[428RA4]

Jeff -

Though I respect your decision to stay drums, good common sense would tell me to put disc breaks on the car. There is a HUGE difference between drum and disc breaks. Your GTO may have had the rear drum breaks out of adjustment causing you to have less then optimum breaking performance. Give yourself piece of mind and do the change.

[428RA4]

Besides that Jeff, the drum breaks on a GTO are larger. On a bird they are smaller and you can really feel the difference between disc and drum on an F body car. You will also get rid of the brake pull you get with drum breaks. An F body is a sub-frame car and it's night and day between a full frame car with drums.

[Gator67]

The test drive went very well. No leaks. Good oil pressure. Water temp never moved above midpoint on the gauge, even in traffic, and it's 110 degrees here. No unusual noises--suspension and brakes work great. Much tighter than before. The car also has more zip than before--though, I think there's more to be had with a bit of tuning. It cruises much better with the 3.08 gears and taller tires.

Still a few issues to sort out so the car's still in the shop. Here's the punch list...not bad considering how much work was done...

The A/C, which is set up for 134, doesn't blow cold enough, and the condenser gets too hot in traffic...I think I'm going to go back to R12.

The cruise control works when I use the button on the turn signal, but for some reason it doesn't disengage when I hit the brakes (I have to use the button). I can hear air escaping from the vacuum release, so it's probably one of the wires on the brake switch.

The battery died (new)--may need an alternator.

Both convertible top cylinders are leaking--ordered new ones (and a hose kit) from Hydrp-e-lectric.

The windshield wipers work sporadically--ordered a new switch.

Couldn't replace the a pillar molding without removing the windshield--we'll live with it until i have to replace the windshield or we decide to paint it.

It's pretty dusty after living in a body shop for 6 months, so we'll have to detail it before I give it to my wife. I think she'll be pleased.

[Gator67]

Been driving the Firebird exclusively over the last few days--back and forth to work errands, shopping, date night--and everything is good.

Here's a photo of the radiator installed and another of the box with the model number.