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Author Topic: Saving the bird 76-Day one  (Read 24874 times)

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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #15 on: August 25, 2009, 06:55:28 PM »
We had to remove some tree stumps to move the car.
Anyone notice anything really funny about this stump part?

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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #16 on: August 25, 2009, 06:56:06 PM »
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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #17 on: August 25, 2009, 06:58:19 PM »
The car looks so much better after a wash.
20 years since it was plated.
Very solid underneath.
Some rust through on the main floor pan where people brought salt in.
The frame, exhaust,and most structural parts are very good condition.


« Last Edit: August 25, 2009, 07:02:35 PM by SavingTheBird76 »
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Offline jphillips3333

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #18 on: August 25, 2009, 06:58:32 PM »
The image size is fine.  There's no "official" limit - I'm running a 30" monitor so it doesn't matter to me - I'll scroll.  LOL
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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #19 on: August 25, 2009, 07:03:09 PM »
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Offline RainMan

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #20 on: August 25, 2009, 07:12:45 PM »
Cool find ,looks like a great car to resurrect . I got a laugh from the tree stump
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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #21 on: August 25, 2009, 07:40:14 PM »
The previous owner worked for TRW years ago.
Claims the car was rebuilt in 1989 with TRW parts,but claims it was a 455 out of a bonneville.
The head castings are 400,so unless he bored the 400 block,I have a 400.
The oil pan was full of water,but the valve train doesn't look that bad,and the motor is not seized.
I will be taking the whole motor down over the winter,and re assemble it.
The car was parked because of clutch problems.
I have a feeling someone installed a 455 clutch on the 400.
Anyone know how to measure the clutch assembly to find out what is installed?
Any thoughts?




« Last Edit: August 25, 2009, 07:49:32 PM by SavingTheBird76 »
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Offline RENOVATIONS

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #22 on: August 25, 2009, 07:47:07 PM »
I'd check the drivers side of block for the CID stamping to know for sure if you have a 400 or 455...nice find either way.
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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #23 on: August 25, 2009, 08:12:56 PM »
I'll probably need to take some measurements to find out exactly what I have.
The cylinder head castings are easily read,but the rust on the block is making the job a little harder.
It took quite a few hours to get the car out of the yard.
I'm waiting on the ok for the garage for the winter.
I may need to rent a space to work.
As soon as I get the ok,the motor and trans is coming out,and I'll have a better idea what I have.



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Offline jphillips3333

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #24 on: August 25, 2009, 08:35:11 PM »
Yeah, you could have a 455 block with 400 heads - there's no mods required to slap those heads on.  Check the passenger side, forward of the motor mount.  It'll say 400 or 455 ..

Also, the clutch/flywheel/PP is interchangeable between a 400 or 455.
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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #25 on: August 25, 2009, 09:02:15 PM »
I got the OK for the garage.
Before I pull the motor,anyone think I should start it up?
I really don't want to circulate rust through the engine,but it would be nice to hear it run.
I'm leaning to just pulling everything,and cleaning up all the current parts,and taking inventory of what I have.

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Offline rhino33

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #26 on: August 25, 2009, 09:06:12 PM »
My 77 had about 5 litres of water in it and even the oil filter was rusted through , I poured methyl hydrate all over the valve train both sides and left the drain plug out and when it stopped dripping I changed the filter and put in new oil with some methyl hydrate, turned it over with the plugs out a while, pulled the top off the carb and cleaned it out and primed the carb through the vent and it fired right up and I can tell you that after some tweaking it runs awesome.
why not try it if your gonna rebuild?
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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #27 on: August 25, 2009, 09:19:39 PM »
The motor has less than 5000 miles on it.
It was built .030 over,then the clutch problems caused the loss of interest.
I was hoping to just clean up the parts,to prevent wear,and hopefully,spend my money on the body,interior work.
Winter is close,so even if it runs,probably wouldn't have 60 days to enjoy it.
I want to make sure the brakes and suspension are safe for driving.
The car is mostly original,the ball joints,springs,brakes,and suspension have low miles but many years on them.
I also have the original 323 posi which is bad,the owner replaced it once with the engine rebuild.
The 20 year old tires are all failing.



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Offline UnderDog403

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #28 on: August 25, 2009, 09:40:27 PM »
WOW!!! NICE find for the price! Keep us updated!
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Offline SavingTheBird76

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Re: Saving the bird 76-Day one
« Reply #29 on: August 25, 2009, 10:02:53 PM »
Thanks for all the nice comments.
The car looks like a great starting point,the car is all there.
I don't have a huge bankroll to spend,but I do work the night shift,so lots of hours during the day are available for wrenching.
I'm not after a show car,I want to drive a nice original.
I plan on doing as much work as possible myself,although I will buy my welding buddies a few beers for their help. ;D
The nice thing about working on a budget,is you can't rush the job.
I think it would be smarter to completely disassemble the car and motor,and take my time replacing all the worn parts and fasteners.
By spring hopefully the car will be driveable.
I'll have more photos tomorrow,I ran out of memory on my memory card.
The car looks so much better on the pavement,in a garage.
It's a shame it sat outside for 10 years. :'(
Lots of family members of the previous owner had plans that never materialized for the car.
I'm glad I was able to acquire it.
My youngest brother is really excited about the car.
He graduated recently from technical school and never had a chance to work on a classic.
He is amazed at the simplicity of the 1976.
What a shame what cars of today have become. :'(




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