Topic: 2nd Gen Firebird Security

[Kevin]

Hi, I have a 1978 Firebird Formula that I have been working on lately, and before I get to having all my interior stuff installed/fixed, I would like to know what steps I can take to ensure that my car is well protected. I want to know if any modern alarm systems will work well on a car that doesn't have power locks etc etc. What steps can I take to protect this car? Thanks guys,
                                                Kevin   

[rad400]

the best thing is a kill switch so it wont start, or get the kit that takes the steering wheel of while it sits

[Kevin]

Can you explain how a kill switch works?

[turbota400]

It is a switch that is attached to the starter or ignition wiring that when turned off, won't allow the car to be started.

[Kevin]

Can't I have an alarm installed? How do I access the killswitch or whatever?

[turbota400]

It is a switch that you would have to install yourself or have someone you trust install it.  I used to have a switch under the dash of my '74 Nova that I used to own.  When I was in a questionable area in town, I would reach under the dash and shut it off.  It killed all power to the ignition and starter.

You might be able to find an alarm that will work for your car.  They can usually be found in car stereo shops.

[pointman]

My 81 came with a Viper alarm system installed with sensors in the doors, hood, trunk. Plus it has a kill switch under the dash. After about 2-3 years of working on the car, I had the stereo shop install a "tilt" sensor-means the alarm is tripped if someone were to jack up the car to steal the wheels or tow it. Okay, I know that might seem a little excessive! But I love my birds!

[Kevin]

When you say "Under the dash" What do you mean exactly? Under the wheel? 

[pointman]

Usually mounted under the dash, just in front or near the emergency brake release handle.

When you say "Under the dash" What do you mean exactly? Under the wheel? 

[Kevin]

Ok cool. I need to have the alignment on my doors fixed before I do any of this though I'm sure. The doors sag a bit so they don't line up like they should so I have to pull up and push it closed...      How much am I looking at to have this sagginess fixed?   

[turbota400]

Alot of times, it is just in need of new pins and bushings.  They can usually be purchased at a parts store for reasonably cheap.

[Kevin]

Thanks, I'll look into that...   Now, my car didn't come with power locks, should I look into having this done for the sake of security? Or should my alarm system work fine without the power locks? Sorry for the stupid questions, it's just I don't know a lot about this stuff. When you say pins and bushings, what do these look like, and what is required to install these myself? I imagine myself taking the whole door off or something, thats what Im afraid of.   

[pointman]

You don't need power windows, my 81 is manual crank windows and the alarm system in fine. I changed out the bushings/pins in my 81 drivers door, not too bad really. I just got a hydraulic jack, built a wood cradle so the door stayed upright (nothing fancy-2" x 4"'s) Set the jack under the opened door directly below the door handle, set my homemade cradle with a towel (not to mar the paint) on top of the jack. Then using the jack lever, raising the cradle/towel until it just touches the bottom of the door. Then I replaced one pin/bushing set at a time, using a drift pin or pin punch to pound out the existing pin, the pop out the old bushings. Make sure your bushing holes in your door hinge are burr free/not rough edges. Install the new bushings, then install the new pin. Important! Remember how it came apart and assemble the new componets in the same configuration. When you have finished one hinge, then doo the next one. I did my top one first then the bottom one, but I can't imagine it really makes a difference which one you do first. Hope this helps.

Thanks, I'll look into that...   Now, my car didn't come with power locks, should I look into having this done for the sake of security? Or should my alarm system work fine without the power locks? Sorry for the stupid questions, it's just I don't know a lot about this stuff. When you say pins and bushings, what do these look like, and what is required to install these myself? I imagine myself taking the whole door off or something, thats what Im afraid of.  

[Kevin]

Yeah, wow... I think I'll leave it up to a shop... Sounds way too complex for me. 

[Kevin]

I just found something called ravelco. Should I look into this? They say that they have a 100% anti theft record http://www.ravelco.com/
Looks pretty cool.