'73 Firebird - Knocking off the ugly

[raggedjim]

For the voltmeter I ran an orange wire for the 12v and a black for ground. Not rocket surgery...

[raggedjim]

Next on to the cluster connector. The 70-71 cars have 12 pin connectors and the 72 up have 16 pin connectors. One of the best resources I found for Firebird wiring was American Autowire's website. They have tons of information for almost every car or truck.

In particular I downloaded their gauge kit installation instructions doc#510079. this has great info for all of the second gen Firebirds.

Using the information in the instructions I repinned the connector to look like this

Pin 1 - Gray - Dash lights
Pin 2 - Black - Seat belt light ground
Pin 3 - Yellow - Seat belt light (not shown in pic)
Pin 4 - Tan - Brake warning light
Pin 5 - Pink - 12 volt keyed
Pin 6 - Dark Blue - Right turn signal
Pin 7 - Green - Hi Beam indicator
Pin 8 - Dark Blue - Oil pressure gauge

[raggedjim]

Pin 9 - Black - Cluster ground
Pin 10 - blank
Pin 11 - blank
Pin 12 - blank
Pin 13 - Dark Green - Coolant sensor
Pin 14 - Light Blue - Left turn signal
Pin 15 - Orange w/black - clock
Pin 16 - blank

[raggedjim]

The temperature gauge and the oil pressure gauge required new sensors as the car I had was using aftermarket gauges. I'll post the part numbers for those later, boxes are in the garage.

[raggedjim]

So I finally got the cluster and dash bezel back in. Randy Combs did a great job restoring an original 1973 dash bezel.

[raggedjim]

One thing I forgot to do was cut the green wire going back to the ignition switch from the cluster plug. This keeps the temp gauge from pegging out when you start the car. So I climbed back under the dash and cut that green wire.

It was originally on the idiot light cars to light up the temp light when the car was started to let you know the bulb was good. I don't need that now.

[HO455]

Great timing for your thread as I am starting to bring a 72 back from the dead myself. Looking forward to more of your information packed posts!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by HO455

Great timing for your thread as I am starting to bring a 72 back from the dead myself. Looking forward to more of your information packed posts!

Nice. Keep in mind the 72 has a different cluster plug. If you have any questions on anything feel free to ask. I don't know much, but what I do know is how to find information!

Good luck with the 72. I'm assuming it is a 455?

[HO455]

It's a base model Firebird. I bought it with a 350 which had a PB4 and a Holley double pumper on it and possibly a cam as it ran pretty hard. Especially after I replaced the intake with a factory 4 barrel and a Qjet. Later on the engine was pulled and installed in a 68 Lemans I had bought with cracked block.

I've got a newly machined short block and the heads are at the machine shop now. It's kinda a long story but I'm building a 303 and throwing a lot of PTFB parts at the suspension hoping to make a nice little toy.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by HO455

I've got a newly machined short block and the heads are at the machine shop now. It's kinda a long story but I'm building a 303 and throwing a lot of PTFB parts at the suspension hoping to make a nice little toy.

A real Pontiac 303? Kinda rare ain't it? I kinda like the freedom to change things that a base bird gives you.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

A real Pontiac 303? Kinda rare ain't it? I kinda like the freedom to change things that a base bird gives you.

Oh no, not a real 303! Its a 70 350 block bored .030 with a custom crank and KRE's. Kind of like the car the engine isn't something that anyone will give me a hard time about modifying.

[LS short box]

In regards to my 73 it was featured in Car Craft Dec 2000. Sold it 2002. I think it stayed around the MPLS area.
The only Fbody web site I frequent is NastyZ28.com.
Hard to believe it was almost 24 years ago.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by LS short box

In regards to my 73 it was featured in Car Craft Dec 2000. Sold it 2002. I think it stayed around the MPLS area.
The only Fbody web site I frequent is NastyZ28.com.
Hard to believe it was almost 24 years ago.

I may have seen it after it was sold. It's a great looking car.