1978 Pontiac Firebird Week Install Fuel Cell and Battery Box 2008 11 22

Click picture to see larger image

Projects for Week 2008 11 15 Part 1

This weekend’s projects were:

Pull the timing chain cover and see if we can identify the cam that is in the engine. Start on the build of the tube frame for the rear bumper cover.   Install of the fuel cell and battery box
 I had the help of Tom Deyle and Len Ball

Even though I had hoped to complete more tasks, there was so much progress that I have divided our successes into three parts.

PB220016_small This is how the car looked before we started this weekend.
Battery_PB220023_small

Here is the story of:  “Move the Battery Box to the Trunk”

The floor in the trunk is not level or smooth. In order to mount the batter level, we need to build a frame for the box to make the box sit level.
Battery_PB220025_small Ok, we have the frame welded together, cleaned up in the sandblast booth and are ready to out gas the metal before powder coat.
Battery_PB220035_small The powder has been applied and is now in the oven to cure.
Battery_PB220036_small Frame is out of the oven.  Powder is cured and ready to be installed in the trunk.  That is the good thing about powder coat.  You can work with it as soon as it cools down after curing in the oven.
Battery_PB220038_small We cleaned the trunk up and drilled four holes to mount the frame.
Battery_PB220039_small Frame is now mounted in the trunk and is level.  I know it does not look level in this picture.  The photographer was a little crooked when he took it.
Battery_PB220040_small Bottom of the battery box installed
Battery_PB220041_small Battery surround installed
Battery_PB220042_small Box is now in the trunk and ready for a battery and wiring.