Brendon's '67 Firebird thread - Lateral-g Forums

Tuske427 · #1 08-01-2011, 09:13 PM

This past Friday and Sat I worked on my car. I was able to finish up the passenger side inner fender and get some progress on my engine mounts.

I was able to use my new Eastwood tubing notcher and it worked quite well. Of course, it makes a big mess as I'm using a lot of oil to keep the blade cool.

It took a lot of grinding, test fitting, grinding more, etc. to get them to fit. I first welded them with that "worm bead" and it looked more like gummy worms, so I went over them with spot welding for a cleaner look. I also made some gussets for added strength. Now all I need to do is make the plates that connect to the tube I'll use to trap the engine mount bolts.

What's funny is the pvc tubing I used still fit. I guess I made them accurate, or consistent, to my mock ups...

I also need to make a little more trimming for the engine before it goes back in.

AM.MSCL · #2 08-02-2011, 05:53 AM

Nice Fab work! It looks like you going to have to fab the headers for the car also!

Tuske427 · #3 08-02-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM.MSCL

Nice Fab work! It looks like you going to have to fab the headers for the car also!

Thank you!

Fortunately, the headers, hopefully, won't be too bad. I have a set of the Edelbrock LS1 headers, and the driver side will need two of the tubes rebuilt. the passenger side still fits with clearance to spare. The engine mount tubes were built around the headers in place.

Tuske427 · #4 08-06-2011, 09:50 PM

I had some time today to work on the car (I have to go in to work tomorrow and won't have a chance to work on it, so I'm posting my weekly progress tonight) but I was able to finally bolt the engine in today. After getting the tubing mounts ready I made the engine bolt tubes out of some chrome moly tubing my neighbor Brett (67Zo6camaro) hooked me up with. He also helped to tig weld them in as I don't know if my equipment is set up to weld chrome moly. I filled in the ends and bolted the engine in. Now I'm in the process of building the trans cross member and mount.

I'll be using the original trans mount and modifying it to fit. I'm working on "scalping" the top so it can sit higher (more exhaust clearance) and building some brackets to weld to the inner frame rails so I can bolt this new cross member where it needs to go. I should get this part finished up and installed next weekend.

Firebird-Geek · #5 08-09-2011, 03:20 PM

I have been on this site and Pro-touring for months now reading and watching people build their projects... but this build has to be one of my favorites!!

It is AMAZING to see the thought and effort you are putting in to the tweaks that add improved functionality and uniqueness to the car. They are also ones that don't break the bank like some of the custom garage builds (I know I can't afford a CNC machine

).

As a fellow Firebird owner, you are making one of the coolest firebirds I have seen. I cannot wait to see what you do next... (especially when it comes time to fitting the front bumper better than the factory did with their 3/4 inch gap.) Keep it up... If I could I would buy you a beer just to ask you a TON of questions and advice on my build!!

Tuske427 · #6 08-09-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firebird-Geek

I have been on this site and Pro-touring for months now reading and watching people build their projects... but this build has to be one of my favorites!!

It is AMAZING to see the thought and effort you are putting in to the tweaks that add improved functionality and uniqueness to the car. They are also ones that don't break the bank like some of the custom garage builds (I know I can't afford a CNC machine

).

As a fellow Firebird owner, you are making one of the coolest firebirds I have seen. I cannot wait to see what you do next... (especially when it comes time to fitting the front bumper better than the factory did with their 3/4 inch gap.) Keep it up... If I could I would buy you a beer just to ask you a TON of questions and advice on my build!!

Thank you! You're too kind. I'd be happy to talk Firebirds and advise in any way I can. I can't take all the credit, as I've referenced other car builds and taken advise and help from others myself. It does help having built some cars before, but each time I take a project on, it's more involved than the last. (makes me wonder what I'll do on the next car)

I too wish I had a CNC machine and was versed in Pro E.

Tuske427 · #7 08-14-2011, 09:44 PM

I had some time after work on Friday to finish up my trans crossmember. I was able to weld the brackets on and attach it. Nothing is torqued down, of course, but the bolts line up and the car is holding the engine.

Next weekend we'll be busy, so it'll be another couple of weeks before I can resume again.