68 Firebird code name Green Machine

[AtomicFirebird]

Hi everyone, 1st time poster, long time watcher. I have a 68 firebird with the hopes of a semi-pro tour build. I will try to make an attempt to do most of the work myself. I will maybe sub some stuff out, paint and body work. I want to do half of the Hot Rod Power Tour this year, since it's starting in my state, Florida. Here's to wanting! :mad: Here are some before, between and after shots. Looks like No! Power Tour this year. There in the wrong order, it's pic 2, 3, then 1.

[GHOSTDANCER]

Welcome 2 :lateral: :cheers:

[BODYSHOPMARO]

glad to see people still saving the birds
:thumbsup:

[AtomicFirebird]

Thank you! Glad someone responded!

[Spiffav8]

Not sure how I missed this one. :rolleyes:

Great car and I really like those wheels on it. Any progress since the first post?

Keep at it!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[AtomicFirebird]

Family comes 1st so it's been slow on the car, but fast on the motor. Here is a before the blaster and then after.

[AtomicFirebird]

I wasn't going to do anything with the motor, but then changed my mind. I just wanted someone to give it a once over to make sure it was good before I put in back in the car. Didn't won't to redo the car and find out the motor would die later. Here is what he found. More than a couple bad bearings, a deep groove in the crank and the block was a mess. The block was bored .032, the pistons size .030. 4 of the rods were short and the other 4 longer on the other side. The funny thing is the engine ran really strong, no smoke or funny noises.

[geberhard]

wow missed this one, looking great any more updates? What is the bird on your icon? Same bird?

[AtomicFirebird]

Yes, 68 I wanted to see how the rims fit under the fender.

[AtomicFirebird]

The motor is almost done. The bottom is complete.

[geberhard]

Ah got ya, totally different color form the first post though, I was like, darn that was quick!

Looks great any more pics of it now in progress? I really like the color!

I am building a couple of birds right now (sold my last two and am in kick myself mode), yours look a bit similar to my 67 coupe, still ways to go :)

Sorry crappy pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/geberhard/guibossmock.jpg

What wheels are you running? Looks like they will clear great!

[AtomicFirebird]

I have small progress. I have been trying to cut out the firewall. I have to replace the firewall and the upper cowl. This has been a crazy week for me. Family from Canada came down for a while. No time for myself. I wanted to see them anyway.

[AtomicFirebird]

The wheels are Boss 338. The car was media blasted and I put ospho on the car. It has no color. It was going to be green, but i changed my mind. I am going with a bright white with metal gray or gun metal strips in certain spots.

[AtomicFirebird]

Now that you are asking, I have to go a work on getting some updates. It's good motivation.

[geberhard]

Awesome!!! Ah great minds think alike, I run Boss on my birds and love them!

[AtomicFirebird]

Should I move this to projects after the welcome?

[AtomicFirebird]

I didn't get any responses the 1st time, so I stop posting. So, I watched and learned and just tried to work on the car.

[GregWeld]

Well welcome to the site! About 7 months late for that I guess! Not sure how I missed this and your introduction.... Sorry!

What's your plans for colors etc? Sorry about your motor... we've all been there.


:cheers:

[AtomicFirebird]

Muscle car GM muscle bright white with gun meta or gray strips on the side and back area. The 350 hood is getting a string ray scoop.

[AtomicFirebird]

My plans are:
Rebuilt 400 poncho, hydraulic comp cam, ported heads and Holly carb
Pontiac subframe with speed tech upper and lower control arms
Autowire electrical, Covan dash
Tremec 5 speed, and a couple of things I am going to try and make myself.
I have everything listed, I just need to replace some metal.

[GHOSTDANCER]

Thank you! Glad someone responded!

:lol: :thumbsup: :cheers:

[AtomicFirebird]

I am moving this to the Projects section

[geberhard]

Awesome, I am keeping an eye on it!

[Streetsamurai]

Atomic, awesome car. You mentioned you sprayed it with Ospho, what is that? I am assuming it is some kind of clear primer or sealer?

[AtomicFirebird]

OSPHO is a rust-inhibiting coating - NOT A PAINT. When applied to rusted surfaces, OSPHO causes iron oxide (rust) to chemically change to iron phosphate - an inert substance.

Put simply OSPHO contains phosphoric acid.

[sunoco67]

Any updates???

[AtomicFirebird]

A part on the Eastwood welder was broken. Long story made short, Eastwood is true to their word, they will replaced broken parts immediately. I got me a new welder. While my old welder was down and out. I dropped off my hood to have it modified for the larger intake & air cleaner. Also, Helping my daughter with girl scouts cookies deliveries and family time. Pics to come soon.

[AtomicFirebird]

Here is the update. Here is the old 350 hood and the new hood scoop pics. I think Dave at FabX did a great job!

33871

33872

[firebob]

Ha! Funny, I just finished mine as well. Dropped it on the car on Saturday. Still needs some color but as for now it'll do.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dc27b3127cceff19712e99d900000030O08BcNW7ly0bg9 vPgY/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Robert

[AtomicFirebird]

I thought it would look good sitting on a firebird. It looks great. Great job, can't wait to see it with paint on it.

[firebob]

Here's another angle. Just to give you an idea.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dc27b3127cceff1951f0991700000030O08BcNW7ly0bg9 vPgY/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Robert

[geberhard]

Guys looks killer, definitely a mean look! What scoops did you guys use?

How are you guys making the scoop functional?

[68LQ9]

Nice Bird! Wheel/tire/tuck combo looks sweet. :thumbsup:

Question for ya... the passenger side window that was in my 68 camaro when I bought it must have come out of a firebird because it has an etched firebird logo on it. Does yours have those logos? I have never seen this before on any other first gen firebirds. Was it a special option?

[AtomicFirebird]

The windows are out and sitting in my driveway. When I get home from work I will check and I will let you know. I've never heard of it before, that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

[geberhard]

Yep, had windows with the etching on them, they are bird :D

[sunoco67]

any updates!

[FETorino]

Thank you! Glad someone responded!

How did I miss this intro. :_paranoid Welcome. The Birds are my favorite GM. :D I wish I still had my 69. I think now I like the 67 68s even better. Nice to see you building a Poncho for power :thumbsup:

[AtomicFirebird]

I have been taking my time working on the car. I have been replacing and repairing rusted metal. Some days I think I bit off more than I can chew. I can tell you this, new metal does not fall into place. It always needs a little finesse.

[AtomicFirebird]

I have not been able to work on the car for years because of family, work, and school. So, I had a little more money than time, not mcuh a little more. I dropped the car off at a shop in my County. .

[AtomicFirebird]

It has been a long time since I posted anything. I have worked on the car with a lot of help from nearby shops. I have made a lot of progress since then.
80964

[AtomicFirebird]

The car is now painted. Then old/new motor is in. Took her a cruise at night and wait for it.

[AtomicFirebird]

Comp Cam lifter failure.

[WSSix]

well, that certainly is unfortunate. I'm glad to see you're still making progress though. The white looks great on the car. Hope there's no major damage from the lifter issue.

[AtomicFirebird]

On the road again!

[AtomicFirebird]

Got some temporary wheels and tires for $400. Had to take off the 16 year old tires.

[camcojb]

:thumbsup:

[Roscoe03]

Car looks great! Glad to see you stuck it out and finished it. Did you not end up liking the stinger hood afterall?

[AtomicFirebird]

Car looks great! Glad to see you stuck it out and finished it. Did you not end up liking the stinger hood afterall?

I liked it a lot, but the painter and shop owner hated the hood.