rgrking

I work at a dealership were we have all the domestic brands. I'm about an hour SW of STL. A few months ago I saw an old 88 Firebird that was being traded in. I told them I was interested in it. I didn't even go out and look at it.

Next thing I know, I ask about the Firebird and was told that it was at the junkyard getting ready to get crushed. Long story short, I bought the car for $300.00.

I drove it home. Ran good. It's going to need some work though. Popped the hood. Freshly rebuilt L03 305 TBI, and a freshly rebuilt 700-R4 4L60. I know that this isn't the engine I wanted, but I figured that I would just run the 305 until it blew or I found something else.

I've been working on it from time to time, but with work and graduate school, I just had no extra time. Well I graduated a couple of weeks ago. I have redone most of the hard panels on the interior, got the rear pull down motor up and going, and replaced the A.C control.

I have a local guy sourcing me an old Pontiac 400 as we speak. He's got a few still. I want to keep the 700-R4 4L60 also. (for some reason I am a huge fan of the 700-R4)

I'm not trying to make a monster out of this, but have it as a daily driver type vehicle.

This weekend I hope to get most of the weatherstripping replaced. The person before me actually hot glued the T-tops in.

Here's the first day of owning her.



This is going to be a long work in process. I've finished school, but I still work 60 hours a week. I'm on a tight budget, so I'm doing everything I can on my own.

There's a couple of small rust areas that I have already planned to fix.

Also, any help would be appreciated. It's been a lot of years since I've worked on an engine, inside and out.

I'm not quite sure on what I'm going to need to make this work, but I know it's all going to happen within time.

This is my first car. A 1987 Firebird. The goal is to have my new one look like this one.

[IMG]https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/%3Ca%20href=http://s261.photobucket.com/user/rgrking/media/Pics/Firebird/19741_1226707900532_2573541_n.jpg.html%20target=_blank%3E

novadk13

For 300 bucks I would pick it up too, doesnt look in too bad of shape. Id save up for a 5.3 from a newer van or truck, picked up mine up for 900 bucks so you look long enough you'll find find something I wasnt in a huge rush to get a engine so I didnt mind the long search.

rgrking

I like those engines, well not the ones in the Tahoes, Yukons, or Suburbans. They tend to use up oil. I like my old Pontiac's. I've been reading and reading about the swap. I guess I'll find out later this week what it will set me back for the engine.

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

Congrats on Graduation!!!
And
Great save!!!

rgrking

Thank you. I couldn't stomach that car being crushed. Now I have to keep the woman on board with me spending the money. Thank goodness for sheno money. Money she don't know about.

khulsebus

iTrader: (2)

If you could do the Pontiac swap, it would be pretty cool, but a lot of work since a real Pontiac engine never came in these cars. Depending on your point of view, you may be better off doing a LS swap. As far as the LS engines use up oil, if they were taken care of, then they aren't too bad. The early ones do have issues with the PCV and oil consumption, but there have been some good fixes to that on here. If you're up for a 3 hour drive this summer, my car is in Columbia.

rgrking

I'm up in Columbia a lot for the VA Hospital. Yeah I think I'm going to stick with the 400. Nothing looks better in an engine bay than a big ole blue engine.

khulsebus

iTrader: (2)

I'll be back there in May for about a month, but until then my dad has been taking care of it. LMK if you'd want to meet up. I had some plans for Third-Gen Fest, some track time, and a visit to Larry Larson's shop.

rgrking

Hey if you ever need any info on repairs let me know. I have alldatapro.com that I can access as well.

khulsebus

iTrader: (2)

I should be good, but thanks. Going to Larson's shop to get some SFC's welded in. I don't have a welder, the only places that I can find that rent anything besides a flux-core are in STL or KC, and since his shop is closer than KC I'm going to swing by there. And he's the 5 time champ, I want to see that Nova. Besides that, I'd like a scanner to watch what's going on with the motor and the tune, but I think I have something worked out for that. I do need to get it to a track though to dial in the rear suspension. Once that's done, it'll be game on once I get down to Louisiana.

rgrking

We just had an auction here at the dealership where we got rid of a ton of old engine analyzers. Wish I would have purchased one of them now. They went for maybe $50.

novadk13

That's it 50 bucks, they still worked too?

rgrking

yeah they all worked. Even older snap on analyzers. I didn't even get a chance to go back and buy anything.

rgrking

I just picked up an old 350 for the Bird. Block ID is 3914678, shows to be a '68 302/327/350. Head ID is 3973487. I have to double check the head, but that's what I remember. I wasn't able to snap a photo of it. I'll have it tomorrow. It's a long block that was covered in grease on the inside. Ill still need at least an intake, carb, valve covers, and timing cover. Pretty excited to start the building process.

rgrking

woo hoo. Just got an engine stand (1 ton) and hoist (one ton) with only $7 shipping. Harbor Freight.

rgrking

Found out the engine has been bored .030. Trying to decide which way to build it. Also, I ordered the Z20 flares, not the spoiler.

I'm going to start tearing down the 305 next week while I'm on vacation and take the block to get cleaned.

I have some rust on the bottom of both doors. Later, I'm going to order those and try to fix that myself. I'm going to start removing body panels for a complete paint job.

I'm also looking for drop spindles. If anyone has them for sale, please let me know. I'll send someone today to pick them up.

rgrking

I have an opportunity to get a Pontiac 400 our of a 69 Firebird. He wants $100 for it. It needs a re-freshening. He's willing to do that too for a few hundred.

My question is, is it really worth it to try to put the 400 in my third gen? I know there's a lot of modifications that need done. I'm not sure I want to tackle that right now, but it is up for the winter, and I would have plenty of time.

rgrking

He also has a freshly build 454 for right at $1000.

hmmm Decisions, decisions.

rgrking

or should I just put a 383 kit in my 350 and be done with it.

Edwardgp

Nice save, more pictures when you get a chance. Got to love the pictures. Good luck.

khulsebus

iTrader: (2)

Rebuild 350 into 383 and be done with it.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

If you are going to do a 383, at least find a factory roller block. I'd use one from a 96 to whatever chevy truck.
You'll have the roller cam, powdered metal rods,lighter pistons, vortec heads. 1 piece rear main and better gaskets for the motor. Will need a vortec intake and use the small 305 flexplate. This motor will run better than that older one, esp if you are doing a mild DD type build.