93-02 General Tech/Discussion 1993-2002 Firebird/Trans Am General Tech/Discussion |
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03-16-2014, 10:07 AM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Sagging drivers door fix
My 2000 Formula drivers door has been out of alignment and getting harder to close. I went to NAPA and ordered a door hinge kit. The NAPA-solutions 600-5551 kit was made in China. The job took me about four hours to complete, see my list of required steps below.
1- drive front wheels onto ramps, level rear of car with jack stands under rear axle
2- support drivers lower control arm on a wood block (car still level) remove front wheel
3- remove inner fender liner, three screws, two bolts and three plastic push-retainers
4-remove upper hinge first, it's difficult to reach, but a 13 mm wrench works OK
5-grind OEM swaged end off of the two axle pins and drive pins out with a drift and hammer
6-assemble hinge with new bushings, axle pin/bolts and nuts, I added a SS flat washer in gap
7-reinstall upper hinge, I had my kid push-in the foreword upper end as I torqued hardware
8-remove lower hinge, it's easy to get to this one
9- grind OEM swaged ends and drive old pins out using a drift and hammer
10- reassemble lower hinge with new bushings axle pin/bolts and nuts, I added a SS flat washer
11- reinstall lower hinge and check door operation and alignment, adjust as necessary.
12-reinstall inner fender liner using old screws and new push-retainers ($3 each from GM)
13-reinstall drivers side front wheel and test drive
Note: I conducted the test drive prior to reinstalling inner fender to assure no wind noise from window/door misalignment. This way I could make fine tuning adjustments without having to remove the fender liner again.
I added a stainless steel flat washer (two different thickness's) to each hinge because I didn't like the gap after installing the new parts. I suspect the made in china bushings were not to specification. Either way, I shimmed them to my liking, and I greased everything during assembly.
The car was sitting on its suspension as normal during this process to prevent body flex that would misalign the doors.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-16-2014, 10:16 AM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Hardware pile
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-16-2014, 10:18 AM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Lower hinge
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-16-2014, 10:20 AM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Elevated car sitting level
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-17-2014, 08:41 AM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 663
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That's a doorman kit. Great write up though. We've sold a lot of these kits with people having the same issues.
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03-17-2014, 09:40 PM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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I think I need to replace the weatherstrip next. The door is lined-up and closes fine. The window goes up and down fine. If I get in and drive the car without ever moving the window everything is fine, but if I roll the window down, than back up, I have wind noise from the window not sealing right. If I stop and open & close the door, the wind noise goes away. If I lower and then raise the window while driving, I get the wind whistling noise again.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-18-2014, 11:37 AM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 663
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The door/t-top seals are a common replacement item on these cars. We carry a good supplier.
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03-18-2014, 10:58 PM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eric_cspan
We carry a good supplier.
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Who is "We" ? PY?
How hard is it to remove and replace the weather stripping and have it fit, function and appear as well as the stuff that came from the factory?
I installed "soft seal" weather stripping on my 1969 firebird about 20-25 years ago, and I was not too impressed with the end result.
These newer cars (1998-2002) were sealed very well when they were newer, I know because I had one. The one I have now is 14 years old and it leaks when it rains and it whistles driving down the road. It would be nice to make it seal up like when it was new.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-19-2014, 08:54 AM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 663
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 455firebird1969
Who is "We" ? PY?
How hard is it to remove and replace the weather stripping and have it fit, function and appear as well as the stuff that came from the factory?
I installed "soft seal" weather stripping on my 1969 firebird about 20-25 years ago, and I was not too impressed with the end result.
These newer cars (1998-2002) were sealed very well when they were newer, I know because I had one. The one I have now is 14 years old and it leaks when it rains and it whistles driving down the road. It would be nice to make it seal up like when it was new.
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Yes. PY and GTOG8TA.com specifically.
The new seals are pretty good quality. Are they perfect? Probably not. We haven't had complaints with them.
Is yours t-top?
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03-19-2014, 10:41 PM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Yes, my car has t-tops, but the t tops don't seem to have any wind noise problems. It all seems to be coming from the drivers door/window. The passenger side does not have the wind noise problems, but it leaks when it rains. I always see water drops running down over the passenger side plastic where the middle speaker is.
Do you have a link for the replacement weather strip kits?
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-20-2014, 11:43 AM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 663
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I'm sorry. Are you looking for the window felts that run along the door glass or the rubber that runs around the door on the body itself?
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03-20-2014, 12:02 PM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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The window glass seats against a soft rubber weatherstrip.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-20-2014, 09:09 PM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eric_cspan
I'm sorry. Are you looking for the window felts that run along the door glass or the rubber that runs around the door on the body itself?
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I need the rubber that is on the body.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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03-20-2014, 09:25 PM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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I found this at you're website:
http://gtog8ta.com/93-02-firebird/tr...erstrip-t-top/
Do you have replacement weatherstrip for the t-tops? I didn't see them. I would think replacing both the door and t-top rubber would be the best way to get it sealed up again.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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04-05-2014, 10:07 AM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 455firebird1969
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eric, you jumped in, and then no reply?
I still want to replace the weatherstripping on my formula, including the T-top strips. Do you have them or not?
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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04-07-2014, 02:08 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 663
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 455firebird1969
eric, you jumped in, and then no reply?
I still want to replace the weatherstripping on my formula, including the T-top strips. Do you have them or not?
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Sorry for the delay. Yes we carry them. It is all one piece. One kit does the doors (rubber on the body and the T-tops).
That link you posted is what you need.
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04-07-2014, 11:09 PM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Good, thanks for the reply. My car was hit by a helicopter at work, and will be getting a new passenger door and fender now. I'll be replacing the passenger door hinges while replacing everything, the old hinges were sagging, but it's way out of whack now, so I'm replacing the hinges due to the impact damage. I'll replace the weatherstrip for both doors after the paint work is done.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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04-20-2014, 08:44 AM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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After the helicopter crashed into my car, I had the pleasure of replacing the passenger door and fender. I get to use the bushing kit on the passenger side door sooner than planned. I'll be replacing both door weatherstrips after the paint work is finished.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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04-20-2014, 08:49 AM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Repair work in progress.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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04-21-2014, 05:56 AM
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Ultimate Warrior
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 2,650
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Ready for a little bodywork and paint. Both doors have new bushings, no more sag or misalignment.
__________________
1969 Firebird, Tx3-455/468 machined by CVMS
E-heads by Dave Wilcox/Comp Cams 300B-6 flat solid
850DP on E-85 by Eric Niefert/T2 1" plastic spacer
T-400/PTC 4000/390's/30x9 Hoosier radial slicks,#3400
1.38 60' 6.32 @ 108 MPH at Northeast Dragway NC 5/23/15 (9th pass on new engine)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePCu2v...ature=youtu.be
1.37 60' 6.26 @ 109 half track, 9.86 @ 136 1/4 mile, #3350 11/26/16 at Richmond Dragway (125th pass on new engine)
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