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#1 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
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Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
At the suggestions of Raggedjim and Tempest67 I will start posting the trials and tribulations of me resurrecting a 72 Firebird. This won't be a fast moving thread due to the other priorities that always seem to happen in my life.
![]() I bought the car back around 2003 or so. I noticed the for sale sign on my way home from work asking $1400. I called and after meeting up with the girl who owned it we made a deal and I drove it home for $1000. It had no front valance (Well actually the original plastic valance was in the trunk in 3 pieces.) The front turn signal lights were off a 70' vintage ford pickup and mounted on some 1 1/2 angle iron. It had a P4B manifold with a 750 Holley double pumper on top of a Pontiac 350. It ran so rich a black cloud followed me all the way home. It had a early Formula hood and only the drivers side door and front fender was still the original Lucerne Blue the rest of the car was gray primer. The girl said they ran out of paint and never got back to painting the last part. Once I replaced the intake and carb with factory pieces the car ran great. It was my daily driver for a couple years and made trips to Tiger Run in Bend OR. Made a few passes at the strip where it ran 14.8's on the non posi rear end. We're pretty sure the engine had a cam and some head work done to it. Then it got parked, and loaned out, and parts from it got loaned, then got disassembled, and now it's 2024. The engine got installed in a 68 Lemans that I bought with a cracked block and then I sold the Lemans. The first photo is of the car from last summer. One of the reasons I'm not part if the "In crowd" in the Pontiac world. I've been collecting parts for it all through covid and have started installing the front suspension upgrades. That started by having the front subframe sandblasted and then grinding out a lot of the factory welds and re-welding them. They were some of the worst I've ever seen from GM. It must have been training day when my subframe went down the line. (Photos 2-5) It took a sold 8 hours for me to get thing how I wanted them. Once that was done I chained the subframe to a welding bench and using a port-a-power I jacked it around until it was square and true again. (Assuming it was when it left the factory ![]()
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#2 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
As part of the subframe resurrecting one of the subframe bushing mounts was quite rusted and to repair it I made a custom washer replace the missing metal. I started out by cutting the bad area out with a hole saw. Then I made the custom washer on my lathe so it matched the hole perfectly. Once done it welded it in place from both sides. Unfortunately I don't have a "completed photo" of this at present.
I also didn't take any pictures of the wooden jig I used to hold the pilot bit of the hole saw in place when I drilled the bushing mount out. Basically it was a piece of cabinet makers plywood clamped to the under side of the mount. Then I used a compass to find the center point of the hole. Then I drilled the center point out and that hole kept the hole saw from walking as I drilled. I also replaced the regular pilot bit in the hole saw with a piece of 1/4" round stock so it couldn't waller out the pilot hole thus allowing the hole saw to wander.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 Last edited by HO455; 07-04-2024 at 08:16 PM. Reason: Forgot part of the story. |
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#3 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
According to the interweb the front sway bar mounting is a weak point. Apparently the threads are fairly easily pulled out when a stiff sway bar is installed. Now was the time to address this possibility. I made a pair of plates and tack welded grade 8 nuts on the one side.
I prepared the frame by grinding it smooth in the area and enlarging the factory holes for the fasteners. That allowed me to set the plates and nuts in place and then weld around them to complete the modification. At this point I would like to acknowledge my friend 2nd gen Firebird guru John Paige for his insight, intelligence and patience with my questions. He passed from our world too early. https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...?highlight=Rip https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...ght=john+paige
__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 Last edited by HO455; 07-04-2024 at 08:39 PM. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ontario
Posts: 822
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Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
looks like a great project and you are off to a good start.
Remember, don't look at the entire project, "just 1 piece at a time" I had a 73 Formula in High School and loved that car
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https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=797726&page=3http://https://67-72chevytrucks.com/...=797726&page=3 51 Chev 5 window on S10 with SBC 1958 Pontiac Wagon build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849781 |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Murray, Kentucky
Posts: 3,483
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Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
Alright! Another second gen Firebird build!
You are obviously doing a better job than I am! I do plan to pull my subframe eventually but I know I won't be driving it for a while when I do. Great work, Rg
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#6 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,510
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Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
Quote:
Those welds from the factory are unbelievable, wasn't there an inspector on site
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim Last edited by jaros44sr; 07-05-2024 at 11:33 AM. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: somewhere . . .
Posts: 961
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Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
hey , its coming along
looks like a fun project along w a cool back story , imo keep the update(s) coming . . .
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dont want to hear excuses, i want to hear solution(s) |
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#8 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
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Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
I converted the front suspension to coil overs from Pro Touring FBody. Installation involves removing part of the factory upper control arm mount as shown in photo #1.
Then it's trimming of the factory mount and the new mount until things sit as expected. You use the factory upper control arm bolt holes to align the new mount.
__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#9 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
More on the coil over modifications. On one side the holes had to be elongated a bit. Apparently there is quite a lot of variation in how the upper control arm mounts got installed over all the 2nd gen F-body years.
Once the mount is fitted I used a torch to enlarge the hole through the frame that the coil over must pass through and then cleaned it up with a grinder.
__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#10 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
A couple photos of the subframe after painting. Of course since the paint got sprayed I realized I should have done a couple more things to it but I will have to make them bolt ons instead of welding them.
I went with the gray color as my experiences around race cars is that lighter colors in the engine bay make it easier to spot leaks and cracks.
__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 Last edited by HO455; 07-29-2024 at 02:05 PM. Reason: Forgot photos. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ontario
Posts: 822
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Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
looks good, is that Rustoleum ?
__________________
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=797726&page=3http://https://67-72chevytrucks.com/...=797726&page=3 51 Chev 5 window on S10 with SBC 1958 Pontiac Wagon build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849781 |
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#12 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
No it's Macco single stage paint. I had a friend who owned a Macco down the road and he would do little things like this for me, as fill in work for his painters. Unfortunately he retired and sold the shop last year.
__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Carlos MN
Posts: 2,051
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
Did this one about 25 plus years ago. Base Firebird I cloned into a TA. First project I mini tubbed. 455/400 turbo combo. Bought it as rust free shell roller. Long enough ago that you could still find TA parts in the salvage yard.
Good luck with your project. |
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#14 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
That's a beautiful car. Well done.
__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ontario
Posts: 822
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
that looks familiar,
when I was in High School, I did this to my 73 Formula. full of Bondo, but I loved it anyways
__________________
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=797726&page=3http://https://67-72chevytrucks.com/...=797726&page=3 51 Chev 5 window on S10 with SBC 1958 Pontiac Wagon build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849781 |
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#16 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
|
Re: Learning curve. My 72 Firebird adventure.
Another beautiful bird. I don't think mine will be as attractive as yours as are. I'm hoping to at least get it one color.
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__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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