(73 questions) Its long but should be better

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(73 questions) Its long but should be better

(9 posts)

feedback33

Senior Member
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 64

So I guess the last posting was a bit random in question! I had typed out a long in-depth question, and when I went to post it, the screen ended up failing and I lost it all (this has happened a few times to me) I am typing this in a notepad program right now just in case it happens again and I can cut and paste it.

Sorry for the confusion on the last, I guess the best way I can explain my situation is. I have some money I would like to spend on my car. I have a few ideas so far and quite a few questions I would like to ask. I will break them all down and have pictures that reference the exact questions.

Question 1

I have a lot of wires and plugs that are just hanging around under my hood. I have no idea what they go to and figured I would ask. they don't seem to matter because the car runs and drives with no issues without them plugged in.

The first pic is on the driver's side of the block. There is a wiring harness that goes along the valve cover and these wires are coming out of that harness.

(The plugs are on the right side of the pic sitting on the sway bar.)

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05708-1.jpg

Same problem different location. This one is on the passenger side of the engine and under the distributer.

(plugs are in my fingers)

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05710-1.jpg

Lastly there is a hose that is plugged into a wire and the hose goes nowhere, any idea what this is and where it goes?

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05709-1.jpg

Question 2

I have a leak. There is water coming into my car when it rains. My best guess is that it is coming in through the firewall somehow. Is there anything I can buy and replace to fix this?

I'm sure most people have no idea without looking at it, but im hopeing that there is something going on that is common?

These next pics show the carpet and the mushrooms growing in the floor.

(passenger side)

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05703-1.jpg

(under the dash on passenger's side)

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05704-1.jpg

(drivers side)

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05705-1.jpg

This is what the underside of the front window currently looks like (2pics)

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05706-1.jpg

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05707-1.jpg

Question 3

Any ideas or things I can buy for the trunk area also leaking water.

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05711-1.jpg

Question 4

Rear window dash, can I buy a new part for this?

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05712-1.jpg

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/feedback33/wwfirebird/?action=view&current=DSC05713-1.jpg

by the "Any ideas" posting i made a few days ago. I was only asking in what direction i should proceed. I would hate to spend a bunch of money on something i shouldnt. I'm not sure where to look for re manufactured parts or options like carpets, weather seals dash trim and so on?

Thank you for any pointers and please take your time with me. I have not been able to even think about my car in years because of finances and im really excited now that im going to be able to afford some new stuff.

Oh ya, I need a tranny aswell. a Muncie would be amazing. (as soon as i install that 467, I will explode my stock sagnaw, im told) anyone got one? I would love to pick up a used Tremec but i was never able to find one used online

Take care everyone,
Cory Smith

1973 firebird, stock 350. soon to be a 467, with a formula hood

Posted 2 years ago #
BOPGuy

Admin Dude
Joined: Jan '10
Posts: 118

I'll have to look closer at the pics, but I can comment on the Muncie thing. I have one (maybe 2) that will end up being unused when I'm done. I'm going from a 4-speed in my '73 Bird to a TH400 so it will go down the track faster. I'm not sure what I have exactly--I'd have to run some numbers to know if they are close-ratio or wide-ratio.

As for parts, Year One and OPGI come to mind. Evergreen Muscle Car in Auburn re-sells a lot of those parts (from OPGI, etc), so if you want to pay a little more and buy locally, then you can go there. Bob is the guy to talk to (and he's a talker too!).

BOP = BMW, Olds, & Pontiac
Past: countless BMWs, Cutlass's, Birds, GTOs, Caddys, VWs, & Jeeps
Present: a 3, a 7, a 442, a GTO, a Bird, & a jet boat--some even run!
Future: '87 BMW 325 V8 & '73 Drag Bird

Posted 2 years ago #
frmula400

Moderator
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 126

Howdy Cory, As far as the questions go; #1 First pic, not sure where that plug goes. On the #2 pic, the blue wire with the rubber end is for your oil sending unit, which is on the oil filter housing. Most of the time people throw out the original sending unit if the go with a manual oil pressure gauge. Brown wires not sure, maybe something to do with the HVAC? Question 2 the leaks could come from a few places, but most likely the windshield. Have you removed anything from under the dash, like the gauge cluster to see if the housings are majorly rusted? And for question #3, try replacing the trunk weather-stripping. But water can be leaking in from the rear window too. Trunk weather strip is fairly cheap and easy to install. Bob at Evergreen in Auburn has the weather strip on the shelve. Jeff D

Posted 2 years ago #
BOPGuy

Admin Dude
Joined: Jan '10
Posts: 118

The first few pics were the only ones I've looked at so far, and the first thing that came to mind on the very first pic was an external voltage regulator. Your alternator is an internally regulated model, but way back in the day, they used to have external regulators. I think they were usually mounted on the firewall, but I think I've seen them on the driver's side inner fender as well (toward the top--near where your front brace is).

I'm not sure when the switch was made from external regulators to internal regulators, but if it was after 1973, then that could be why those wires are there. I notice that your alternator connection has been spliced in too. This would also support the theory that the connector used to be a different style.

Just a thought...

BOP = BMW, Olds, & Pontiac
Past: countless BMWs, Cutlass's, Birds, GTOs, Caddys, VWs, & Jeeps
Present: a 3, a 7, a 442, a GTO, a Bird, & a jet boat--some even run!
Future: '87 BMW 325 V8 & '73 Drag Bird

Posted 2 years ago #
feedback33

Senior Member
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 64

bop- I personally did the splicing myself because the wire broke inside the original plug for the alternator. is there any where I could get a diagram of what it is suppose to look like?

frmula400-is the oil sending unit necessary? and how would I know if this swap has been in fact been done?
As for replacement of the windshield/ rear window should I get anything done prior to the replacement?

bop- yes please I would love to know wich one would work better for me and what you would be willing to let it go for, keep me posted :) thanks for the names of shops
You guys all rock
Thanks,
Cory

1973 firebird, stock 350. soon to be a 467, with a formula hood

Posted 2 years ago #
BOPGuy

Admin Dude
Joined: Jan '10
Posts: 118

I just did a quick search and found this:

http://www.classiccarwiring.com/pontiac.php

Looks like they are the ones on eBay as well. I've never dealt with them before, but having a good wiring diagram can be a big help sometimes.

As for the oil pressure sending unit, if your car didn't come with real (rally?) gauges, then that sending unit is just an 'on/off' relay to operate a dummy light when you have like close to ZERO pressure.

Most people have swapped out dummy lights for real gauges--usually after-market ones, although some cars had optional rally gauges in them that actually gave you information rather than a dummy light. A lot of those that you buy in retail stores are 'mechanical' gauges (not electrical) which will have a little plastic tube with oil running through it from the sending unit tap (at the oil filter) through the firewall and to the gauge at the dash. As with any gauge, it doesn't affect the operation of the car until it matters most. If you have a functional oil pressure gauge, then those wires aren't necessary and have been abandoned.

Regarding the transmissions, one of them I have has had work done on it (disassembled, reassembled, new case, etc) and I'll want more for that one. The receipt I have for the work is for just under $1000, and I think I'd want $1500 for it in order to let it go (basically getting reimbursed for the work on it plus selling the trans for $500).

The other one I have is the one out of my Firebird. I doubt it came in the car since the car's got a column-shift auto bezel and I assume that the car was a factory auto car. That one shifted great until the motor died (being rebuilt and almost done), and I'll probably be asking about $1K for that one. I may be high on my numbers, but that's what they are worth to me instead of putting them into other projects that I have (and I've got LOTS of projects). You can probably get one that is all beat up from some guy you don't know online for less, but that's the chance you take.

I'm not 100% that both ones I have are Muncies, so I'd have to check and make sure. The one I have which was broken down and rebuilt is out of a 1980 Corvette that I parted out. I bought it from the guy that wrecked it...it was a factory 4-speed car...

I also have a factory 4-speed in my '69 GTO, but I haven't decided to part it out (and probably won't). The car is a pretty complete car and would make a good restoration candidate. If someone bought the car and had other plans for the drivetrain (like an LSx motor with a T56 or something) then the trans would be left over.

If you're going bowling today at 2:00pm, then maybe we can talk about it then. I'll be there...

BOP = BMW, Olds, & Pontiac
Past: countless BMWs, Cutlass's, Birds, GTOs, Caddys, VWs, & Jeeps
Present: a 3, a 7, a 442, a GTO, a Bird, & a jet boat--some even run!
Future: '87 BMW 325 V8 & '73 Drag Bird

Posted 2 years ago #
feedback33

Senior Member
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 64

Right on man, thank you for the wiring diagram link, sold
Also im not sure about the tranny thing I was talking with the guys from classic Chevy 5 speed and they quoted me around 3k or something ill prolly spring for that if it costs that much for a used/rebuilt one, but thanks for the insight. I 100% want to change the idiot lights in my car, so that's a project I want to get into.

Should I do that before or after the engine swap?

1973 firebird, stock 350. soon to be a 467, with a formula hood

Posted 2 years ago #
frmula400

Moderator
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 126

Howdy Cory, the switch to internal regulators was 1970. Early 1970 built Firebirds had external regulators and later built birds had internal, so all Firebirds 1971 and later were internal voltage regulated. BOP guy is about right on everything else, and prices on the trannys are right on! If you want to go old school, you can get the rally guages on line. But alot of guys like mechanical guages over electrical gauges becuase they are usually more accurate, and if your going to put the big motor in, new autometer guages look great! and you can install them right in your dash face plate with a little modifcation. And if you have an AC car and its not working and your not planning on using it, you don't have to drill any hole in the dash face plate because you can use the round vent holes already there. Also you will want to spring for the copper tubing for you oil pressure guage, because if you ever take it the the track and see how she goes, you can't get past the safety checks with plastic line.

Posted 2 years ago #
BOPGuy

Admin Dude
Joined: Jan '10
Posts: 118

Yep, all great points. Also good to know about the timing of the switch to internal regulators. I've had 68/69 cars and I've had mid-70's cars. I knew the switch was somewhere in between, but wasn't sure exactly. I've never owned a 70-73 car until my Firebird, but that one is totally different from what I'd expect from a stock car anyway--too many mods.

My goal is to have it up and running and broken in by the dyno day before our show in August. I seriously hope it doesn't take that long to get mine on the road, but I have to be realistic with a couple other active projects going on at the same time. After all, to go another boating season without my boat project on the water will kill me. I had a left-over T/A graphics kit that never made it onto my T/A, and I'm planning to use it on the bow of my jet boat. I've also got a pair of Firebird sail panel graphics destined for the rear sides of the boat. It's going to be an Olds-powered jet boat with Firebird graphics on a stock BMW metallic paint (the same paint as what I used on my '68 442). It's sort of a tribute to my manufacturers of choice. Sorry, got a little off-topic.

As for the trans, I think you'll spend about a grand on whatever you find that's halfway decent. Bump that up to $1500 and you're getting something that's been gone-through a little bit, and double that yet again to $3K and you're in the money. It all depends on your budget. I'm actually having to sacrifice slightly on my trans in order to do some other things that I think are more important (on a different project actually). I figure if my rebuilt '69 GTO trans doesn't hold up in my Firebird that I can swap it out anytime...although I think most any rebuilt TH400 should hold up as long as I don't abuse it too bad.

BOP = BMW, Olds, & Pontiac
Past: countless BMWs, Cutlass's, Birds, GTOs, Caddys, VWs, & Jeeps
Present: a 3, a 7, a 442, a GTO, a Bird, & a jet boat--some even run!
Future: '87 BMW 325 V8 & '73 Drag Bird

Posted 2 years ago #