1971 Firebird Build ("The Other Woman", a.k.a. Project "T.O.W.")

[GregWeld]

You can review all of that and go over the pics and stuff while noshing on some ribs at The Salt Lick. It'll help you through all of these engineering exercises.







HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA




Looks good Bryan!!!

[Flash68]

Looks good Bryan... you guys keep tackling those little gremlins as they come at ya like spider monkeys.

[tazzz2_ca]

Nicely done Bryan,,,,, the car is going to be a huge source of enjoyment once you get past those pesky little "sorting out" issues... I'll look forward to seeing you at some events next year..

[carbuff]

Thanx guys! As you both know, these projects always give you little 'tests' when you think you're finally done with them. We will knock them out, and I can't wait to get her out on the road!

[Sieg]

You're gaining on it Bryan! She's looking good.

[carbuff]

TOW got to come home yesterday! I worked with Eric for a little while on Saturday trying to get the hood aligned as best we cool. What should be simple ends up being an exercise in frustration trying to understand how moving the hood hinge causes unexpected results in the hood alignment. We had to shift the front sheetmetal a bit as well to get the final alignment right on.

Over the last few weeks, Eric has fixed the hood, replaced the brackets on the rear axle housing for the torque arm, replaced the side tubes on the TA itself, fixed a few rattles we had under the car, stopped the AC freon leak and recharged the system, replaced the seats, and touched up a bunch of rock chips that were in the car. You know, basic punch list stuff. So far, everything seems good except for some gear whine in the 3rd member. I'm going to give it a little more time, and then call up Strange to discuss it with them. Definitely annoying!

For my part, I installed the new Vaporwerx fuel pump controller which seems to be working well. I haven't had a chance to connect up the laptop and run some WOT runs, but I will do that this week. Hopefully no more falling fuel pressure at high RPM.

This morning I drove her to work for the first time. What a great feeling to be out and about driving this project after almost 4 years of planning, collecting parts, and actual work on the car! While I still have a couple of small things left to do, I can do them anytime. I'm sure I'll head back to Eric's for round two of punch-list items, but I expect smooth sailing for a while now!!!

Thanx to everyone along the way who has offered advice, answered questions, and even poked and prodded once in a while (that W guy who shall remain nameless). Now that she's on the road, I'm sure there will be a new round of questions as I work to dial it all in. Tuning, engine, suspension, and brakes, are next on the list.

[GregWeld]

Strange will just laugh at you on the gear whine.... They sell race pieces... and it's just part of the deal. At least that's what they told me on the Nomad - which has their aluminum 9"....

[lil427z]

Looking good Bryan .
Rick k

[jr2226]

I have been following this build. Really classy looking bird not over done. Great job!

[carbuff]

TOW is loaded up and ready for her first road trip this afternoon! I'm driving up to Fort Worth today for the Good Guys show this weekend. Since I have about 400 miles on her to date, I'll easily double that this weekend, so she will get a good shakedown!

Not a lot else has been happening other than driving lately. Eric did a few little cleanup tasks (leaking AC fitting, remade one of the fuel lines) recently, but that's it. I've been tuning the ECU, and I'm realizing that I had it set up a good bit rich in the normal driving ranges. I'm slowly leaning it out, and so far that's working pretty well. I'll get to collect a lot of data this week and see how she responds.

Hopefully I will see a few of you at the track this weekend! I'll try to remember to take a few pictures myself as well...