installed, dash with all the racing gear mounted on it was put back in the car.  The Drive Shaft was sent out, balanced and new solid u-jpints installed.  The starter has been installed for good with a heat shield. Click here to see
 Fuel P3280031_small We had a great turnout of the Car Nuts this week.  Only one meeting as I thought going to the dentist on Wednesday would be more fun that crawling around on the garage floor.  I guess that shows how smart I am!We got a number of tasks completed:  Fuel line routed from front to rear, rear axles pulled (splines counted), Dashboard wired and, of course, more Patch Panels.  Click here to see.
 Brakes_P4030010_small Another great turnout of the Car Nuts this week.  We had two meetings this week and the progress shows! We had Jim Boehly, Lenny Ball, George Nick, Ken Long, Vince Falco, and Don Goodman.
We prepped and painted the floor, pulled the rear axle for a second time and installed and bled the brake system.  Click here to see.
 Front_Clip_P4110042_small We got the Front Clip on, put the Front Bumper on a weight reduction regimen, got some wiring don’t and set the radiator in place.Click here to see
 Wiring_P4190003_small We got the rear end sealed up and oil added.  Radiator and electric fan installed.  Exhaust system built and installed.  Throttle cable routed so as to not bend the cable.  Shifter installed
.Click here to see that

Started the engine.  CLICK FOR A SHORT MOVIE ON THAT
Video compliments of Tom Deyle.
 Track_Ready_P5120004_small We had three Car Nuts this week.  Ready for some Test and Tune at the Dragstrip, but projects still remain.
On hand were Don Goodman, Vince Falco and Frank Serafine.
We completed the roll cage, put the hood on, installed the recovery bottle and installed the air cleaner.
Click here to see
 P5180008_small A little set back.  Number 3 cylinder is full of waterClick here to see

ddd

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