Thread: 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula-Update- 5/9/2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

that tranny tail shaft looks to be the long one. not sure if the cross member will line up right with it or not. there should be a few sets of holes in the frame. maybe one set will line up right. if not you'll need the short shaft.

some thing to look up maybe. its been a while for me on this old stuff.


5 large to go lol thats the hard part to eat.

Yeah ill have to cut the driveshaft about 4 inches. I like the Lexus Blue color but I dont think it will match the red interior.

you sure about the tailshaft? looks like a short shaft to me, but nice score on the engine.

i should really get back to work on my 73 grand am 455/4speed project

Originally Posted by redlinepontiac

you sure about the tailshaft? looks like a short shaft to me, but nice score on the engine.

i should really get back to work on my 73 grand am 455/4speed project

Ill have to look into that tail shaft , the engine came out of a 73 grand am he wants to get rid of the body now so if you need parts this car had everything.

Its a short shaft th400 but its not a big deal the driveshaft for it is long enough to be cut and rewelded to fit the firebird's differential .

The Short shaft '400 is what he needs.

this would be the long shaft, this should be one of them, There are 3 different lengths to the TH400 tail-shafts. 4'' 9'' 13''



the shortest one is what you want. like this.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

this would be the long shaft, this should be one of them, There are 3 different lengths to the TH400 tail-shafts. 4'' 9'' 13''



the shortest one is what you want. like this.

I have the short shaft transmission then ... owner is said to be the long shaft

I'd just slap it together and rock it like it sits. Maybe a rattle can flat black paint job.

Originally Posted by dsmuts

I'd just slap it together and rock it like it sits. Maybe a rattle can flat black paint job.

Dont you think the engine and transmission will need a full rebuilt before inserting in car? Car sat for 29 years

you could just buy some marvel mystery oil, dump it into all the cylinders and work the engine over by hand to clear any rust from the cylinders.

pull the plugs, they will tell a story all their own lol

if it runs ok, theres money your saving till you really want to rebuild it.

I'd at least try it out first. I've got cars to run that have sat about that long.

taking the valve covers off will also tell a good story. if the rockers and the top of the heads are coated with old burnt on oil and sludge. just rebuild it.

Pulled the plugs and they look clean , I was able to turn the engine after putting some wd 40 in there. I will the oil actually looks pretty good.

if it looks like this under the vc's just rebuild it. its a guarantied smoker if it runs.

Pulled the plugs and they look clean , I was able to turn the engine after putting some wd 40 in there. I will the oil actually looks pretty good.

Ill take a pic and post it

Well I took off the valve cover and this..







It looks better and smells better than my GTP when I did LIM job

Also I cleaned the interior and trunk, much better it just needs some love and attention

Before

Interior






After








Trunk was a mess filled with parts







After cleaning and putting all parts in a box

dude you got a good engine there, its almost spot less. and like you said, its also cleaner then my regals rockers for sure lol.

those back seats come out rather easy, the front are also easy. that way you can take the rug out, clean it, then take all the plastic off and clean or repaint it all nice.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

dude you got a good engine there, its almost spot less. and like you said, its also cleaner then my regals rockers for sure lol.

those back seats come out rather easy, the front are also easy. that way you can take the rug out, clean it, then take all the plastic off and clean or repaint it all nice.

told the wife and that made her happy lol, I will be getting new carpet ,the seats will get reupholstered along with the door panels and dash .

Engine will not get rebuilt but will put just a mild cam and new timing cover since the one it has its a bit rusted other than I should be good. the transmission also looks good.

you could do a compression test right where it sits if you want to make sure its solid all the way around. you just need some jumper cables and a battery to the starter motor, and it will crank over for you.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

you could do a compression test right where it sits if you want to make sure its solid all the way around. you just need some jumper cables and a battery to the starter motor, and it will crank over for you.

I will try doing that thanks