Author Topic: 73 Firebird Formula 400 - Ready for Spring! (Read 14044 times)

CBJoe · « **Reply #175 on:** April 28, 2021, 08:14:49 PM »

Quote from: Don R on April 28, 2021, 07:28:30 PM

I bought a fender lip roller for not a lot, off marketplace. It bolts to the wheel hub and adjusts a nylon roller out and rotates like a tire until the fender lip is as smooth as it needs to be.

Hey Don.....the fender rolling ended up not being enough....I got 95% of the fender contact resolved with the massaging of the inner fender lip. BUT....that didn't resolve the swaybar contact. It was just too much. Even navigating parking spaces as difficult without the tire making contact.

I bit the bullet and went one size narrower on the Nitto Tire.....went from a 255-50/17 to a 245-45/17. All is resolved

I think Steve-O wont like the extra space

but Rose likes the looks and it drives great with no more issues.

It’s crazy the difference in a single downsize in tire. I’m not sure if it’s just in my head...but the steering and handling actually feels better. At least that’s that I’m gonna tell myself

And now I have a brand new set of rear tires to do burnouts in

ofreen · « **Reply #176 on:** April 29, 2021, 07:31:01 AM »

Quote from: CBJoe on April 28, 2021, 08:14:49 PM

It’s crazy the difference in a single downsize in tire. I’m not sure if it’s just in my head...but the steering and handling actually feels better. At least that’s that I’m gonna tell myself

It may well be not just in your head. I see people go too big on tires all the time in jeeps, trucks, cars and bikes because they are more concerned with looks than function. Your car looks great.

CBJoe · « **Reply #177 on:** May 02, 2021, 02:10:28 PM »

Fuel gauge hasn’t worked for a year due to bad sending unit. Had one sitting in shelf since last fall but just got around to installing.

Dang thing only has a feed line whereas original has a return along with.

Ordered new one

Bad thing is I have to wait a few days...good thing is the inside of tank is spotless and the original undercoat on body above tank is in great shape...went ahead and ordered new straps and rubber bits to keep it all from squeaking.

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dave500 · « **Reply #178 on:** May 02, 2021, 02:46:32 PM »

yeah i hate no fuel guage.

CBJoe · « **Reply #179 on:** May 02, 2021, 02:49:08 PM »

Quote from: dave500 on May 02, 2021, 02:46:32 PM

yeah i hate no fuel guage.

Especially when we get 8-11mpg at the best

Only good thing about running out of gas in a bright orange Firebird is that every good ole boy in a pickup stops to see if you need help. Speaking from experience

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CBJoe · « **Reply #180 on:** May 02, 2021, 03:50:35 PM »

Quote from: ofreen on April 29, 2021, 07:31:01 AM

Quote from: CBJoe on April 28, 2021, 08:14:49 PM
It’s crazy the difference in a single downsize in tire. I’m not sure if it’s just in my head...but the steering and handling actually feels better. At least that’s that I’m gonna tell myself

It may well be not just in your head. I see people go too big on tires all the time in jeeps, trucks, cars and bikes because they are more concerned with looks than function. Your car looks great.

Thanks Greg...we're still super entertained by the bright color classic car vibe driving it around. Rose also thinks the front tires helped the general handling feel. So its not just me

dave500 · « **Reply #181 on:** May 03, 2021, 01:14:14 AM »

what diff ratio is in that?

CBJoe · « **Reply #182 on:** May 03, 2021, 01:32:34 PM »

Quote from: dave500 on May 03, 2021, 01:14:14 AM

what diff ratio is in that?

Hey Dave...its got a 3.42 Posi

I assume you are asking because of the low MPG....I'm also going to be taking the Q-Jet back apart to replace the Primary Rods with new ones. I remember last I had it apart the existing ones were pretty corroded.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #183 on:** May 03, 2021, 03:39:23 PM »

Joe, that's not too bad. My 67 GTO 400/4 barrel QJ got down to 6mpg but gas was REAL cheap back then. $7 for a fill up but I could only afford 1 tank a week back then. I had that damn QJ rebuilt twice without luck. The single pump 600 Holley with adapter got me up to 12mpg. 3.42 isn't that bad either. Middle of the road.

Kelly E · « **Reply #184 on:** May 03, 2021, 05:08:05 PM »

Nice job on the Firebird. You set it up great for all around fun. The second generation Camaro/Firebirds are really fun cars to play with. You can set them up to play any way you want.
Our next hotrod project is a 1980 El Camino with a factory manual transmission. We're going to set it up like your car for all around fun.

CBJoe · « **Reply #185 on:** May 03, 2021, 06:07:21 PM »

CBJoe · « **Reply #186 on:** May 03, 2021, 06:07:47 PM »

I used to not be an el camino fan...but more and more I see resto-mod versions that I really dig...and you can haul your motorcycle

dave500 · « **Reply #187 on:** May 03, 2021, 11:14:28 PM »

yeah mines a 3:36,was a 3.08 and before that a 2.78,getting shorter legs all the time?

Kelly E · « **Reply #188 on:** May 04, 2021, 08:38:51 AM »

I have 3.73 gears in my 84' GMC S-15. It's really fun but not too much. The truck is making about 240hp out of the stock block. First gear was a little low but I went with 70 series tires to fix it which is fine because I spend some time on dirt roads.

CBJoe · « **Reply #189 on:** May 09, 2021, 01:33:50 PM »

Fuel Tank Sending Unit replacement is complete.....its such a small thing, but having a working fuel gauge is an amazing thing. I had about 4 gallons in there and it read around a quarter tank...filled it up and it went right to full

Far as I can tell its an 18 gallon tank.

note...picture is with car sitting on incline...when on level ground its right at full. Also, I replaced he HVAC control unit with a rebuilt one. The old one was trashed and I'd hurt myself trying to move the levers they were so hung up.

Have been playing around with the Quadrajet trying to learn the ins and outs of adjusting. I put a call into Cliffs High Performance for one of their kits...and to my surprise Cliff called me back this weekend and ended up chatting for a good while. Turns out he learned bikes by working on old hondas

He was not enthused with the primary and secondary rod setup in my kit. I've got a nice care package coming my way (including his book) to do a proper go through on this QJet and get it set up correctly. Its funny...after all of these years of screwing around with SOHC4 Racks of Carbs, a QJet is a dream to work on

Also took the leap and ordered new carpet, and some interior parts to make headway to convert the ugly a$$ interior further into black. Not feeling pulling the whole dash at this time...but after all else is done it will be due its time.

Cheers, Joe

CBJoe · « **Reply #190 on:** May 09, 2021, 02:21:00 PM »

Quote from: dave500 on May 30, 2020, 04:43:01 AM

i had to knock on the door of a house about a skip bin i was about to collect as it was over loaded,no one home but this in the driveway sideways on?pontiacs are really rare here in australia,they used to sell chevys during the 60s here,dunno if this is left hand drive?

Hey Dave....curious if you ever found out more about this car? Or did it just go in passing

dave500 · « **Reply #191 on:** May 09, 2021, 11:18:37 PM »

yeah just in passing,if im that way again ever ill do a drive by for you.

CBJoe · « **Reply #192 on:** May 25, 2021, 05:12:04 PM »

Progress...carpet is a PITA and they really didn’t design these for kick panel speakers. Had to do some heavy tweaking on some aftermarket panels.

Carpet is all done. Will lay even better after it bakes in the sun for a few days. Made some trimming mistakes and almost cut some edges too short. Lesson learned

Got to tidy up some odds and ends and get the 3 point belts installed in rear. Hoping to take on a trip over the weekend

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seanbarney41 · « **Reply #193 on:** May 25, 2021, 09:02:04 PM »

If you have any desire to listen to music in that car, it still isnt running right lol.....that, or the engine is shut off.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #194 on:** May 26, 2021, 01:56:25 PM »

Really nice Joe

CBJoe · « **Reply #195 on:** May 26, 2021, 04:45:03 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on May 25, 2021, 09:02:04 PM

If you have any desire to listen to music in that car, it still isnt running right lol.....that, or the engine is shut off.

We do like loud music...and Tom Waits.....if anything can cover Tom when hes going i'll be surprised

Kelly E · « **Reply #196 on:** May 26, 2021, 05:03:24 PM »

The carpet is looking good. Interiors are tough to get nice. My learning curve was when I redid the interior of my 72' MGB/GT about 8 years ago. I almost cut off too much as well.

CBJoe · « **Reply #197 on:** May 26, 2021, 06:26:57 PM »

Quote from: Kelly E on May 26, 2021, 05:03:24 PM

The carpet is looking good. Interiors are tough to get nice. My learning curve was when I redid the interior of my 72' MGB/GT about 8 years ago. I almost cut off too much as well.

No shyte....it was more of a PITA than I thought. I about had a heart attack when I realized I gut both sides a bit too short.

dave500 · « **Reply #198 on:** May 27, 2021, 12:56:04 AM »

tom waits "the pontiac"it was a kind of an ox blood,it handled so beautifully.

CBJoe · « **Reply #199 on:** May 30, 2021, 03:59:59 PM »

Well...it’s official. There will always be a few things to do here and there, but we took the Firebird on its first 400+ mile trip. Ran flawlessly and got around 11-12 miles per gallon on country highways.

I’m done wrenching and we’re just gonna enjoy.

No leaks and engine ran at a nice 180 degrees on average. Sounds good, though we would like a slightly louder rumble to exhaust at some point.

Feels great to have the interior done. Headline and Dashboard will get redone later this year.

We really are liking the black with white seats.

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Author Topic: 73 Firebird Formula 400 - Ready for Spring! (Read 14044 times)