[79 Phoenix]

Engine painted, flywheel, pilot bushing, clutch and bell housing on. I was able to center the bell almost perfect with a dial indicator.

The bell had been damaged at some time in the past as there is a patch riveted over a hole. Maybe he bottomed out on a rock or something like that. So, I worked on a high spot to get it down a few thousandths... Parallel alignment is not perfect, but I think it will be okay.

Next step is to fill the tranny with oil and install. Engine and tranny should be bolted in sometime next week.

After that, install engine, wire harness and starter,. Then finish the radiator support.

[79 Phoenix]

Got the transmission in. Next week engine and trans will be bolted in!

[79 Phoenix]

Engine and trans in! Next clutch linkage and engine wiring harness.

[79 Phoenix]

I've been working on the clutch linkage to get it freed up, de-rusted and painted. I replaced the bushings and retainer + fresh grease on the bell crank. Mostly installed now.

Also found the LH exhaust manifold (from 73 Firebird) on my new engine seemed too close to the lower A-arm so I got the one off my old 350. The passages on the old one are a little smaller. Pictured are the original LH next to the RH (65 GTO). I painted with 2000 degree VHT Primer.

I'm thinking the size difference isn't going to matter much since it's not really a high-performance engine.

[79 Phoenix]

Been working on a lot of tedious stuff and had to wait for a bushing to come in, but the clutch is adjusted, back-lock installed correctly (I think).

I found the 73 Firebird LH exhaust manifold is almost identical (clearance-wise) to the 71 GT-37 off the 350. So I decided to use the 73 manifold because it's a little more open and closer to the RH manifold in that respect. I removed them both and painted, the reinstalled with new gaskets.

Today I also installed the repaired radiator support. Seems okay so far but need to get the header panel and fenders on before I make adjustments and see how well everything lines up..

Also working on getting the seatbelt bolts beside the front seat out...making progress slowly. I work it back and forth and loosen about 1/16 at a time so I don't snap them. Using lots of P Blaster! Soon I will begin repairing the holes in the floor.

I ordered a new front lighting harness and am waiting for that. Once I get it I will install that and engine harness and gauge hookups.

[Shiny]

Thanks for posting the pics.

That looks like a LOT of progress! Nice!

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Shiny

Thanks for posting the pics.

That looks like a LOT of progress! Nice!

Thanks, you're welcome. I always appreciate pictures on other people's projects too. It's come a long way but still so far to go. But it's fun--mostly!

[79 Phoenix]

I decided that since I will be waiting for the wiring harness for a few weeks I will attack the floor. The seat belts and front seat are out. No surprises in the floor.
Overall, the floor is pretty good considering its age. There are a number of smaller holes in different areas. The worst area is just inside the driver's door (not pictured). It looks to me that the driver's window was left open for a time and the carpet held moisture on the floor . Also it appears the heater core was leaking for quite a while. Here are a few pictures of the floor--more later.

[79 Phoenix]

I patched the floor using a couple layers of fiberglass mesh with resin. Worked great just like the several holes in the trunk. I painted with Rustoleum rusty metal primer. I also undercoated the patched areas underneath and still need to do touchup black underneath.

After taking care of a few details underneath with the speedometer cable clips and parking brake cables I will move to the wiring and gauges.

I now have both the new engine harness and front lighting harness. I will plug them both into the firewall bulk head . For now I will hook up the engine wiring, starter, oil pressure, volt and water temp gauges.

The fuses in the fuse block have been in there at least 33 years... I guess I should replace them all.

Also, I stopped by a local exhaust fabricator today and it looks like when the time comes I will have them make a 2 1/2 system using Flowmaster mufflers.

I need to buy a battery because I will need one soon!

[79 Phoenix]

As the work continues, I have installed speedometer cable, hung e-brake cables, and am in the process of installing the engine wire harness and gauge hookups for my mechanical gauges. It's been a learning experience for sure. But mostly finished.

I am also working on modifying the original throttle cable bracket so it will work correctly on the Edelbrock manifold and Quadrajet.

I bought a battery and the rear tires this week.

I need to install radiator, hoses, heater hoses and fan. Hopefully it will fire up next week!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

This car should have been yours a long time ago.
Its definitely getting the love now.

The vise grip shifter is my favorite part - that is real rock n roll right there.
Would leave it awhile if it will drive like that !

Nice stuff you're doing with it - congrats .

[79 Phoenix]

Thanks Baron! I got my inspiration for the shifter from what my brother did about 60 years ago. He had a 55 Chevy 283 3 speed on the floor. He broke the shifter handle and used a pair of vice-grips... Actually, my vice-grips are just temporary. I didn't want to put the Hurst handle back on till I'm finished because I struggled a bit getting it off...

[79 Phoenix]

Got the engine fired up a couple weeks ago! Cranked right up and good oil pressure at idle. Temp seemed to level off just above 180. Engine sounds real healthy.

I need to figure out why my gas gauge isn't working...Tank and sender are new... It may be the sender even though I checked it out with an ohm meter before installation...I thought it was grounded real well but will check that again.

Currently working on the header panel and grills... Coming along pretty well. When header panel is finished I start working on the fenders.

[79 Phoenix]

Got the nose on...not quite ready for paint yet but fairly close.

Have put MANY hours into these fenders. On the plus side, they are saveable and I found no Bondo. On the negative side, as expected, there is some rust I needed to cut out and pin holes to drill out. Structural repair getting close to finished. Then there will be Bondo--or actually an Evercoat product.

I plugged the unneeded trim holes with coins & JB Weld. 9 holes on each fender. they seem to be very solid and I am pleased with results thus far.

Here are some pictures of the coins and the beginning of hole patching. I've made good progress since these pictures taken.

PS: A few weeks ago got the new u-joints in, drive shaft painted and installed...

[79 Phoenix]

Did the first test fit with the driver's side fender. It's not too bad but needs a lot more work...

[1972 Lemans GT Jim]

Just catching up on your build and it is coming along well, great job!

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by 1972 Lemans GT Jim

Just catching up on your build and it is coming along well, great job!

Thanks! I'm happy with how it's going... But body work takes me 5 times longer than a pro to get it (hopefully) right. If I ran a body shop I would go broke in 2 weeks!

[1972 Lemans GT Jim]

Couldn't have said it better myself!!

All we have to do is get it done for ourselves.

[79 Phoenix]

Finished the inside of fenders. I think they will hold up pretty well. Outsides are not finished but fairly close. I also installed the intermediate steering shaft and new rag joint.

Fenders are on but not bolted yet. Hood is just laying on top. I will also temporarily bolt on bumper to get the front end weight close to what it will be.

I will then put a set of tires from my Phoenix on the front and take the car down off the jack stands to see how it sits (I have 255 X 60-15 on rear). Hopefully I will be happy with how the front sits. If it sits too high I will need to remove front springs and shorten them slightly... I hope not. Then I will also decide what size the front tires will be...probably 245 X 60-15.

Once the suspension is finalized, I will install front sway bar and shocks. If rear is too low, I will raise it with spacers. Then I will finish the rear brake lines and fill the system and bleed brakes.

I also need to get my gas gauge working. I will re-check the ground. If it's not the ground, I have a new sending unit that I will install.

[79 Phoenix]

I got the driver's fender adjusted and bolted down. Now I need to finish the body filler on it (its further along than these pictures show).

I installed the front tires off my Phoenix which are 215 X 65-15 (a hair under 26" dia.) just to get an idea about ride height... Seems higher in the front than I want but I have decided to definitely go with 245 X 60-15 on the front which will be a little more than 1/2" larger diameter than in these pictures.

The rear springs seem to be fine. A little higher ride height than I was expecting but no spare tire in the trunk and only 4 gallons of gas in the tank. Plus no rear bumper...

So, I will most likely be removing the front springs and cutting them to about an inch drop on the front or maybe more.

Got the hood hinges prepped and painted today.