[loudpipes78]

Bought a 76 Firebird (with the drivetrain in it from a 79TA) and the rolling chasis left from the 79TA a couple months ago from a friend and now I feel my newbie self might have gone a little overboard for my experience and funds. I'll warn you this is gonna be a long ass post so here we go.

76 Firebird is supposed to have the 79TA motor and tranny in it. The motor is indeed a Pontiac 400 as evident by the 400 castings I've found on the block but that motor only came with a 4spd back in 79 which the car didn't have. I was told it was a TH400 in it but found out today it's a good ol' TH350. When I put the front end up it started leaking oil quite steadily from the drain hole in cover that goes over the area b/w the motor and tranny. Pull the cover and looks like I have quite the oil leak going on (not sure what exactly it is but assuming it's a rear main seal.) Also checked out the tie rods and center link and it looks like those are f'd as well. I also have a mystery oil leak coming from the area above where the filter hooks in. The flange where the exhaust manifold hooks to the down pipe for the exhaust a bolt is snapped off causing a bad seal and a nice smokey leak when the engine is running. The carb needs a re-build on it since it slowly drips gas out of the front (baffle? don't know if I have the term right.) Kick down cable is hooked into the tranny (looks right to me) but not to the carb. Wiring is crazy just in general from a bad motor swap. Casting numbers other than 400 really can't be made out on the block from the re-paint. I guess that's all the engine woes.


As I was digging around under the car today I saw a small piece of loose metal, pulled it clean out, hmmm that's rusty, keep feeling and removing the rusted section... I can now reach through the front of the driver's floor pan with like 4 of my fingers There is also slight rust on the back quarter panels but nothing horrid.

Rear end is bone stock and has some surface rust over the majority of it. It's a 10 bolt, non-posi, and that' about all I know. I was a little to pissed about the tranny and giant hole to even check it out.

Interior is in fairly good condition not that I give a crap (driver seat, steering wheel, and working windows is all I need) wait.... I only have 2 of the 3 of those working. Guauges are pretty much f'd just not working and the ones that are aren't working well. POS has power windows that in true GM fashion don't work worth an F'!

I have like zip experience on cars other than working on my chebby 305 in my 78 bird. I have basic knowledge but all of this seems overwhelming at the moment and I'm not sure if I am willing to put the cash and time into this car.

So what's your .02 did I bite off more than I could chew. Ball park a guesstimate of the time and cashola I'm going to have to dump into this beast to even make it reliable to drive. If I do decide to sell it what's a fair asking price for it. I just keep thinking that at this point in my life (married 21 year old sales guy, soon to be in management with even less time on his hands) I should just look for a reliable 2nd car and put my extra cash toward debt, mistakes of youth, downpayment on a house, all that fun ****. I basically have 300-400 cash every month to put into it.

Any and all help, questions, concerns, etc etc etc all are appreciated. Thanks.

~Mike