Update on my rusty firebird

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by 67rstbkt

I worked on it some more this past weekend and got it much closer. I had to tweak my bumper a little, basically just bent in the outsides a little. I don't think this is the original bumper because there are no holes in it for the pontiac emblem. From what I can tell, the 400 cars had this on the bumper. Also, who knows what happened to this bumper over the years.

Currently, the gaps are much more consistent. The only issue is that the gap is a little closer towards the middle (center of the hood) and gets slightly larger as it gets towards the fenders. I'm still trying to decide if I can live with it. I'll try and take some pictures this weekend.

Cool, thanks for the update. Yeah, the original 400 bumpers had two stamped (5/8" ??) holes on the middle for the emblem. Most people just drill out the non 400 bumpers to attach the emblem. I have an original 400 bumper if you need a template. I can make one for you- just let me know.

[Bucketlist2012]

Great Build..

In the early 70's, I had a Buddy with a 68 400 Firebird 4 speed. Thing was like 4 years old and brand new... Man what a car..

Good Job on building the Firebird..

[67rstbkt]

Originally Posted by Tuske427

Cool, thanks for the update. Yeah, the original 400 bumpers had two stamped (5/8" ??) holes on the middle for the emblem. Most people just drill out the non 400 bumpers to attach the emblem. I have an original 400 bumper if you need a template. I can make one for you- just let me know.

I'm still undecided on this bumper; it's been through a lot and will need some work to get it to look good. Thanks for the template offer, I'll definitely let you know if I need that.

[67rstbkt]

Originally Posted by solarguy09

Great Build..

In the early 70's, I had a Buddy with a 68 400 Firebird 4 speed. Thing was like 4 years old and brand new... Man what a car..

Good Job on building the Firebird..

Thanks; I wish I could have seen that thing. Where I grew up, you hardly saw 60's cars on the streets. They were either locked up in a garage or rusted away.

[AtomicFirebird]

Love the work you've done on the Firebird.

[67rstbkt]

Originally Posted by Tuske427

Cool, thanks for the update. Yeah, the original 400 bumpers had two stamped (5/8" ??) holes on the middle for the emblem. Most people just drill out the non 400 bumpers to attach the emblem. I have an original 400 bumper if you need a template. I can make one for you- just let me know.

Sorry for the delay on these, been busy with a new job. Here are the pics after I messed around with the gaps. It's not perfect, but it is much better than it was. The sides use some sort of urethane filler pieces that cover that gap. Ames has them listed in their catalog. I also picked up some doug's headers since Classic was having a sale. I am very pleased with how well they fit.

Anyway, here are the pics:











and here's one of the cowl panel that I cut apart and welded back together because it was sitting too high:



And the after fitment:

[67rstbkt]

Originally Posted by AtomicFirebird

Love the work you've done on the Firebird.

Thank you

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by 67rstbkt

Sorry for the delay on these, been busy with a new job. Here are the pics after I messed around with the gaps. It's not perfect, but it is much better than it was. The sides use some sort of urethane filler pieces that cover that gap. Ames has them listed in their catalog. I also picked up some doug's headers since Classic was having a sale. I am very pleased with how well they fit.

Anyway, here are the pics:











and here's one of the cowl panel that I cut apart and welded back together because it was sitting too high:



And the after fitment:

Cool, thank you for posting these pics! This looks good. I'll definitely have to go this route. Of course, it looks like it's a lot of work...

[68400BIRD]

I just went through all 11 pages. Nice progress, it seems all to famalier. Looks like the gaps are coming out pretty nice. I noticed that a lot of the problems that you have had are the same as me. LOL JUst makes you wonder how some of this stuff fit when it was new. Keep up the great work.

[strtcar]

Great build keep up the good work, it gives us guys who are just getting started a lot of inspiration to keep moving forward.