1978 Pontiac Firebird Week 2009 04 12

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 Front_Clip_P4110036_small We had a great turn out of the Car Nuts this week. We had two meetings this week. Even with that I will not make opening day.
We had (left to right) Don Goodman, Bill Sablosky, Ken Long, George Nick (by a head), Vince Falco, Richard Yellen (you can just see his head next to Frank Serafine’s elbow .

We got The front clip on, sifter bolted in, weight reduction done on the front bumper, some wiring done, and the radiator set in place, and we got the correct transmission cooling lines.
 Missing_Ratches_P4110035_small One of the problems we had with the good turnout was tools. We were always short of tools. This is George Nick who could never find any ratchets. I think we found where they were.
 Trans_Lines_P4080025_small We were able to put the front clip on because Right Stuff figured out why Classic Industries said we had the correct lines but they did not fit. Classic Industries sent us lines for a GM 400, not a Pontiac 403.
We wanted to get these installed before the front clip because they are so much easier to install when there is no radiator or front clip in the way.
 Trans_Lines_P4080027_small  Trans_Lines_P4080029_small
 Front_Clip_P4110026_small The first task was the biggest. The front clip has been sitting in my back yard all winter. It has now become time to put it back were it belongs.
 Front_Clip_P4110028_small No, that is not where it belongs. But in this shot you can see the person that was hiding in the first shot of the group. Dick Yellen is clearly visible on the right in this shot. He gave me a hard time all day about no donuts. We severed Subs from Rubino’s and he still wanted donuts. I promised to have donuts next weekend, but he says he cannot come.
 Front_Clip_P4110029_small Weight reduction! The inner fender wells must come off before we put the clip on the car.
 Front_Clip_P4110033_small  Front_Clip_P4110034_small
Here we go, what do you think?
 Front_Clip_P4110042_small  Front_Clip_P4110043_small
Now that the front clip is on we have to take the nose off and cut way some metal on the front bumper bracing.
 Bumper_Weight_Reduction_P4110001_small Nose back on with the bumper bracing removed. We thought about just leaving the vinyl nose on with no bracing but then thought better of it.
 Bumper_Weight_Reduction_P4110002_small Here is all the bracing behind the nose. It must weigh 50 pounds. Lets see what we can cut away and still leave enough to hold the nose in place, the marker lights and the hood release.
Well I think we succeded in cutting away a good portion of the weight.
 Bumper_Weight_Reduction_P4110003_small  Bumper_Weight_Reduction_P4110004_small
The new weight reduced bumper bracket did not fit into the powder coat oven so we had to paint it. The brackets for the bumper did fit so we powder coated them.
 Bumper_Weight_Reduction_P4120005_small  Bumper_Weight_Reduction_P4120006_small
 Bumper_Weight_Reduction_P4120007_small  Bumper_Weight_Reduction_P4120008_small
 Raditor_Set_Inplace_P4120010_small We set the radiator in place just to make us feel good.
 Seat_P4080015_small Time to have a place to sit! We need the seat in place to find the location for the shifter. We need the shifter to install the wiring for the natural safety switch and the transmission brake.
 Seat_P4080016_small We need to build a strong base because the driver weighs too MUCH!
 Seat_P4080020_small  Seat_P4080022_small
 Seat_P4080030_small Of course we have to powder coat the stuff so that it looks pretty. I wonder what is with all this red powder coat?
 Seat_P4080031_small  Seat_P4080038_small
Now that the seat is in place we can locate and install the shifter. I wonder what is going on with manufactures these days. They just cannot seem to make stuff to fit. I bought the shifter, installation bracket and cover all from Hurst, and you guessed it they did not fit together when we unpacked them. well the guy in that red shirt took care of that! Note the button on the steering wheel. That will control the transmission brake and the low RPM limiter.
 Shifter_P4110038_small  Shifter_P4120011_small
And finally we made some progress on the wiring. Matt, I am thinking we will be ready to fire this coming Saturday!
 Wiring_P4050008_small  Wiring_P4080032_small
 Wiring_P4080033_small  Wiring_P4080034_small
 Wiring_P4100024_small We have lights. I know you are only required to have on red light going down the track once the track lights are on, but I purchased LED lights so I have very low current draw. I just could not have one light; it did not balance.