Recent Posts

1

Second Generation 1970-1981 / Re: Fuel and brake line clamps

« Last post by wheels78ta on Today at 10:05:04 AM »

Hmmmmmm..........if I can convince the wife......Nah....she won't go for it.

But on the other hand.....I've read where it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. 

2

Projects & Restorations / Re: 77TA Resto Reboot - a long journey to an LS swap

« Last post by stros on Today at 08:50:29 AM »

Thanks Brian.  I actually ordered a replacement socket already. 

The OER tach gauge is the one for the 1977.  Not going to spend another $360 on another one.
https://www.jegs.com/i/OER/691/5659065/10002/-1

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Projects & Restorations / Re: 77TA Resto Reboot - a long journey to an LS swap

« Last post by b_hill_86 on Today at 08:37:44 AM »

So, is that OER tach the 79-81 version (function, not font) or is it the earlier version jist with a quartz clock? It’s too bad you have a 77. I have a nice set of 79 gauges. I may have that secondary gauge bulb socket if you want one.

4

Lobby / Re: Things that annoy you on these cars

« Last post by b_hill_86 on Today at 08:16:00 AM »

Just a product of the nose change?

5

Lobby / Things that annoy you on these cars

« Last post by Wallington on Today at 03:12:10 AM »

In a world where everything annoys me, here's another one that I remembered when looking through some pics.

Why....could they not mount the radiator support to nosecone top brackets straight on 79-81 models??!

Wonky brackets 79-81!!

https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/q4-1.jpg


1974 managed to have them neat and tidy!

https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2023/08/1974-Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-Am-Super-Duty-455-7.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=1024


1977 worked it out!

https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/rkm/1/3114/207198/1920x1440/w/1977-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-se.webp


Guh!! Stop it!!

https://res2.grays.com/handlers/imagehandler.ashx?t=sh&id=32587636&s=fl&index=0&ts=637655883240000000

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Second Generation 1970-1981 / Re: Fuel and brake line clamps

« Last post by Wallington on May 31, 2024, 10:19:13 PM »

Thanks. It didn't come out how I'd originally planned but will work just fine and many times better than simply hanging there like the previous 30 years.
I had to rebend one end when it was found my replacement floor was much flatter than original and with a slight twist. I might lose points when the judges notice. Good chance I won't own it much longer, everything has to go.

Just the oven in the Kitchen. Car parts smell like Banana cake, Roast dinners smell like epoxy.

And for anyone that cares, the mastic sealing washers were by AMK, I found that NPD were good for stocking much of their range. I have about 4 sizes that were commonly used by GM on these cars, between trunk and spoiler parts, behind bumper brackets to trunk, marker lights and brake lights to trunk etc.

https://www.amkproducts.com/bulk-fasteners-listing/?codeforlookup=8430

7

Projects & Restorations / Re: 1978 Y88 Restoration

« Last post by wheels78ta on May 31, 2024, 08:42:29 PM »

Motor and tranny are installed.  Tranny is being held up on a jack stand waiting for the crossmember to go in.  Maybe tomorrow. 

All I can say is............Wow.   

The excitement continues.

8

Second Generation 1970-1981 / Re: Fuel and brake line clamps

« Last post by wheels78ta on May 31, 2024, 08:35:51 PM »

Nice job Ben. 

What type of oven are you baking these in?

9

Projects & Restorations / Re: 77TA Resto Reboot - a long journey to an LS swap

« Last post by stros on May 31, 2024, 08:32:46 PM »

Pics of the new grills on the kick panel speakers that clear the parking brake much better and also included a pic of the DSP windows app in case you’re interested (this is a generic image not my current settings).

10

Projects & Restorations / Re: 77TA Resto Reboot - a long journey to an LS swap

« Last post by stros on May 31, 2024, 08:13:09 PM »

The stereo project is done.  As mentioned in another thread I also decided to swap out my center dash speakers.  That was a bit of an effort but in the end not that bad.  Added two 4” Infinity reference speakers to the dash in addition to the 6.5s in the kick panels and 6x9s in the rear deck mentioned earlier. 

I still have the JBL Fuse split subwoofers hidden in the trunk with the dedicated SSL amp ($90 1000 watt 2 channel amp off Amazon). 

I added a new JBL 8 channel DSP amp to power the 6 new speakers.  Using 6 of the channels as it doesn’t have enough power for my subs.  A pretty good deal for <$300.  The DSP allows you to specifically tune every single speaker separately.  Given the unconventional speaker setup it’s really great at allowing me to put different amounts of power to each speaker so they sound better together.  It’s a bit complicated to dial in but I think I’m happy with my settings now.  I’ll continue to fiddle with it. 

The DSP amp has no presets and it has to be adjusted using a windows laptop.  Would’ve been nice to adjust it on your phone instead. 

I have a couple of issues I decided to deal with some other time - my quartz clock died again…it was working fine before I removed it.  It’s a repop Classic Industries tach that I’ve had replaced under warranty due to the last clock dying.  This one lasted a few years.  It seems super fragile.  I’m going to live with it not working.  Maybe an excuse to go with digital gauges for a future project.  My light socket behind the fuel/battery gauge - which wasn’t working earlier - also completely snapped off when I was trying to replace the bulb.