[A Schab]

Thanks,my spokes are pitted and the plastic is perfect.

[Gator67]

I was hoping the cylinders could be cleaned up, but it looks like the block will need to be bored .030 over. The crank checked out fine, so I'm going to use it. I'll be going with forged rods and pistons (dished), a very mild custom ground hydraulic roller (068 mild), and a high quality valve job/cleanup/rebuild of the original 16 heads. I haven't decided whether I'll be sticking with stock distributor & points set up. Regardless, I'm pretty confident this combo will more than make up for the point of compression I'll be giving up to make it run well on pump gas. The original intake along with a correct 708264 q-jet will top it off. Here's a photo of the carb before it was sent off to Cliff Ruggles for assembly and set-up (thank you 6d7gto for your help putting this kit together).

[Gator67]

I've been told the engine is almost together and that it should be ready for the dyno later this week. It's an added expense, but it gives me some piece of mind knowing that everything's as it should be when it's dropped back in.

We decided to stick with the TH400. Besides the added complexity of the 200-4r, we felt it would detract somewhat from the car's otherwise bone stock vibe. We can always make the change later if we want, and it will be nice to save the coin for another project (one may be on the horizon).

The front clip is off and thankfully we found no surprises. The lower cowls look great (see photo). The fenders looked really good as well. The front passenger-side inner fender was banged up...maybe a tire blew out or ran over something.

The second photo shows the A/C hoses to the condenser. I was surprised to see that they were sandwiched between the core support and inner fender. Is this right? I would have thought the hoses would be routed through the core support, but I didn't seen any provision for this.

[Gator67]

Attached is a photo of the engine on the dyno from yesterday. It peaked at 393hp (@ 5400) and 460lb-ft tq (@ 3800rpm) and averaged 323hp and 432lb-ft from 2500 to 5400. Not bad for a small hydraulic roller (214 218 with 112 LSA). It's happy idling at 650rpm to boot!

[rohrt]

Wow imprssive torq numbers.

Any porting with the #16 heads?
Who specd the cam? Any more info on it?

[Gator67]

Engine builder spec'd the cam (3190 and 3313 Comp lobes). With respect to head porting, he just worked the intake bowls a bit and matched the port openings. He knows his way around Pontiac engines.

[Gator67]

I'm going to try to replicate factory finishes, and I'm curious about the front springs. Natural metal, correct?

[Gator67]

Wondering if anyone has a PY coded 68 TH400 transmission available...preferably dated prior to late October 1967.

[tanksteve]

natural metal on the front springs is correct according to Team Camaro, and I have never seen a factory spring with any evidence of paint. However is thought that factory replacement springs may have been painted to keep them from rusting in parts storage.

Somebody in San Diego has early Firebird T-400, I dont know what year, but pm me if you want his number.

[desert68]

Originally Posted by Gator67

Wondering if anyone has a PY coded 68 TH400 transmission available...preferably dated prior to late October 1967.

I just replaced my TH400 with an overdrive unit. Will need to get to the shop in Tempe to check the dates, but will get back to you.

[Gator67]

Originally Posted by desert68

I just replaced my TH400 with an overdrive unit. Will need to get to the shop in Tempe to check the dates, but will get back to you.

Great thanks...btw, I work in Tempe.

[desert68]

Jeff, checked this afternoon and it's a PX 69. It was behind my YT block 400 and has the flex plate and what looks like a close to new TC. Please feel free to PM me if you have an interest.

[Gator67]

Originally Posted by desert68

Jeff, checked this afternoon and it's a PX 69. It was behind my YT block 400 and has the flex plate and what looks like a close to new TC. Please feel free to PM me if you have an interest.

Thank you very much for checking, but I'll pass. I have a functional TH400 from a later model car, and it would only be worth swapping if I found a correct 68 unit.

[Gator67]

The car is disassembled as far as it needs to be. Every time I look at it, I'm tempted to go the next step and have it repainted. I'm going to resist and follow through with the original plan...it looks good enough from a few feet away and it will be great to have a car we would feel comfortable driving and parking anywhere.

No obvious markings on the firewall, maybe I'll see something as it gets cleaned up.

I arrived home from work today and was pleasantly surprised to find a box from Cliff's High Performance...although it will be a month or two before the car's ready, it's nice to have the correct carburetor all taken care of and ready to go.

Pulled the 3.55 gears and the posi unit and traded it to someone for a 2 series carrier and a set of 3.23 gears. I have some 3.08s on hand, and will likely try those gears first with the carrier I get in the trade. If the car feels too pokey or the gears are noisy, the 3.23s will be waiting.

[Gator67]

Picked up the subframe and other parts from the powder coater today. Firewall is cleaning up nicely. Found some marking on the leaf springs, which will be preserved. Almost ready for assembly.

[Gator67]

The car is dusty, but coming together.

The original ZB coded rear end is now stuffed with 3.08 gears and new posi carrier (Auburn).

Since the car is going to be a 5k a year driver, I'm not sweating the small details--I just want it back together, fully functional, clean and mostly correct. As the photo shows, almost ready to drop the engine and transmission back in.

[Tim john]

Jeff, I have a TH400 that was out of my 67 GTO. If I remember correctly it was from a 68 as told to me by the prevsious owner 36+ yeras ago. Completely rebuilt by a local GM dealership years ago (I had the work done), very low miles and with a Trans Go shift improvement kit, also a new GM torque convertor at the same time as the rebuild. I do not recall a date code or sticker or tag or ? on the unit. Perhaps I am not loking in the right place ? There is a round area for a steel tag I belive but nothing there. All this going off memory from years ago (transmission has been crated up and stored away). If you could use it I would gladly ship it to you for a very fair price. It would be a drop in and go, needs nothing.

Tim john---

[Gator67]

Originally Posted by Tim john

Jeff, I have a TH400 that was out of my 67 GTO. If I remember correctly it was from a 68 as told to me by the prevsious owner 36+ yeras ago. Completely rebuilt by a local GM dealership years ago (I had the work done), very low miles and with a Trans Go shift improvement kit, also a new GM torque convertor at the same time as the rebuild. I do not recall a date code or sticker or tag or ? on the unit. Perhaps I am not loking in the right place ? There is a round area for a steel tag I belive but nothing there. All this going off memory from years ago (transmission has been crated up and stored away). If you could use it I would gladly ship it to you for a very fair price. It would be a drop in and go, needs nothing.

Tim john---

Definitely interested Tim. I think there should be a rectangular ID tag attached a few inches above the pan rail and a partial vin stamped as well. Please shoot me a PM or email with details. Thanks!

[Tim john]

Jeff, PM answered and if this does meet your needs, you will be very pleased for it is well done and performs perfectly. One thing of note is that it has a chrome B&M transmission pan installed. I installed that back around 1975 or 76 and it continues to look brand new.

Tim john---

[428RA4]

Interesting project. The car looks like mine when I was in my 20's. Nice work. I'm sure the wife will love it.