Brendon's '67 Firebird thread

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

Travel safe buddy

Thanks, Ron! You'll be glad to know that when I dropped my engine off @ Superior yesterday for their 383 stroker kit, included with it was this shiny new slick aluminum flywheel...

Originally Posted by 19,69camaro

Brendon, first off great work so far. Your build is truly a inspiration for guys like me.
I am a little bit suprised that with all the work you put into the cage you didn't add a door bar that would run from the main hoop and run under your armpit. I'm laying out a cage that is almost exactly like yours and so far it doesn't seem to hinder seat entry/exit.

Thank you. The reason I didn't build the cage closer to me is I intend to also drive the car on the street. As such I don't want to have to wear a helmet and 5 point harness every time I drive. That's why the main hoop is further back than usual. The bar parallel to the rocker panel is tightly tucked under the arm rest- allowing that to provide some cushion between it and me. I know it won't pass NHRA spec...

[Tuske427]

OK, a month later and I'm finally back in the garage for a little bit- only to discover that somehow I botched my fabrication while building my car. I swear I mocked this up, but when I went to fit my hydroboost unit to the firewall it wouldn't fit. It interfered with the hoop support tube in my engine bay. d'oh! So the cut off wheel came out and I spent most of my time notching the tube to make enough clearance. Now I'm concerned that when I install a master cylinder it will interfere with my inner fender. I just know it will...

After notching the tube I painted it again, and a few more parts today, as well as some foam insulation on mt roof.

Also, in my haste- I've installed my kick panels and e-brake (remembering those go in early), but now I'm thinking they need to come back out as I didn't install the door jam switches for the dome light. While it may be possible to install those, it'll be a lot easier to fish the wire where I want it with them out. So out they'll come again :p

[MX145]

Nice job! Your car has come a long way!

[captainofiron]

dont you just hate it when you think you have everything perfect and it just wont fit?

oh well, looks like you got it resolved very nicely, good work as usual

[waynieZ]

Nice job its looking great. Its coming together now...

[syborg tt]

Car is looking great. It's pretty cool that your doing it in your garage.

[Tuske427]

Thanks, guys. The kind words are motivation to keep going

Speaking of which, I was able to get a little assembly done yesterday. Those door jamb switches are non stop hassles. After first buying a set from local parts stores (and traveling to 4 different ones to locate two switches) I brought them home to discover they didn't even fit. So then I ordered a set from Classic Industries, and installed those this weekend, which did fit. Then I found my originals, and they are shorter in length than the ones from CI. Considering they are original to the car, I know they work. I'm now concerned these other ones will be too long, so I'll need to take them out yet again

[Tuske427]

Ok, my gauges came back in from Redline gauge works today. I'm stoked. So I put them back in the IP.

I kept the gauge faces stock, as I like them, and they were in fine shape. Redline updated them mechanically- it now has the digital speedo, updated tach, and volt meter. I also painted the back lit areas orange/ red as I don't care for the old GM green lit color. I much prefer more modern red as seen in newer Trans Ams.

If only I could take decent pics...

[MX145]

Sweet gauges!

[waynieZ]

The pictures look nice and the gauges look great . They do nice work at Red Line. I'm hoping to send mine there.