Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 27 total)
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  • #4745
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    This wicked 1971 Pontiac Firebird is wearing a deep blue flame job, but the owner felt it needed more fire under the hood. He sent the car, a T56 5-speed transmission, and a fresh E-85 burning 468 cube Pontiac stroker to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop to install to fix all that. The new mill runs at 11.4:1 compression thanks to the alcohol in E-85, which is the best fuel the owner can get in his neighborhood.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4881
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    This project came into our shop already wearing a flamed paint job that the owner did not want to change. However, he did want to improve the performance and the level of detail under the hood. The owner supplied a 468 in.³ Pontiac V8 that we were to install, and retrofit the fuel system to operate on E 85 fuel.

    The crew wrapped to the entire vehicle in 3M protective adhesive backed to paper so they would not damage the paint.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4882
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    They removed the front wheels, drained all the fluids, and disconnected the wiring. Then, they removed the entire front clip of the vehicle in essentially one piece so that they had better access to the engine, firewall, and subframe.


     
    Once we remove the front sheet metal, it was obvious that the firewall needed help. It was green in color, and was a complete mess.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4883
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Under the car, the crew removed the original fuel lines in preparation for the oversized lines required by the E85 conversion.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4884
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Next, they removed the front subframe, and stripped the paint from the firewall. After some minor bodywork, the firewall was seam sealed and coated with satin black paint.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4885
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The subframe was media blasted and inspected.

    The main welds were reinforced, and the front sway bar holes were drilled out and grade 8 nuts were TIG welded in place. This repaired the stripped out holes in the frame and added a much stronger attachment point for the sway bar mount.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4886
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Next, the subframe was epoxy primed and painted a satin black. It was reinstalled on the body to check the fit of the new crossmember and subframe connectors.

    Then, the subframe was removed and the entire bottom of the car one strip to prepare for paint and undercoating. This was originally a California car, so the bottom side was not rusty.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4887
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Once the bottom side was stripped and prepped, the car was masked and the bottom side was sprayed with black epoxy and a 3M Body Schutz undercoat.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4888
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The front suspension components were cleaned, and the steering box was painted. Then the detailed front Global West suspension components were installed on the subframe, along with a new transmission crossmember.

    Next, the freshly rebuilt Pontiac 468 was prepared for installation on to the subframe.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4889
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    A Tremec TKO 600 5-speed manual transmission and clutch were bolted to the engine.

    The engine and transmission were bolted into the subframe, ready for installation on the body.

    The body was then lowered onto the subframe and the engine, transmission, and subframe assembly were attached to it.


    .

    Kevin Oeste

    #5466
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The E-85 conversion necessitated a new fuel tank, as E-85 is very corrosive and will release any gum and varnish from the original tank, potentially perpetually clogging fuel filters and carb jets.

    Plus there is a cool factor in a Rick’s stainless tank!

    Kevin Oeste

    #5467
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Front stub coming together…

    The Pro Systems E-85 tuned carb

    Plumbing the CPP master cylinder and Hydratech hydraulic booster with custom stainless lines

    Kevin Oeste

    #5547
    Mike Clarke
    Keymaster

    Cool project. I can tell this was done at the V8TV shop Ver 1.0. I still can’t believe the size that place was.

    #5550
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Yep, it was a small place that did some big things!

    Kevin Oeste

    #5552
    Mike Clarke
    Keymaster

    Absolutely! Well said.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 27 total)
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