1978 Pontiac Firebird Week 2009 12 05

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Ok, first off let me explain why this page is here in the dragster build. The engine that was in the Firebird will be the engine that goes into the FED. I need to sell the Firebird to create space for the dragster. To sell the Firebird in needs to have an engine. I purchased an engine (Pontiac 400) and transmission of e-bay in New Castle New York. That engine went to Matt’s (Pro-Formance Specialties) and it was rebuilt with a balanced crank, forged rods and pistons, Ram Air III heads etc. That engine will go into the Firebird for sale

In the elapsed time since the last update the engine in the Firebird has been pulled (so has the front clip). The transmission was separated from the engine and that transmission and the one purchased in New Castle went to Competition Transmission and Converters. The one from the Firebird has been gone through, a new reverse valve body has been installed and will be saved. This should fix the transmission brake problem I had last racing season.  The one that was purchased in New Castle has been rebuilt with a 36 tooth sprag unit, a shift kit installed and will be installed into the Firebird for sale.

So this effort directly effects the progress of the dragster.

Keith Burgan of Roo Man MotorSports has had a family emergency and is returning to Australia for two weeks.  He is planning on returning to the States December 24th. When he gets back he still has about a week’s worth of work to do on Chris’s dragster chassis before it can come out of the frame jig. Once that happens mine will be started. My plan is to go visit about every two weeks once it is started

I have come to the conclusion, after much discussion and arm twisting that the dragster should have a PowerGlide Transmission. It is being built by Rutland Transmission Service in Spring Texas. The builder has come down with the flue. It was to have been completed last Wednesday and shipped to Keith. It will now be shipped next Wednesday.

So now you are up to speed with updates. This Saturday we had another meeting of the Car Nuts. In attendance was Don Schafer, Tom Deyle, Len Ball, Jim Boehly, and Donald Goodman. This is what took place. The Firebird was removed from the garage across the street and pushed up my driveway into the garage (steep driveway). It was jacked up and put on blocks.

The engine fresh from Matt’s shop was prepared for installation into the Firebird.

The engine and rebuilt transmission along with a new 4000 RPM stall 10 inch convertor were bolted together and slipped into the Firebird
Next step will be to remove the MSD box, hook up the HEI that will be going with the car, set up a belt system, install an alternator, put the front clip on and get the car on the market. But, now we need to pull out our secret weapon and start practicing out reaction times.All are welcome for these practice sessions. We would not want to take unfair advantage.
Well now it is time to clean up the aftermath.