Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum
Trans Am Photos => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: Tailgater on July 10, 2013, 06:01:35 PM
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Well I've always wanted to build a 2nd gen Firebird or Trans am, and have been looking for awhile now, and finally found what I think is a good candidate for a build up.
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00578.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00578.jpg.html)
Its a 1980 Firebird, very basic car, no power options, no A/C, and a v6 engine. Overall its not in bad shape for a car its age around here, the windshield has been leaking for awhile and rotted out the front floor pans, the quarters have been replaced at some point in the cars life, but they didn't do a very good job of it and they will have to be fixed or replaced, but the rest of the car looks pretty good.
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00581.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00581.jpg.html)
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00579.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00579.jpg.html)
First order of business... get a proper engine, while the Buick 231 is a decent little engine, I'd like to have something a little bigger, I found a Buick 455, but it didnt feel right to go with anything other then a Pontiac engine, so after some more searching I found this ;D
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00580.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00580.jpg.html)
its a 455 out of a 1974 Grand Prix a proper engine for this Pontiac ;D I also had to order the proper F body engine mounts and will have to drill and tap a couple holes in the block to bolt them up
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00582.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00582.jpg.html)
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What are you planning on doing for the transmission?
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I'd like to build up a 200-4R, but I haven't found one with a BOP bellhousing for a reasonable price yet, if I cant find one I'll probably build a TH 350 for it
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A junk yard in my area (Pick and Pull) just placed a '79 fire bird in their yard. No rust, no dents, 100% complete and had a decent respray paint job. Needless to say, by the time I found out about it, it was reduced to a shell. While pulling a few parts, I overheard one of the yard workers say he had it running before they put it in the yard. I still can't believe a junk yard would do that. Glad to see you rescued one!
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Nice looking car!
One comment - If the block is a 74 Pontiac you should not need to drill/tap it. If you have the right frame mounts & motor mounts it should be a bolt-together situation. If you are drilling and tapping, something is wrong.... unless it is a early block with 2 bolt pattern....
Good luck on the project...
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Pancho is correct. If you are using the motor brackets from the GP, it is not going to align with the mounts on the subframe. The F body brackets have an "F" stamped on them. Late model "F" brackets and clam shell mounts and you should be good to go.
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A junk yard in my area (Pick and Pull) just placed a '79 fire bird in their yard. No rust, no dents, 100% complete and had a decent respray paint job. Needless to say, by the time I found out about it, it was reduced to a shell. While pulling a few parts, I overheard one of the yard workers say he had it running before they put it in the yard. I still can't believe a junk yard would do that. Glad to see you rescued one!
I always cringe when I see something like that in a yard, hopefully its parts are at least being put to good use on another bird.
Nice looking car!
One comment - If the block is a 74 Pontiac you should not need to drill/tap it. If you have the right frame mounts & motor mounts it should be a bolt-together situation. If you are drilling and tapping, something is wrong.... unless it is a early block with 2 bolt pattern....
Good luck on the project...
Pancho is correct. If you are using the motor brackets from the GP, it is not going to align with the mounts on the subframe. The F body brackets have an "F" stamped on them. Late model "F" brackets and clam shell mounts and you should be good to go
The motor currently has the full size mounts on it, and I have a set of the correct F Body ones for it, I thought the F body ones used different holes on the block? and that not all blocks had all 5 pads drilled and tapped? I may be getting mixed up now that I think about it, the correct mounts are here at my house and the motor is at my parents house with the car which is about 3 hours away. I'm heading up there for the weekend and will check it out and make sure everything bolts up I'm also hoping to get a good start on stripping the car down so I can figure out what all needs to be fixed or replaced.
I'm excited to get started! 8)
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You should fuel inject it and turbo it... ;)
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You should fuel inject it and turbo it... ;)
I like the way you think! ;D
Well I got a few things done to the car, the interior is mostly out now
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00590.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00590.jpg.html)
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00593.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00593.jpg.html)
I also started taking apart the front end,
the Buick 3.8
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00596.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00596.jpg.html)
front clip and bumper removed
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00608.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00608.jpg.html)
passenger side fender off
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00609.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00609.jpg.html)
New Parts!
Dual Exhaust
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00613.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00613.jpg.html)
Weatherstripping
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00611.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00611.jpg.html)
Subframe connectors, solid subframe bushings, and motor mounts(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00612.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00612.jpg.html)
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and drivers side fender off
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00614.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00614.jpg.html)
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Very Good Start and Components! Keep the pics coming!
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Nice project and great work so far! Makes me miss my 1980 Esprit even more. Keep the updates coming!
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Well I got a few more things done the the car, progress is slow, but it is coming
Core support removed
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00619.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00619.jpg.html)
engine out
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00623.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00623.jpg.html)
and transmission out
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00626.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00626.jpg.html)
Aslo found out part of the frame is rotted pretty bad
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00620.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00620.jpg.html)
so I'm going to have to either find a replacement subframe, or a good peice I can weld in.
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Nice project! That exhaust system you have there looks like the one I bought a few years ago from Summit for my project. I have the 3 inch system. I am very happy with the way that system sounds on my 76. And I say patch that sub-frame if the rest of it is in good shape. I would take it apart completely and get it off the car to give it a good look over and to clean it up.
Anyways, nice work so far! I have several hundred pictures of my build if you need any help along the way, just give me a shout!
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Nice project! That exhaust system you have there looks like the one I bought a few years ago from Summit for my project. I have the 3 inch system. I am very happy with the way that system sounds on my 76. And I say patch that subframe if the rest of it is in good shape. I would take it apart completely and get it off the car to give it a good look over and to clean it up.
Anyways, nice work so far!
Thanks!
I bought the 2.5 inch kit from Summit, I think it should sound pretty good, The rest of the subframe looks really solid, but I wont know for sure until it comes off the car.
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ok, I know I havent updated this in a while, but I am still slowly making progress,
gave the subframe and firewall a good pressure washing to remove 30+ years of grease and grime
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00630.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00630.jpg.html)
subframe removed, only one bolt came out, gas axe removed the other 3 8)
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00631.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00631.jpg.html)
removing the dash
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00634.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00634.jpg.html)
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00635.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00635.jpg.html)
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00636.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00636.jpg.html)
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00638.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00638.jpg.html)
forgot to take a pic with the wiring and duct work removed, but the inside of the car is bare now except for the shifter assembly, almost ready to start on the floorpans. I ordered two full length pans for the car from a local speedshop and will fabricate the toeboards myself.
heater box, steering column, brake booster and wiper assembly removed, firewall is pretty much bare at this point
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00642.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00642.jpg.html)
subframe on jack stands ready for disassembly
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/DSC00645.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/DSC00645.jpg.html)
next up is to get the windshield out and start on the floorboards, after i get the floor done the body is going on to a rotisserie, I want this car to look better then new when its done, inside and out.
I'm in way over my head on this project, but thats half the fun! ;D
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Cool project, I've just parted out a 1980 Firebird V6/auto, no A/C, Fiero Bronze and Camel Tan interior.
Your subframe seem to have been repaired previously, there shouldn't be a big weld line above the steering box bolts. I wouldn't use it. If you can find a clean one locally, go for it. If I could get one here in Europe, you should be able too :D
The thing that bothers me the most is the sunroof though.
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Looking Good. Keep going!
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I havent had a lot of time to work on the car, but the past weekend I was able to get a bit more done, the toeboards are completely rotted on the car, so I made up a new one for the passenger side, It was a ton of work for someone whos not great at fabrication, I figure I had about 20 hours into it by the time it was welded in place.
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140705_121015.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140705_121015.jpg.html)
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140706_140409.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140706_140409.jpg.html)
then I started fitting the new floorpan which is going way easier since I dont have to make it!
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140706_192655.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140706_192655.jpg.html)
So it was a big weekend for me, for the first time since we got the car stuff is going back in instead of being cut out ;D
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Well the passenger side floor is finished now, next thing was to tackle the rotted out subframe mount
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140716_202200.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140716_202200.jpg.html)
Had to weld in a lot of new metal but it looks much better now and should be atleast as strong as it was originally
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140718_121514.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140718_121514.jpg.html)
here it is back in place
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140718_175247.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140718_175247.jpg.html)
next step, the drivers side
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140718_210958.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140718_210958.jpg.html)
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Nice job on the welding! That's something I wanted to learn when I had my Firebird, but never got the chance. Can't wait to see more progress.
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Thanks! I wish I could take credit for the welding, but my father has been doing most of it. I fit the pieces and tack it together and get him to weld it. He welds for a living so I know when he does it, its done right. I'm not that confident in my abilities yet.
Here he is working on the floor pan
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140716_155049.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140716_155049.jpg.html)
and here is what i got done today,
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20140720_172510.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20140720_172510.jpg.html)
That is one big hole :-\
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I haven't updated this thread in a while but progress is slowly being made,
I made a new toeboard for the drivers side and got it welded in,
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20141229_162553.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20141229_162553.jpg.html)
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20141229_162638.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20141229_162638.jpg.html)
and have the drivers side floor replaced
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/20150102_114729.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/20150102_114729.jpg.html)
I also found a sub frame from a 79 Camaro that's in much better shape then mine as well as a T-bar roof.
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the new subframe back from the sandblaster
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/subframe.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/subframe.jpg.html)
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Nice work Tailgator... Any new updates?
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Thanks, Progress is slow, but ongoing, nothing really picture worthy, slowly trying to get the front suspension done so I can get the car back on 4 wheels to make it easier to move around the shop.
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Back on 4 wheels!
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/IMG_20160430_1703356451.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/IMG_20160430_1703356451.jpg.html)
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(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x192/tailgater_2007/IMG_20160728_144054122.jpg) (http://s183.photobucket.com/user/tailgater_2007/media/IMG_20160728_144054122.jpg.html)
got a little more done, rear axle and gas tank are out and I've started cleaning up the underside of the car. I'll be heading out to the parts store today to price out a new trunk pan, rear cross rail and tail pan.
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Reminds me a lot like my car...had similar issues in the same spots...only your working on yours...lol
Keep up the great work!!