Thread: Another Pontiac for the firebird

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Originally Posted by rspears

Clearly not a '49! Does the Indian hood ornament have a light? That may have been later that they added illumination.

I just did a "Google" search and it looks like it was an option at least as far back as 1948. Since I was only 5 at the time I don't remember the lighted ones until about 1953 when I was 10 and becoming interested in cars amongst other things.

A big thanks to NTFday for the pixels posting.

I'm thinking the bumpers and grille need complete replacement. These pics don't show it, but they are in very poor condition, hence the paint.

But, I will be focusing on electrical and the heater first.

Does it have a stand alone heater tucked under the corner of the dash on the right side?

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Heater box is centered.

Today I dropped the dash and peeked at the wires.

Removed several wires which had been disconnected and taped off.

I don't like what they did with grounds. I loosened and tightened the ground lugs and got some improvement. The volts Guage is now within about 0.3V.

Fuuel guage still half value. Probably a mismatched sending unit.

Found a loose wire to stereo (yellow) but the stereo still inop.

The cable was removed from the speedometer, but reconnecting it didn't help.

All connections to the SunPro tach were good, so I put it in the garbage, problem solved.

The spot lights don't seem to be hooked up.

When I got caught in the rain, water poured in from the wind shield. I'll pull the glass and seal it with "Through The Roof" silicone sealant. It stays pliable, should work good. The rubber seals are new.

For now, I put it all back together and drove it to family night. Cards and food and libations. Good times.

BTW:

Pixels established.

It happened. Thanks NTFDAY!

wow, that's a fun looking car! Is all the exposed steel noisy?

Lots of road noise, and I feel every pebble.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

Lots of road noise, and I feel every pebble.

Welcome to the world of straight axles, they have a tendency to keep you on your toes, literally. You actually "drive" a straight axle vehicle. I was fortunate enough to drive two of them cross country in my youth, a 40 Ford 2dr sedan from San Diego to Dayton, Ohio in 62 and a 36 Ford 5 window coupe from Dayton, Ohio to Camp Pendleton, Ca. in 64.

You missed something in the first page, it has a complete custom suspension. Heid T fabrication front clip with independent suspension and long trailing arm type rear.

I think the road noise is more related to the very short springs.

Maybe the springs, but I'd be willing to bet all the bushings are urethane or even aluminum. Even the nylon bushings I've got seem to transmit a lot of noise into the chassis.

Originally Posted by 34_40

Maybe the springs, but I'd be willing to bet all the bushings are urethane or even aluminum. Even the nylon bushings I've got seem to transmit a lot of noise into the chassis.

I don't see how the length of springs could contribute to road noise other than bottoming out. I agree with Mike, your bushings are likely worn out, or their material is supporting transmission of the road noise.

I have polyurethane/plastic bushings in the front end of Rita. I hate them with a fire of a thousand Suns. They transfer everything from the ground to the steering wheel. I'm hoping to find a rubber replacement for them this winter.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

You missed something in the first page, it has a complete custom suspension. Heid T fabrication front clip with independent suspension and long trailing arm type rear.

I think the road noise is more related to the very short springs.

Yes. I guess I did. As most of the folks on this site are aware, I'm not a big fan of IFS on straight axle vehicles especially fenderless roadsters and coupes.

"..... I hate them with a fire of a thousand Suns......."

And don't forget the squeaks if they are non-greaseable. Only took me doing one car with them to go back to rubber (with a very few exception along the way.


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