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Old 04-19-2005, 08:53 PM
[email protected] Bob87@intechnetwork.com is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: akron, ohio
Posts: 30
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Alright guys,
I finally have a chance to tell everyone how the winter upgrade went on my 68 bird. I installed polyurethane bushings throughout the front of my car including the sub-frame and control arms. That went fairly well. It took some time figuring out the best method to press out the control arm bushings, but I found that using a ball-joint press worked the best. If you use an arbor press, there is a good change that you will bend the control arms if they are not supported properly. As far as the sub frame bushings, I had to build new sleeves that go through the center of the bushings. I just used big washers as well as steel gas line.

I also bought a front disc brake conversion kit off of eBay and installed it. This went very well with minimal problems during the install. The biggest problems being that they did not include new brake hoses or bango bolts. Not a big deal because you can buy them at your local parts store. Just make sure you get hoses for a 74 nova with disc brakes and metric banjo bolts. The only problems I had with the company was that they did not indicate that they were going to be shipping parts separately, and the only way to communicate with them is with a phone call. So, I was a little worried when I didn't get all the parts the first go around. Again, not the end of the world, but its easier to just write an email and give me a heads up.

While I did the disc brake conversion, I figured I would convert to vacuum assist. I ended up buying a booster, master cylinder, and prop valve from a 1983 camaro. To install the booster I had to lengthen the rod from the brake pedal to the booster. Also, because I did not have power brakes I did not have the right brackets to bolt it to the firewall. So, I used the brackets that came with the booster riveted to the back of it. I ended up cutting them off the booster and then relocating them so that I could center the booster in the existing hole through the firewall. I also had to hogg out the bolt holes in the brackets.

The master cylinder and prop valve went in pretty easy. I had to buy two adapters to adapt the rear brake line and one of the fronts.

After I had everything together, I had to get an alignment because with the new bushings everything was in a new place. Also, for some reason the car lowered itself in the front after I did everything mentioned above. I don't know if the springs were installed wrong before the swap, or what happened. I ended up buying Eibach lowering springs. It is still low, but it is not soupy in the front. I'm used to bouncy cars from all of my friends rice burners so a little bounce doesn't bother me either. My tires rub some with the car being lower, but a new pair will fix that, and they will only rub when I'm making really sharp turns.

So, if you guys are looking to do any of these upgrades, I will try to answer any questions that I can. It takes a fair amount of time to do all of this at once. I'm really glad that I did do all of these upgrades. The car handles better, looks great lowered, stops really well and straight (compared to the front drums). Now, I just need to start looking to upgrade the rear end of the car. Any ideas?

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68 FIREBIRD WITH A 350/TH350 FOR RIGHT NOW. 4 SPD TO COME SOON.
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