About Us

Alvin · 09-17-2015, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Boneske

Here's our '68. Body up to firewall & interior is completed. We are nearly done in the engine compartment, so the fenders will be going on soon.

We decided to run a '66 Tripower setup on the E-heads. The ports are much too large for the cast iron '66 intake, so we used the aftermarket aluminum manifold. We added material by welding around the port areas so there would be enough material to port match to the heads. Worked out really well.

I'll post more pictures after we have the front end together.

Dick looks GR8, thx for sharing!

What brand/PN is that manifold you're using? I'm interested in doing something the same, but different

Tellyshavilli · 10-01-2015, 10:50 AM

On the way home with my youngest son

FirebirdHank · 10-04-2015, 08:09 PM

Thought I'd post a pic with the new tail panel treatment.

ponjohn · 10-04-2015, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirebirdHank

Thought I'd post a pic with the new tail panel treatment.

Is the black tail panel an option?

The Boss · 10-04-2015, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tellyshavilli

On the way home with my youngest son

Nice! Got some details for us?

ta-69 · 10-04-2015, 09:16 PM

I bought this car 35 years ago when I was 15 my first car. It was all original 350 2bbl 3 speed manual and the only major option it had was stack gauges. Now it has a 455 with edelbrock heads and a dominator, tremec 5 speed and a 12 bolt. Also I added a power seat and tilt wheel years ago.It been storage for 5 or 6 years it was good to get it out and go for a ride. Jim

Dick Boneske · 10-05-2015, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvin

Dick looks GR8, thx for sharing!

What brand/PN is that manifold you're using? I'm interested in doing something the same, but different

It's the aftermarket '66 Tripower aluminum manifold that Ames and others sell. It will not work with RAIV style Edlebrock heads unless you weld added material on the top and bottom of the port areas. Before we did this, you could see the top of the ports on the heads when the manifold was setting on the engine.

We welded about 3/8" of aluminum onto the top of all four port areas and on only one of the bottom port areas. I then used an intake gasket from Butler to grind the ports in the manifold to match the heads. We also had to grind (with a hand-held air grinder) to restore the profile of the top of the manifold for cosmetic reasons. I blasted the manifold after grinding to make it appear unmodified. Engine is a 467 cu. in. Butler with Lunati Voodoo hydraulic roller cam.

As you can see, I had to run the mechanical linkage to the front carb instead of the rear because of interference from the kickdown switch for the TH400. Car runs and idles great! Throttle response is awesome.

Today, we put the 3" Flowmaster system in place. Needs a few welds and we're done with exhaust. Also ready to put front sheet metal on.

FirebirdHank · 10-05-2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponjohn

Is the black tail panel an option?

As far as I know the only '69 Firebirds that got a tail panel painted different from the car color were the Trans Am's.
It was a popular mod when the cars were new though.

MikeNoun · 10-05-2015, 11:04 AM

Yes, it's was just a popular thing to do back then. Many early Camaros and Chevelles had blacked out tail panels from the factory, but not 1967-1969 Firebirds. I too have a blacked out tail panel on my car, which the previous owner did back in 1984.

Mike

Dick Boneske · 11-09-2015, 11:22 AM

Here's the first drive. We got the front bumper and hood in place. Really difficult getting the front bumper alignment right, but we did it.

How do you like the sound?

I'll post more pictures later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOpJQrcXox0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwf5F1wl1-4

camerjeff · 11-10-2015, 10:13 AM

Here are a few shots taken at last years Trans Am Reunion (race series not the car) and Michigan's Waterford Hills Raceway on 10-5-2014. I could not make this years event due to work obligations. My Yellow 69 Sprint sticks out like a sore thumb according to my wife.