Hi my name is Terry and I have a project.  In thinking back to my high school days I would love to have any one of several rides I've drove and parted with, don't you.  In high school while working the summers I acquired my first car, a 1958 Chevy four door with a 348ci-V8 which was called a truck motor back then.  Later I acquired a 1967 Pontiac GTO from a good friend of mine. After starting a family the Goat wasn't very practical for us and it was sold to pay other bills.  I also had a 1970 GTO with a 400ci HO engine and auto trans with a slap stick shifter, an old Chevy pickup with rap-around back windows, and so-on.

Well I realize those days are past and other priorities come into play.  When this car happened into my path, I thought this would be my chance to play again.

Time, I know any extra time is hard to come by now days. I think everyone needs to make time to relax and do things you love.  Take the time and get'er-done.

Please click hear to go to the end, for the beginning!

Work in progress.......

I decided to installed a single serpentine belt kit to avoid the old problems with v-belt slippage.  Also I needed to come up with a A/C compressor and mounting hardware which my slave 305 engine didn't have.  I went with GM's part number 12497698.   I'm pleased with the finished setup although several bolts and studs were identified wrong in the kit making it frustrating at times.  At the end everything fit OK and I like the easy access to engine top-end without removing mounting brackets. 

Installed Edelbrock Performer manifold, 650 carb, and filter.

Install a Mallory fuel regulator and -6AN SS fuel lines.

Installed HD flex plate with ARP bolts and I also installed new trans input/output seals. 

Disassembled old motor mounts, cleaned and painted steel shell, then I installed new inserts. Also moved brake lines back and re-secure them to clear V8 motor mounts.

Install new front struts and change out coil springs due to extra weight of the V8 engine swap. 

More help in the shop, Ivan and Destiny going for a short spin in the shop.

Loaded up bird and took to car wash to clean engine compartment and trans tunnel.

Pulled out the four cylinder and trans.

Got some help form Shantel and Flat Stanley in the shop.

Rebuild or replace?

After weighing my options I decided to go with a GM first generation 350V8 with 4-bolt mains, a THM400R7 trans, a carb system, and keeping the 3.73 gears. Being on a tight budget I'm utilizing what I have to work with but, I won't skip on quality. This being my first major build project I'm keeping with what I know and have been around.

Four or eight cylinders?

The blue bird has a four cylinder engine with automatic transmission. It dose run but the four cylinder is weak and the block is a rebuild.     Should-of-had-a-V8!

I purchase a V8 assembly with transmission and hardware to make the L4 to V8 swap from an associate, thanks Chad.

With the encouragement and help of my Better-Half,  we got the engine pulled out of the donor car.

Notice the red iron, two necessary pieces of equipment I needed for this project. I invested in a ATD-7485 engine crane and a ATD-7480 engine stand from Santa Fe Auto & Truck, Larned, KS.

Speaking of drivable, I took a short trip to meet with my son in Hoisington and then on to Russell with my co-pilots Caleb and Taylor.  The car made it back home in one piece and it gave me long list of bird-to-do items.

The Beginning:

Acquired a 1985 Pontiac Firebird Sport Coupe from my daughter, the car is not in the best shape, but I figure this might be the last chance for me to build myself a Street Machine.

The car needs lots of work and TLC. The positive to me is that its drivable.

When I started this page I had a list of items that needed fixed on the car, sense then I have changed my outlook on this project.  Rather than listing problems I would just fix them one at a time working towards the final goal.

Please scroll up to continue.

Top of page.

The End

Resources:

ThirdGen.org - Online Third Generation F-Body (1982-1992) Camaro and Firebird technical resource!

The Garage Journal - A place to talk shop and tools.

Street Thunder -National Street Machine Club.

Hot Rod magazine.

Carquest Tools and Equipment Sale eFlyer.